[pageLogInLogOut]

#Nonwovens

EDANA announces five new board members following 2026 Annual General Meeting

The EDANA Board of Governors is elected or re-elected at the Annual General Meeting by the member companies. The Governors are senior executives (business leaders) from member companies, based in different countries and representing different sectors of the nonwovens industry. The Board has central responsibility for guiding EDANA's overall strategy and approving its policies and priorities. It meets three times a year.

On 17–18 June, EDANA welcomed its members to Brussels for the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Board Meeting. This year, the AGM elected five new Board members, who will join the existing Board for a three-year term running from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2029.

  • Giulia Antonioli will serve as Executive Officer on the EDANA Board. With over 20 years of experience shaping Brand Communication, Reputation, and Advocacy at P&G, Giulia Antonioli brings a rare blend of EU institutional insight (European Commission, Italian Chamber of Commerce in Belgium) and deep consumer industry experience. Since 2019, she has led Europe's Brand Communications, Reputation, and Advocacy for Baby Care.
  • Carles Moix leads Finance for EMEA and Asia at Magnera. A dynamic international executive with a strong track record in manufacturing, packaging, and industrial sectors, he brings deep expertise in P&L leadership, global operations, financial transformation, large-scale restructuring, and cross-border M&A.
  • Robert A. Friedline, Ph.D., leads EMEA Product Development at Kenvue across Women's Health, Skin Health, Oral Care, and more. With over 20 years in global consumer health, he joined Kenvue in February 2022 and has led R&D organisations across the full innovation lifecycle, stewarding brands including o.b®, Carefree®, Neutrogena®, and Listerine®.
  • Brian Udengaard brings over 20 years of nonwovens industry experience, primarily in the hygiene field. Recently joined Nitto Advanced Film Solutions to lead strategic R&D initiatives, where Nitto combines in-house nonwoven production with external technology partnerships.
  • Thomas Peter Schiele is a senior executive and economist (Dr. rer. pol., University of Mannheim) with extensive international leadership across the chemical and materials industry. His career at BASF SE spans VP roles in polymers, energy procurement, paper coating chemicals, and adhesives across Europe, South America, and Asia.

EDANA is pleased to welcome the new Board members, whose expertise and leadership will help guide EDANA as they continue to support and advance the nonwovens industry!

EDANA also extends its sincere thanks to the departing Board members for their dedication, valuable contributions, and service to the association, and wishes them every success in their future endeavours.



More News from EDANA

#Technical Textiles

FILTREX™ India 2026 to bring global filtration leaders together in New Delhi

EDANA, the voice of nonwovens, in partnership with the Business Coordination House (BCH), will welcome filtration professionals from across the world to FILTREX™ India 2026, taking place on 7–8 October 2026 at the Eros Hotel, New Delhi.

#Associations

Sustainability: European industry calls on EU to keep Single-Use Plastics Directive unchanged

A broad coalition of European industry associations, including EDANA, Euratex and Plastics Europe, has urged EU institutions to maintain the current legal framework of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). In a joint statement, the organisations argue that reopening the Directive at this stage would create legal uncertainty, increase regulatory complexity and undermine investment, while its implementation across the European Union is still incomplete.

#Nonwovens

EDANA launches landmark continence report to mark the start of the World Continence Week

Today marks the official commencement of the World Continence Week. To honour this global awareness initiative, EDANA has published a comprehensive report titled "The Central Role of Absorbent Hygiene Products in the Management of Adult Urinary Incontinence: Benefits, Costs and Environmental Impact." The World Continence Week (WCW) is an annual global initiative dedicated to raising public awareness about incontinence and bladder or bowel health issues. Traditionally held in June, this awareness week aims to shed light on a condition that affects millions of people worldwide but is frequently kept secret due to widespread social stigma, embarrassment, and taboo.

