In just over a month, from 19 to 22 May 2026, 620 exhibitors from 44 countries will be gathering in Geneva at Palexpo. INDEX™26 is set to demonstrate that the future of technical materials will
be shaped by an increasingly collaborative supply chain. This year’s edition goes beyond individual
breakthroughs to show how integrated efforts across the entire value chain enhance the performance,
sustainability, and value of nonwoven solutions.
Magali Fakhry Dufresne, Director of INDEX™, stated: “INDEX™26 takes place at a decisive moment for the
nonwovens industry. Sustainability and performance are no longer seen as separate goals; they now form a single, unified mission. As we look around the exhibition and observe the product presentations this year, it is clear that the most impactful innovations are the result of a supply chain that is more integrated and collaborative than ever before. Our seminar programme reflects this evolution, offering visitors much more than just technical updates. Thanks to high-calibre speakers, it provides a strategic roadmap through the complexities of global regulation and market shifts. We invite all participants to join these events and our new immersive experience to see how nonwovens truly shape every aspect of modern life.”
Strategic insights in a comprehensive seminar programme
The INDEX™26 seminar programme (19–21 May) provides participants with the key insights they need to
navigate an increasingly complex industrial landscape. Murat Dogru, General Manager of EDANA, the voice of nonwovens, stated: “The nonwovens industry is undergoing a profound transformation, and INDEX™26 will serve as our collective strategic compass. Our programme acts as a practical roadmap; by combining technical, regulatory, and financial intelligence, we ensure participants leave Geneva with the specific tools required to turn overcapacity and shifting mandates into high-performance, sustainable growth.”
Jacques Prigneaux (EDANA) will open the programme with “Strategic Market Insights”, utilising exclusive
data to deliver an overview of the dynamics redefining sectors from hygiene and wipes to filtration and
construction. This is followed by the first-of-its-kind seminar, “Global Gateways: How to tap into public
funding across regions”. Led by Al Gordon (National Strategies) and Floortje de Vink (Schuman Associates), and moderated by Alexander Heusch (EDANA), the session will demonstrate how aligning business strategy with regional financial mechanisms creates a decisive global advantage.
Right after the seminar, there will be a one-hour live showcase of EDANA’s Professional Development course offering, designed to bridge the gap between technical theory and industrial application. The afternoon of 20 May will focus on supply chain integrity and sustainability. Moderated by Marines Lagemaat (EDANA), speakers Ralf Veltman (BSI), Martin Langley (Bostik), and Norbert Stelzer (Procter & Gamble) will showcase the evolved Quality and Audit Programme (QAP) for absorbent hygiene. Subsequently, and moderated by Rawaa Ammar and Brieuc Lits (EDANA), experts Alex Braley (Sustainable Public Affairs), Matthew Tipper (NIRI), and Kemal Say (Fibertex Nonwovens) will examine pathways for carbon reduction and end-of-life solutions, providing a framework for navigating the shift from “disposable” to “circular” under increasing regulatory pressure.
On Thursday, 21 May, the seminars will focus on specialised sectors, highlighting innovations in the filtration, geotextile and automotive sectors. Within filtration, Martin Klein (MANN+HUMMEL) and Sandra Schäfer (Hollingsworth & Vose) introduce groundbreaking applications, while Samuel Allen (TRI Environmental, Inc.) and Dr Oliver Detert (HUESKER Synthetic) discuss the revitalisation of civil engineering through advanced geosynthetics. Furthermore, with Felipe Cossio Cuartero (EDANA) as moderator, Laura Gottardo (Autoneum), Joric Marduel (Fibroline), and Laurent Mougnard (Howa-Tramico) will demonstrate how nonwovens serve as key technologies for next-generation mobility. Together, these sessions offer a comprehensive view of the industry’s future, led by the visionaries shaping the sector.
The seminars are open to all visitors and take place from 19 to 21 May 2026, in Room S.
Product presentations at INDEX™26
At INDEX™26, leading providers of technology and raw materials will showcase developments designed to increase the performance and value of modern nonwoven technical materials. The programme illustrates how companies move beyond regulatory compliance to gain a competitive edge through groundbreaking advances in polymer design and fibre technology.
