INDEX™26: Pioneering highlights at Geneva

INDEX™26, the World’s Leading Nonwovens Exhibition, will take place from 19 to 22 May 2026 at PALEXPO in Geneva. With 600 exhibitors expected, INDEX™26 represents the entire value chain of the industry, from raw materials, machinery, producers of nonwovens, components to converters.

This year’s event highlights a clear trend toward high-performance lightweight materials emerging from an increasingly integrated global supply chain. From breakthroughs in engineering to innovations in raw materials, the focus remains firmly on enhancing efficiency and sustainability without compromising quality.

One of the most eagerly awaited unveilings is the introduction of RF6 technology from Reifenhäuser Reicofil. This latest generation of spunmelt production is poised to set new global standards by delivering higher throughput for the finest fibres while enabling user-friendly, low-maintenance operation.

Magnera, created from the merger of Berry and Glatfelter, will present breathable backsheet solutions with a basis weight reduced to just 8 g/m². These are combined with an ultra-soft, thin nonwoven fabric of 10 g/m² to create the lightest breathable solution to date for printed baby and adult backsheets. Magnera will also showcase its Supersoft ATB (Air-Through Bonded) fabric for backsheet applications, which reduces material consumption, lowers freight costs, and shortens delivery times without compromising comfort or quality. Supersoft combines exceptional softness with reliable technical performance, offering enhanced results through optimized thickness reduction.

In the field of raw materials, the Austrian company Borealis is introducing a new polypropylene (PP) grade for spunbond nonwovens based on its Nextension technology. This enables manufacturers to replace complex multi-layer structures with recyclable mono-material designs. Borealis HG485FB improves nonwoven production through its wide processing window and excellent spinning performance, allowing processors to push the boundaries in optimizing web properties, coverage, and strength. 

A.Celli presents its standalone VoluMAX³ line, a high-speed system for 3D embossing and perforation. A.Celli's E-Wind non-stop unwinding, inline cutting, and winding machine has been combined with the leading embossing roller from German exhibitor Saueressig. The result is a flexible, maintenance-friendly system that guarantees maximum precision, quality, and speed in the production of sophisticated surface effects at speeds of up to 600 metres per minute.

Meanwhile, Wisdom Greentech is pushing the boundaries of softness with the world’s first nonwoven material made from 0.4-denier fibres. Featuring a skin-contact layer of 100% cotton, this product is manufactured without chemical binders or ultrasonic bonding. Thanks to a patented process and Trützschler’s dual carding technology, materials finer than silk are created. Trützschler, a specialist in nonwoven technologies, has supplied Wisdom Greentech with four ATB systems to date and will also be exhibiting in Geneva this May.

Seminar programme
Structured around three critical pillars, the seminar programme provides attendees with the insights necessary to navigate an increasingly complex industrial environment. 

Strategic Market Intelligence: At the heart of the programme is an exploration of the trends shaping the global market. Drawing on EDANA’s exclusive industry intelligence, these sessions provide a data-driven overview of the dynamics redefining sectors from hygiene and wipes to filtration and construction. In an era where consumer expectations are rapidly evolving, these insights highlight how the imperative of sustainability has moved from a trend to a core business driver across the entire value chain.

Sustainability and Regulatory Resilience: As the industry faces mounting pressure to enhance resource efficiency, the programme dedicates significant focus to the dual challenges of carbon footprint reduction and end-of-life solutions. Experts will examine how to address environmental concerns while balancing the nuances of regional policies and consumer behaviors. Complementing this is an in-depth analysis of the regulatory landscape, providing manufacturers with a roadmap for aligning their operations with upcoming environmental standards and product safety requirements. This ensures that participants remain both compliant and competitive in a rapidly shifting legislative climate.

Innovation in Specialized Sectors: Beyond the broader market, sessions exploring key trends in the global Filtration sector will spotlight breakthrough applications in high-growth fields. The Geosynthetics session will challenge traditional Western construction methods, comparing them with the rapid infrastructure growth seen in regions like China to showcase how geosynthetics can revitalize modern civil engineering. Simultaneously, the Mobility seminar will position nonwovens as essential enablers for the next generation of transportation. From the lightweighting needs of electromobility to the acoustic and filtration requirements of autonomous vehicles, these sessions illustrate how versatile nonwoven materials are meeting the demands for sustainable, high-tech transportation.