INDEX 26, the world’s leading nonwovens exhibition, will take place from May 19-22 this year at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, serving as a hub for innovation, inspiration and networking with international decision-makers.

With 600 exhibitors expected, INDEX 26 will be a cross-industry platform for exchange across the entire value chain of the industry – from raw materials and machinery to producers of nonwovens, components and converters.

This year’s event highlights a clear trend towards high-performance lightweight materials emerging from an increasingly integrated global supply chain. From breakthroughs in engineering to innovations in raw materials, the focus remains firmly on enhancing efficiency and sustainability without compromising quality.

“INDEX 26 will showcase an industry that is resilient and determined to diversify,” explains Magali Fakhry Dufresne, director of the INDEX exhibitions. “Today, it is no longer just about mass-produced disposable items, but about high-tech, durable and sustainable solutions to the most complex challenges of our time. We are seeing a fundamental change in which reducing the carbon footprint per kilogram of nonwoven fabric is becoming the most important performance indicator for the entire value chain. INDEX 26 is the place where this technological change will become visible.”

New standards

In Geneva, leading companies offering technologies and raw materials for advanced nonwoven production will unveil significant new developments, demonstrating how performance and value continue to increase through a more collaborative supply chain.

One of the most eagerly awaited unveilings is RF6 technology from Reifenhäuser Reicofil. This latest generation of spunmelt production is set to establish new global standards by delivering higher throughput for the finest fibres while enabling user-friendly, low-maintenance operation.

Magnera, created from the merger of Berry and Glatfelter, will present breathable backsheet solutions with a film basis weight reduced to just 8gsm. Combined with an ultra-soft, thin nonwoven fabric of 10gsm, these materials form the lightest breathable solution to date for printed baby and adult backsheets. Magnera will also showcase its Supersoft ATB (air-through bonded) fabric for backsheet applications, reducing material consumption, lowering freight costs and shortening delivery times without compromising comfort or quality.

In raw materials, Borealis is introducing a new polypropylene grade for spunbond nonwovens based on its Nextension technology. This enables the replacement of complex multilayer structures with recyclable mono-material designs. Borealis HG485FB offers a wide processing window and excellent spinning performance, allowing optimisation of web properties, coverage and strength.

A.Celli will present its standalone VoluMAX³ line, a high-speed system for 3D embossing and perforation. Its E-Wind non-stop unwinding, inline cutting and winding system has been combined with an embossing roller from Saueressig, creating a flexible, maintenance-friendly solution delivering precision and quality at speeds of up to 600 metres per minute.

Wisdom Greentech is pushing softness boundaries further with the world’s first nonwoven made from 0.4-denier fibres. Featuring a 100% cotton skin-contact layer, it is produced without chemical binders or ultrasonic bonding. Using a patented process and Trützschler’s dual carding technology, materials finer than silk are being achieved. Trützschler has supplied Wisdom Greentech with four ATB systems to date and will also exhibit in Geneva.

Seminar programme

The INDEX 26 seminar programme forms a strategic cornerstone of the event, addressing the technical, regulatory and market forces reshaping the global nonwovens landscape.

“INDEX 26 is far more than a showcase for individual products,” says Murat Dogru, general manager of EDANA, the show’s owner. “It demonstrates that innovation in the nonwovens industry today is powered by global collaboration rather than isolated breakthroughs.”

The programme is structured around three pillars – strategic market intelligence, sustainability and regulatory resilience in specialised sectors.

Sessions will explore market dynamics across hygiene, wipes, filtration and construction, examine carbon footprint reduction and end-of-life solutions, and address evolving regulatory frameworks. Specialised seminars will cover filtration, geosynthetics and mobility, highlighting applications ranging from infrastructure to electromobility and autonomous vehicles.

Shaping the future

The industry’s future is being shaped at the intersection of automated machinery, intelligent chemistry and extreme weight reduction. Advances in process automation and raw materials are driving lighter, softer and more efficient products while embedding circular design strategies into manufacturing.

When the nonwovens industry meets in Geneva, this synergy of technology and knowledge sharing will define a clear roadmap for a more efficient, sustainable and circular manufacturing landscape.

Visitor registration is now open and full exhibitor lists and programme details are available via the INDEX website:

www.indexnonwovens.com