#Nonwovens

2026-03-18

EDANA and more than 70 industry organisations call for consistent exemptions in EU packaging regulation

EDANA, together with more than 70 industry associations and organisations, has issued a joint statement commenting on the European Commission’s Delegated Act under Article 29 of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

The signatories welcome the Commission’s decision to introduce a derogation for pallet wrappings and straps from the 100% reuse targets defined in Article 29(2) and (3). According to the statement, this move reflects a growing recognition of the operational challenges consistently raised by stakeholders across the European packaging value chain. Industry representatives have long argued that these transport packaging formats are not suitable for reuse and that no scalable alternatives currently exist that can ensure comparable levels of load stability, product protection, transport safety, and operational reliability.

At the same time, the joint statement highlights a key inconsistency. While exempting pallet wrappings and straps from the 100% reuse targets, the Commission maintains the 40% reuse target under Article 29(1) for the same applications. According to EDANA and its co-signatories, the technical and safety limitations apply equally in both cases.

Pallet wrapping films, for example, lose their structural integrity once cut upon delivery, while pallet straps are designed for single-use stabilisation and cannot reliably maintain performance after removal. In industrial logistics environments—where high loads, repeated handling, and long transport distances are standard—any reduction in load-securing performance can pose risks to workers, compromise product integrity, and affect transport safety.

The organisations therefore warn that maintaining the 40% reuse target for these formats risks creating a regulatory framework that is difficult to implement consistently and raises concerns regarding legal certainty and proportionality. A fragmented approach could also undermine broader EU objectives related to simplification, competitiveness, and industrial resilience.

Against this backdrop, EDANA and more than 70 co-signatories call on the European Commission to adopt a delegated act extending the exemption to the 40% reuse target under Article 29(1), and to include comparable transport packaging solutions. Prioritising recyclability or recycled content in cases where reuse is technically unsuitable is, according to the statement, essential to ensure that the regulation remains workable and fit for purpose.

The full joint industry statement provides a detailed assessment of the technical, operational, and policy implications of reuse targets for transport packaging.

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EDANA unveils nominees for INDEX™26 Awards: Highlighting the next generation of nonwoven excellence

EDANA is proud to unveil the highly anticipated nominees for the INDEX™26 Awards, the nonwoven industry’s highest accolade for technical and sustainable excellence. Out of a record-breaking field of entries, these finalists represent the cutting edge of material science—from bio-based hygiene fibers and PFAS-free protective textiles to revolutionary water-filtration machinery. Each nominee has been selected by a jury of industry experts for their ability to solve critical global challenges, including the transition to a circular economy and the pursuit of enhanced consumer performance.

INDEX™26: Pioneering highlights at the World’s leading nonwovens exhibition

INDEX™26, the World’s Leading Nonwovens Exhibition, will take place from 19 to 22 May 2026 at PALEXPO in Geneva. The upcoming edition serves as a hub for innovation, inspiration, and networking with international decision-makers, positioning itself as a cross-industry platform for exchange across all nonwoven sectors. With 600 exhibitors expected, INDEX™26 represents the entire value chain of the industry, from raw materials and machinery to producers of nonwovens, components, and converters.

EDANA warns of consequences of misclassification of PET spunbond imports

EDANA would like to remind its members and industry stakeholders of the legal requirement to comply with the EU rules on customs classification when importing nonwovens from third countries outside the EU. In this regard, it was recently discovered that there appears to be a high level of customs misclassification occurring in our industry. This could have dangerous and costly consequences for importers.

Modernizing Needling – DiloGroup at Techtextil & INDEX 2026

With the theme “Modernizing Needling”, the DiloGroup presents a comprehensively enhanced portfolio for needling technology. The objective is to further increase the performance and application range of needlefelt production lines in terms of productivity, flexibility, and the development of new products, thereby meeting the growing demands of modern technical textiles.

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.