Key highlights include Kaneka’s biodegradable PHBA-based polymers, SK Leaveo’s cooling nanocellulose
biopolymers, and Kemira’s bio-based hydrophobic agents. H.B. Fuller addresses absorbent core bonding,
while SPG Prints debuts electroformed screens for high-performance spunlace. The LYCRA Company debuts a next-generation renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber, derived from dent corn, designed to deliver the shape retention and stretch performance the industry expects. Furthermore, Magnera addresses the global trend away from PFAS with new protective solutions for medical gowns.
Exhibitor presentations underscore a shift toward circular engineering across every layer of the modern
diaper. In the realm of fastening, Gottlieb Binder showcases a new generation of adhesive-free in-line
welding. Complementing this focus on next-generation closures, APLIX introduces the new SoftGrip platform offering unprecedented design flexibility and a line of 100% industrially compostable closures which combines sustainability with uncompromised performance. The evolution of the absorbent core also takes centre stage: Stora Enso outlines the environmental gains of low-carbon NaturaFluff Eco grades, while Suzano presents Eucafluff, a eucalyptus-based pulp that reduces storage requirements by 13%.
Smart chemistry further enhances circularity, with Bostik introducing “debond-on-demand” technology and Colquimica debuting pH-sensitive hydration indicators. Finally, BASF demonstrates how rheology modifiers boost meltblown efficiency.
Other industry leaders will introduce critical advancements in process and material science, spanning
hygiene, filtration, and automotive sectors:
– Digitalisation & AI: Fraunhofer ITWM (Simulation-based “Digital Twins” for cross-sector product
development), Global Process Management (AI-driven OEE improvement for hygiene
manufacturers), and TiHive (Terahertz-based SAP distribution mapping).
– Process Innovation: Andritz (Flash-drying for Lyocell staple fibre), WEKO (Contactless liquid and
powder application for water and chemical savings), Zschimmer & Schwarz (Energy-saving
hydrophilic spin finishes), and Kemira (sustainable fibre treatments).
– High-Performance Materials: Beaulieu International Group (Smart fibre design for air filtration and
low-carbon PP fibres for the automotive value chain), Mogul (Metaint PET microdenier technology
for filtration and synthetic leather), and Trützschler (Advanced carding for ultra-soft hygiene
microfibres).
– Specialised R&D: ExxonMobil (Enhancing softness and loft with Vistamaxx™ performance polymers),
DITF (High-temperature polymeric nonwovens as PFAS replacements), and Olfasense (Neurosciencebased
odour assessment).
Together, these presentations provide manufacturers with a clear roadmap for the transition to cost-neutral decarbonisation and high-performance, sustainable nonwovens. These free product presentations are open to all visitors and take place from 19 to 21 May 2026, in Room R.
Further highlights
On 19 May, the INDEX™26 Awards recognize the most innovative and sustainable solutions across five
categories. The nominees, announced in mid-March, represent the cutting edge of material science,
featuring innovations such as bio-based hygiene fibres, PFAS-free protective textiles, and revolutionary water filtration systems. Winners will be announced at a special ceremony on the first day of the event, 19 May 2026, at 10:00 AM CET at the EDANA stand in Geneva.
The immersive experience: “Nonwovens: In Every Layer of Life” Beyond technical demonstrations, INDEX™26 invites visitors to a brand-new immersive experience. Located at the heart of the exhibition, this curated journey offers a multisensory “moment out of time.” It illustrates the often invisible but indispensable role of nonwovens in daily life—from life-saving medical gear to the hidden layers of infrastructure—transforming technical understanding into a deep awareness of how these materials are woven into the fabric of modern society.
The immersive platform is located on stand #4038
Reflecting its commitment to an inclusive industry, INDEX™26 features for the first time a Women’s
Networking Breakfast on Thursday, 21 May at 09:00 AM. This event offers a unique platform for professionals at all career stages to connect, share experiences, and build the mentorship networks essential for the future of the nonwovens community.
Designed to inspire, inform and connect industry professionals through seminars, exhibitors’ product
presentations, awards and immersive experiences, the INDEX™26 programme ensures that attendees leave Geneva with the strategic knowledge and technical expertise required to lead the next generation of
nonwoven innovation.