#INDEX 2026

INDEX™26: A strong edition in a challenging context, confirming Geneva’s role as a global hub for innovation in the nonwovens sector

EDANA’s INDEX™26, the world’s leading trade fair for nonwovens, co-organised with Palexpo, officially concluded last Friday 22 May with a successful edition. In a context marked by uncertainty and continued pressure, the 2026 edition of INDEX™ concluded successfully. With a diverse range of 625 exhibiting companies from 44 countries, an important number of visitors, and an expanded international reach, the event confirmed its role as a central hub for innovation and a representative showcase of the nonwovens’ ecosystem.

More News on Nonwovens

#Nonwovens

Katharina Obergruber appointed to the Management Board of Sandler AG

The Supervisory Board of Sandler AG has appointed Katharina Obergruber to the company’s Management Board. Effective September 1, 2026, the Board will consist of Philipp Ebbinghaus (CEO), Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (currently CCO, future COO), and Katharina Obergruber (CCO). Katharina Obergruber, currently Chief Sales Officer Hygiene and member of the Management Team of Sandler AG, will assume responsibility for all sales activities as Chief Commercial Officer. She will assume this role from Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, who will focus primarily on production and supply chain topics.

#Functional Fabrics

Ahlstrom launches breathable ChemoGard BVB fabric to enhance protection and comfort in chemotherapy handling

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, announces today the launch of ChemoGard BVB, a breathable protective apparel fabric designed for chemotherapy drug handling in clinical, laboratory, and operating room environments.

#Nonwoven machines

DiloGroup - Complete nonwoven needling line for hygiene materials in the United States

DiloGroup has received an order for a complete needling line designed for the production of hygiene materials in the United States. This project further strengthens our position in the American hygiene sector and reflects the continued demand for reliable, high-performance nonwoven equipment.

#Nonwovens

Lenzing Group highlights scalable, bio-based nonwovens solutions at leading global industry fairs

From CIDPEX in China to Techtextil in Frankfurt and INDEX in Geneva, the Lenzing Group showcases ready-for-market, bio-based nonwoven solutions and receives industry recognition for LENZING™ Nonwoven Technology.

Latest News

#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

EFI Reggiani and Danitech Group announce strategic multi-year agreement for Mezzera textile finishing machinery

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (EFI), through its subsidiary EFI Reggiani (Reggiani Macchine S.p.A.), together with Danitech Engineering and Solutions Srl (Italy) and Suzhou Danitech Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd (China), announces a multi-year license and manufacturing agreement covering the Mezzera and Jaeggli textile finishing machinery portfolio.

#Natural Fibers

The Woolmark Company showcases Australia's commitment to India's textile industry at Bharat Tex 2026

Reinforcing more than five decades of commitment to India's wool textile and apparel industry, The Woolmark Company, alongside Austrade and the Australian High Commission, marked a strong presence at Bharat Tex 2026, one of the world's largest textile and apparel trade platforms. Through industry engagement, strategic collaborations, technical innovation and knowledge exchange, the participation underscored Australia's continued commitment to supporting the growth and transformation of India's textile ecosystem while highlighting the versatility and value of Australian Merino wool.

#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

Dyeing, finishing and singeing expertise now closer than ever to Brazilian customers

Benninger AG from Switzerland and Grupo NS from Brazil announce joined forces to support textile customers across Brazil with a strong portfolio of textile wet processing technologies, practical application know-how, and reliable local service. The cooperation combines Benninger's long-standing engineering expertise in textile finishing and dyeing with Grupo NS's deep understanding of the Brazilian textile market, customer needs, and service requirements.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Rieter and partners launch Recycling Powerhouse for industrial-scale textile recycling

Recycling Powerhouse Ltd. was established in July 2026 to industrialize, standardize and scale textile recycling. Based in Switzerland, the venture will operate a franchise-driven business model that enables the production of high-quality, certified recycled yarns. The project is supported by the following partners: Rieter Group, the world’s leading system supplier for natural and man-made fibers, Säntis Textiles, a Swiss textile engineering company, and Valvan, a Belgian sorting technology company. The first blueprint franchise operation is scheduled to launch early 2027 in partnership with Suhail Industrial Holding Group in Qatar.

TOP