Emerging Trends. Empowering Innovation. Enhancing Knowledge.
Sustainability remains one of the most discussed topics, and biggest challenges, within the nonwovens industry. The topic is a significant component of every conference, committee meeting, leadership event and a driver of much of the industry’s investment and innovation – as it should be. The nonwovens industry, like many others, is attune to the importance of sustainability spurred by consumer sentiment, resource depletion and energy conservation, all of which underscore the urgent need for sustainable practices in all industries and in all parts of the world.
Members of INDA, The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, are committed to addressing sustainability while remaining focused on product innovation and performance. For these reasons, INDA chose sustainability as its 2024-25 focus. INDA is committed to representing the industry on this broad and important topic. While sustainability within individual organizations impacts many aspects of their business, INDA is most engaged on the topics which form our three pillars: Sustainable Sourcing; End-of-Life Solutions; and Industry Innovations.
As part of our 2024-2025 sustainability focus, INDA is offering new channels to share practices and keep the industry informed and educated about ongoing and emerging initiatives related to sustainability both regionally and internationally. Our goal is to raise awareness about the industry’s sustainability activities and innovations to internal and external stakeholders who have an interest in the actions and accountability of our industry.
Examples of INDA’s initiatives include:
International Fiber Journal: This special issue of IFJ highlights both the industry’s sustainability journey and the innovation pathways that will guide our industry to a more sustainable future. We have also created an ongoing “Nonwovens” section in each issue of IFJ to highlight stories and interviews specifically dedicated to the advancement of the category in the fiber and filtration industry.
Webinars: An expanded webinar series to educate industry professionals and stakeholders on pressing sustainability issues, innovative solutions, and other pertinent topics crucial for advancing sustainability goals within the industry.
Market Intelligence Research Report: A comprehensive research report on sustainability in the nonwovens industry, offering valuable insights and data to inform strategic decision-making and drive sustainable practices.
Industry Position Statements: Crafting and disseminating industry position statements on key topics which outline our industry’s stance and recommendations on issues vital to a sustainable future.
Partnership with Good360: A leading nonprofit organization dedicated to distributing corporate product donations to vetted charities. Through this partnership, we will explore innovative solutions to repurpose surplus materials, reduce waste, and support communities in need.
Sustainability in Nonwovens Conference at IDEA® 2025: INDA’s preeminent convergence of industry professionals, IDEA® 2025, is the most significant industry global trade event. The upcoming show in Miami Beach, FL, USA on April 29 – May 1, 2025, will be devoted to sustainability, which you will see in the event branding and programming. Additionally, sustainability continues to be a focus topic across all INDA-hosted conferences, ensuring critical discussions and insights into sustainable practices throughout the industry.
Engagement on Policy and Technical Issues: INDA devotes its knowledge and resources to address public policy issues, develop position statements, and evaluate technical matters vital to the nonwovens industry. As discussions surrounding sustainability gains momentum, INDA aims to be a critical resource to educate, inform, and promote the position of our industry to achieve managed progress.
Collaboration Beyond Borders: INDA will continue its efforts to increase collaboration with EDANA, as well as other international and regional societies, to improve communications and ensure we speak with the collective voice of the industry on sustainability topics.
Of course, INDA’s sustainability efforts will continue beyond IDEA® 2025, as these issues will remain significant for our industry over time. We are engaging our members in new sustainability-focused committees to connect thought-leaders and decision-makers. These events, and others in the industry, will facilitate sharing insights and enhancing dialogue among a wide range of stakeholders relevant to our industry’s long-term success.
Collectively, these initiatives empower INDA and its members to navigate the complexities of sustainability, drive meaningful change, and lead the nonwovens industry toward a more sustainable future.
I urge all industry participants to actively join us in this endeavor. Your feedback and ideas are invaluable as we continue to refine our approach, identify new opportunities for collaboration and highlight the industry’s innovation. Together, we can make significant strides in sustainability, ensuring a resilient and prosperous future for the nonwovens industry.
Please join us in Miami Beach, FL USA for the Sustainability in Nonwovens Conference at IDEA ®2025. This major industry gathering highlights the future of nonwoven materials, their applications, and how nonwoven materials and practices are evolving to support a broad range of market sectors. It is sure to invigorate new ideas!
These topics and others will be discussed in more depth in the INDA Sustainability Report being released in the fall 2024.
