INDEX™26 Seminar Programme Outlines Industry Insights for Geneva Event

EDANA has released the final seminar programme for INDEX™26, scheduled to take place at Palexpo in Geneva from 19 to 22 May 2026. The sessions are designed to address current challenges in the nonwovens sector. The programme focuses on market intelligence, regulatory developments, and technical applications.

The seminar series is structured to address key industry challenges, including production overcapacity, sustainability requirements, and regulatory compliance. The sessions are designed to provide insights across the value chain, moving from market analysis to application-focused discussions.

On Tuesday, 19 May 2026, the programme will begin with a session titled “Market Trends in Nonwovens across Regions” from 14:00 to 15:00. Jacques Prigneaux, Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director at EDANA, will present data-driven insights covering applications such as hygiene, wipes, filtration, construction, and mobility.

On Wednesday, 20 May 2026, multiple sessions are scheduled. From 10:30 to 11:30, the seminar “Global Gateways and How to Tap into Public Funding in the EU and the US” will be moderated by Alexander Heusch, Regulatory Affairs Manager at EDANA. Speakers include Floortje de Vink, Senior Consultant at Schuman Associates, and Al Gordon, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman at National Strategies. The session will examine funding mechanisms supporting research, sustainability, and market development.

From 12:00 to 13:00, Marines Lagemaat, Scientific and Technical Affairs Director at EDANA, and Rawaa Ammar, Sustainability Director, will present EDANA Professional Development Courses, outlining key elements of the training portfolio.

The seminar “Driving Quality and Transparency in Nonwoven Supply Chains” will take place from 13:30 to 14:30, moderated by Marines Lagemaat. Speakers include Ralf Veltman, Head of Sales Internal & Supplier Audit at BSI; Martin Langley, Global Commercial Director at Bostik; and Norbert Stelzer, Senior Director Pampers Global Cost Innovation at Procter & Gamble. The session will focus on supply chain integrity and auditing frameworks.

From 15:00 to 16:00, the session “Sustainability in Nonwovens – Key Developments and Perspectives” will address regulatory developments related to plastics and single-use applications. Speakers include Alex Braley, Sustainability Advocate; Dr Matthew Tipper, Chief Executive Officer at NIRI; and Kemal Say, Managing Director at Fibertex Nonwovens. The session will be moderated by Rawaa Ammar and Brieuc Lits, Public Affairs Director.

On Thursday, 21 May 2026, the programme will continue with “From Air to Industry – Nonwovens Powering Innovation across Global Filtration Markets” from 09:30 to 10:30. Moderated by Marines Lagemaat, speakers include Martin Klein, SVP Engineering Filtration Materials at MANN+HUMMEL, and Sandra Schäfer, Senior Scientist at Hollingsworth & Vose.

From 11:00 to 12:00, the seminar “Re-engineering Infrastructure – How Geosynthetics are Revitalising Modern Construction” will feature Samuel Allen, President at TRI Environmental, Inc, and Dr Oliver Detert, Head of Engineering at HUESKER Synthetic, with moderation by Marines Lagemaat.

The session “Lightweight, Quiet, Sustainable – Nonwovens at the Heart of Next-Generation Mobility” will be held from 13:30 to 14:30. Moderated by Felipe Cossio Cuartero, Communication Expert at EDANA, speakers include Laura Gottardo, Advanced Sustainability Manager at Autoneum Management, along with Laurent Mougnard, Management Innovation at Howa-Tramico, and Joric Marduel, CTO at Fibroline.

Attendance at the seminars is included for INDEX™26 participants. Registration for the event is available through the official platform.