With now less than 6 months until the INDEX14 global nonwovens exhibition, EDANA, the international association representing the nonwovens and related industries has announced the categories for the INDEX14 awards for innovative achievements in nonwovens. The awards are open to any EDANA member company or INDEX14 exhibitor.

While companies may only submit one product per category, they may enter into as many categories as they wish. Products must be commercially available at the time of submission, and must not have been commercially launched before April 2011.

Companies can download an application from the dedicated INDEX 14 page under ‘Events’ on www.edana.org, which must then be completed and returned with samples and supporting details to EDANA before January 31, 2014.

The award categories for 2014 include:

• Nonwoven roll goods;

• Finished products made from, or incorporating nonwovens;

• Achievement for the most original marketing campaign for a product made from, or incorporating nonwovens;

• Raw materials or components – innovation in a raw material or component (e.g. polymer, fibre, binder, film, tape), (other than nonwoven) of special relevance to the nonwovens industry and related converted products industry;

• Innovation in machinery of special relevance to the nonwovens industry;

• Sustainable product; and

• Sustainable process or management practice.

The panel of judges will be drawn from the technical, converting, marketing, and policy making sectors, and from the nonwovens press. Entries will be assessed on creative ideas, new technology and innovative products. Judges will first assess the relevance of entries from each category, then select a maximum of three qualifying entries per category.

All qualifying entries will be recognized in a special press release before the INDEX14 exhibition, and the winners chosen from among the qualifying entries will be presented with their awards at a special ceremony during the exhibition. This ceremony will be held on April 8, 2014, the first day of the INDEX14 exhibition, and will include a highly publicized launch with media coverage.

Each winner will receive a specially commissioned bronze sculpture and a diploma. The sculpture symbolizes the versatility and features of nonwovens made by Olivier Strebelle, the renowned Belgian sculptor whose works are displayed in major cities across Europe, the U.S. and Asia.