Following a meeting of the Sino-Euro Nonwoven Industry Cooperation, involving representatives from the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), the China Nonwovens and Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA) and the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT TEX) and EDANA, the international association representing the nonwovens and related industries, based in Brussels, CNITA and EDANA have signed a strategic partnership framework agreement.

The agreement, which establishes and promotes the equal and mutual-benefit relationship between the two associations, will involve discussion of jointly-relevant issues and details before the implementation of cooperation projects. The agreement is valid for three years, with the option for the two associations to modify or extend the agreement.

Speaking about the partnership after the signing, Lingshen Li, president of CNITA, says, “This partnership formalizes the good relationship our two associations have had for many years, and directs our efforts to those activities where a real and direct benefit will be made for our members and the industry, across both China and Europe.”

In response, Pierre Wiertz, general manager, EDANA, says, “We are pleased to work together with CNITA to play an active role in promoting a better, more sustainable world with nonwovens through innovation and by embracing globalization in a perspective of free and fair trade. While we are conscious of the proliferation of events targeted at nonwovens producers, any future event will be developed to address directly the needs of the local industry.”

The strategic partnership is focused on four main areas:

• Mutual agreement and sharing in the field of product testing and standards;
• Mutual agreement and sharing of statistical methods and data;
• Exploring ways to facilitate nonwovens-related trade between the two regions and cooperation in effective exhibition opportunities; and
• Information and data sharing and the potential of co-organizing international professional meetings.