
Index 17 judged a success by visitors and exhibitors
By Geoff Fisher, European Editor
One of the biggest ever global nonwovens exhibitions took place in April in Geneva, Switzerland, with visitors and exhibitors alike declaring it an all-round success.
“With worldwide representation from across the nonwovens and related industries, displaying a diverse range of products and services, Index once again delivered on its promise to serve as a ‘global meeting point’ for the industry,” the organizers stated.
A total of 12,758 visitors were recorded at Index 17, an increase of more than 2% on the 2014 edition. The event featured 666 exhibitors, up 13%, from 41 countries on nearly 24,000 m2 of stand space.

Busy trade show and exhibition calendar for 2017
Although there are no major textile machinery shows scheduled this year, 2017 will still be another eventful one for companies and organizations involved in the man-made fiber industry, particularly those touching on the nonwovens and technical textiles sectors.

Meeting the sustainability challenge with sustainable innovation
This year’s Dornbirn Man-Made Fibers Congress attracted around 720 participants from 34 countries.
By Geoff Fisher, European Editor
Innovation remains the “DNA” of the Dornbirn Man-Made Fibers Congress, which has taken place for the past 55 years in the city of Dornbirn in the Vorarlberg region of Austria.
This year’s event attracted around 720 participants from 34 countries and

Technical textiles market forecast to grow rapidly
By Geoff Fisher, European Editor
Sportswear that can measure heart rate and other performance metrics, and jackets that can control a smartphone are at the cutting edge of the burgeoning wearables sector. With a focus on technology, design and function, this trend is placing new demands on fabric makers developing e-textiles and other smart garments.
But the growing field of high-tech textiles does not solely involve integrating electronics into yarns and fabrics to produce trendy apparel; technical textiles are offering solutions in a wide range of end-uses using innovative yarns, fabric constructions and finishes.

Trade shows and exhibitions for 2016
Following the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt in May, and November’s ITMA 2015 textile machinery event in Milan, 2016 appears to be a relatively quiet year in the trade show, conference and exhibition calendar. However, for companies and organizations involved in the manmade fiber, nonwovens and technical textiles sectors there is still a myriad of global events focused on these sectors where delegates and visitors – and exhibitors – can top up their air miles.