Triennial nonwovens exhibition returns to Geneva in April
TW Special Report
Belgium-based EDANA is the international association serving the nonwovens and related industries. Since its founding in 1971 as the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association, EDANA has grown and changed as times dictated and has become a voice for the nonwovens industry with a focus on Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Every three years, EDANA brings together the entire nonwovens industry at INDEX™ — an exhibition with a unique nonwovens focus and highly vertical format. The show is a focal point of the global nonwovens industry, according to the organizer, offering four intensive days of insights, networking and rewarding business activities unequalled in this industry.
INDEX 17 — the 12th consecutive edition of the triennial show to be held in Geneva, Switzerland — will take place April 4-7, 2017, at the Palexpo convention center. According to EDANA, Index provides a 360° overview of the latest developments in nonwovens gathering raw material producers, manufacturers, finishers and converters, companies involved in environmental protection, and measuring and testing equipment manufacturers.
In 2014, 586 exhibitors participated and more than 12,500 visitors from 100 countries attended Index. More than 600 exhibitors have committed to participate in the 2017 edition of the show, according to EDANA. Visitors from Western Europe account for approximately two-thirds of the attendance figures. Both exhibitors and attendees expressed high levels of satisfaction with the show in 2014 with 86 percent of the visitors saying they planned to return in 2017.
Education, Awards
In addition to an active exhibition floor, INDEX offers an education program comprised of seminars, tutorials and continental briefings.
The free-of-charge “Big Picture” seminar series will highlight key applications for nonwovens including medical, transportation and geotextiles end-uses. The free tutorials are designed to help visitors learn more about nonwovens, and will focus on nonwovens in medical, filtration and absorbent hygiene products. Each day, exhibitors also will be able to highlight their products to the nonwovens community during product presentations in the auditorium in Hall 1. Presentations will be organized into three categories — medical, transportation and renewable materials; geotextiles and filtration; and absorbent hygiene products.
In addition, the FILTREX™ conference and tabletop exhibition will be collocated with Index. This event will gather business managers and technical experts in the field of filtration.
EDANA will present awards at Index 17 to commend innovation, cooperation, creativity and sustainable achievements in the nonwovens sector. Any EDANA member company or Index exhibitor is eligible for an award. An awards ceremony will be held the morning of April 4 to honor all recipients.
The exhibition is open April 4-6 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and on April 7 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
For more information about INDEX 17 including details about the seminars and other events, please visit index17.org
January/February 2017
