#Nonwovens

2025-12-18

Magnera introduces innovative solution for healthcare and beyond, focusing on safety and sustainability

Magnera, a leading supplier of advanced material solutions, today announced the launch of its next-generation solution for nonwoven textiles. Magnera’s proprietary innovation delivers fluid repellency needed by healthcare professionals and other industries without the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS have been widely used for decades in medical gowns, drapes, and other protective textiles due to their durability and resistance to water, oil, and stains. However, evidence of PFAS persistence in the environment and possible associated health risks has prompted global regulatory action and growing demand for alternatives.

Paul Harmon, Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer at Magnera, said: “Our new solution meets the industry’s stringent standards for protection, comfort, and compliance in articles such as surgical gowns or drapes, while reducing potential pollutants.”

Addressing a Global Challenge

Regulatory bodies worldwide are moving to restrict or reduce PFAS inclusion in manufacturing:

The European Union: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published an updated proposal to restrict PFAS under the REACH regulation. The plan proposes phased bans and possible time-limited exemptions for essential uses, with final opinions expected in 2026 before requested implementation by the European Commission. (European Chemicals Agency, 2025).

United States: Several states—including California, Maine, and Minnesota—have enacted laws banning the addition of PFAS in various consumer products, with some compliance deadlines starting in 2025. These bans target categories such as food packaging, textiles, cookware, and juvenile products. (Safer States, 2024).

As global manufacturers step away from solutions including PFAS, supply shortages and rising costs are accelerating the need for alternatives. Magnera’s innovation delivers a timely, future-ready solution for healthcare providers and other industries navigating this shift.

A Safer, Sustainable Alternative

Magnera’s Groundbreaking Solution Offers:

High-performance fluid repellency without intentionally added PFAS

Comfort and breathability for protective textiles

Alignment with evolving global regulatory trends

Increased Environmental responsibility

ENDURANCE Program: Driving operational sustainability at Magnera

As Magnera enters a new year, the company is reflecting on a key sustainability milestone from 2025: the launch of ENDURANCE, its global, employee-led initiative focused on waste reduction and sustainable innovation. Launched on Earth Day 2025, this initiative has generated more than 250 improvement submissions from team members across Magnera’s global operations, demonstrating strong engagement and shared accountability for sustainability across the organization.

Magnera’s Sontara® brand wins INDA’s® Long-Life Achievement Award at IDEA® 25

Sontara®’s EcoRE bags, now part of the Magnera® portfolio, recently received the IDEA® Long-Life Achievement Award at IDEA 25, the premier global event for nonwovens and engineered fabrics. Made from cellulosic fibers, Sontara EcoRE material is certified for home composting1 and boasts exceptional strength and durability.

EDANA warns of consequences of misclassification of PET spunbond imports

EDANA would like to remind its members and industry stakeholders of the legal requirement to comply with the EU rules on customs classification when importing nonwovens from third countries outside the EU. In this regard, it was recently discovered that there appears to be a high level of customs misclassification occurring in our industry. This could have dangerous and costly consequences for importers.

INDEX™ unveils the first selection of product presentations

A mosaic showcasing several speakers from the Exhibitor Product Presentations at INDEX™26 A comprehensive programme of company presentations will take place across the three days of the INDEX™26 exhibition at Geneva Palexpo, reflecting many aspects of the ongoing transition to sustainable materials through polymer and additives design, fibre engineering and new finishing chemistries.

RETECH showcases high-precision godets for high-performance fiber processing at Techtextil 2026

RETECH designs and manufactures godets and draw frames for heated, ambient and cooled processes, enabling precise heat treatment and consistently high yarn quality for a wide range of polymers and applications, with process temperatures of up to 400 °C for high-performance fibers. The company’s key competence lies in exact and stable temperature and speed control, individually adapted to the specific material and process requirements.

BW Converting expands Southeast Asian presence with new agency partnerships in Vietnam and Indonesia

BW Converting is strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia through new agency partnerships in Vietnam and Indonesia, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting textile manufacturers across the region. The expansion comes as BW Converting prepares to exhibit at SaigonTex 2026 (April 8–11, Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) and INDO INTERTEX 2026 (April 15–18, Jakarta International Expo, Indonesia).