The nonwovens exhibition Index 26 concluded on May 22 in Geneva. Organized by Edana in cooperation with Palexpo, the event brought together 625 exhibitors from 44 countries across 50,000 square meters of exhibition space and recorded 11,452 visits over four days.
According to the organizers, the exhibition highlighted the nonwovens sector’s ongoing transformation towards high-tech, durable, and sustainable solutions, confirming Geneva’s role as an international hub for innovation.
Sustainability and performance as a shared objective
A central theme of Index 26 was the integration of environmental responsibility and technical excellence. Exhibitors presented new production technologies designed to increase throughput and produce finer fibers while placing greater emphasis on recyclability and circular design.
Reducing carbon footprints was highlighted as an increasingly important performance indicator throughout the value chain. Several exhibitors showcased new material solutions intended to replace more complex, multi-layer structures. Developments also included protective textiles designed to meet new safety requirements without the use of PFAS.
Seminar program addresses industry challenges
The seminar program focused on sustainability, circular economy policies, mobility, infrastructure, and supply chain developments. Further topics included advanced filtration technologies, regulatory developments, public funding opportunities, and the impact of geopolitical events on plastics markets.
“The Index 26 seminar program and product presentations showcased developments demonstrating how companies are achieving a competitive edge by going beyond regulatory compliance. It showed that it is vitally important for companies to adapt and be agile to successfully master new market challenges such as the Iranian and other crises”, said Pieter Meijer, Chairman of the Index Advisory Board.
The organizers also introduced the immersive experience “Nonwovens: In Every Layer of Life”, designed to illustrate the role of nonwoven materials in everyday applications and modern society.
Looking ahead to Index 29
“Index 26 has demonstrated how innovation in the industry is now being driven by global collaboration. The synergy between automated machinery, smart chemistry, and extreme weight reduction has pointed to a promising direction for a more efficient, circular manufacturing landscape. We are already looking forward to Index 29 (15-18 May 2029) to discuss the latest developments”, said Murat Dogru, General Manager of Edana.
