In just over a month, May 19-22, 2026, 620 exhibitors from 44 countries will be gathering in Geneva at Palexpo. INDEX26 is set to demonstrate that the future of technical materials will be shaped by an increasingly collaborative supply chain. This year’s edition goes beyond individual breakthroughs to show how integrated efforts across the entire value chain enhance the performance, sustainability, and value of nonwoven solutions.

Magali Fakhry Dufresne, director of INDEX, states: “INDEX26 takes place at a decisive moment for the nonwovens industry. Sustainability and performance are no longer seen as separate goals; they now form a single, unified mission. As we look around the exhibition and observe the product presentations this year, it is clear that the most impactful innovations are the result of a supply chain that is more integrated and collaborative than ever before. Our seminar program reflects this evolution, offering visitors much more than just technical updates. Thanks to high-caliber speakers, it provides a strategic roadmap through the complexities of global regulation and market shifts. We invite all participants to join these events and our new immersive experience to see how nonwovens truly shape every aspect of modern life.”

Seminar Program
The INDEX26 seminar program (May 19-21) provides participants with the key insights they need to navigate an increasingly complex industrial landscape.

Murat Dogru, general manager of EDANA, states: “The nonwovens industry is undergoing a profound transformation, and INDEX26 will serve as our collective strategic compass. Our program acts as a practical roadmap; by combining technical, regulatory, and financial intelligence, we ensure participants leave Geneva with the specific tools required to turn overcapacity and shifting mandates into high-performance, sustainable growth.”

Jacques Prigneaux of EDANA will open the program with “Strategic Market Insights,” utilizing exclusive data to deliver an overview of the dynamics redefining sectors from hygiene and wipes to filtration and construction. This is followed by the first-of-its-kind seminar, “Global Gateways: How to tap into public funding across regions.” Led by Al Gordon (National Strategies) and Floortje de Vink (Schuman Associates), and moderated by Alexander Heusch (EDANA), the session will demonstrate how aligning business strategy with regional financial mechanisms creates a decisive global advantage.

Right after the seminar, there will be a one-hour live showcase of EDANA’s Professional Development course offering, designed to bridge the gap between technical theory and industrial application. The afternoon of May 20 will focus on supply chain integrity and sustainability. Moderated by Marines Lagemaat (EDANA), speakers Ralf Veltman (BSI), Martin Langley (Bostik) and Norbert Stelzer (Procter & Gamble) will showcase the evolved Quality and Audit Programme (QAP) for absorbent hygiene. Subsequently, and moderated by Rawaa Ammar and Brieuc Lits (EDANA), experts Alex Braley (Sustainable Public Affairs), Matthew Tipper (NIRI), and Kemal Say (Fibertex Nonwovens) will examine pathways for carbon reduction and end-of-life solutions, providing a framework for navigating the shift from “disposable” to “circular” under increasing regulatory pressure.

On Thursday, May 21, the seminars will focus on specialized sectors, highlighting innovations in the filtration, geotextile and automotive sectors. Within filtration, Martin Klein (MANN+HUMMEL) and Sandra Schäfer (Hollingsworth & Vose) introduce groundbreaking applications, while Samuel Allen (TRI Environmental, Inc.) and Dr Oliver Detert (HUESKER Synthetic) discuss the revitalization of civil engineering through advanced geosynthetics. Furthermore, with Felipe Cossio Cuartero (EDANA) as moderator, Laura Gottardo (Autoneum), Joric Marduel (Fibroline) and Laurent Mougnard (Howa-Tramico) will demonstrate how nonwovens serve as key technologies for next-generation mobility. Together, these sessions offer a comprehensive view of the industry’s future, led by the visionaries shaping the sector.

The seminars are open to all visitors and take place from May 19-21, 2026, in Room S.

Product Presentations
At INDEX26, leading providers of technology and raw materials will showcase developments designed to increase the performance and value of modern nonwoven technical materials. The program illustrates how companies move beyond regulatory compliance to gain a competitive edge through groundbreaking advances in polymer design and fibre technology.

Key highlights include Kaneka’s biodegradable PHBA-based polymers, SK Leaveo’s cooling nanocellulose biopolymers, and Kemira’s bio-based hydrophobic agents. H.B. Fuller addresses absorbent core bonding, while SPG Prints debuts electroformed screens for high-performance spunlace. The LYCRA Company debuts a next-generation renewable LYCRA EcoMade fiber, derived from dent corn, designed to deliver the shape retention and stretch performance the industry expects. Furthermore, Magnera addresses the global trend away from PFAS with new protective solutions for medical gowns.

Exhibitor presentations underscore a shift toward circular engineering across every layer of the modern diaper. In the realm of fastening, Gottlieb Binder showcases a new generation of adhesive-free in-line welding. Complementing this focus on next-generation closures, APLIX introduces the new SoftGrip platform offering unprecedented design flexibility and a line of 100% industrially compostable closures that combine sustainability with uncompromised performance. The evolution of the absorbent core also takes center stage: Stora Enso outlines the environmental gains of low-carbon NaturaFluff Eco grades, while Suzano presents Eucafluff, a eucalyptus-based pulp that reduces storage requirements by 13%.

Smart chemistry further enhances circularity, with Bostik introducing “debond-on-demand” technology and Colquimica debuting pH-sensitive hydration indicators. Finally, BASF demonstrates how rheology modifiers boost meltblown efficiency. Other industry leaders will introduce critical advancements in process and material science, spanning hygiene, filtration, and automotive sectors.

Together, these presentations provide manufacturers with a clear roadmap for the transition to cost-neutral decarbonization and high-performance, sustainable nonwovens. These free product presentations are open to all visitors and take place from May 19-21, 2026, in Room R.

Further Highlights
On May 19, the INDEX26 Awards recognize the most innovative and sustainable solutions across five categories. The nominees, announced in mid-March, represent the cutting edge of material science, featuring innovations such as bio-based hygiene fibers, PFAS-free protective textiles and revolutionary water filtration systems. Winners will be announced at a special ceremony on the first day of the event, May 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. CET at the EDANA stand in Geneva.

The immersive experience: “Nonwovens: In Every Layer of Life” Beyond technical demonstrations, INDEX26 invites visitors to a brand-new immersive experience. Located at the heart of the exhibition, this curated journey offers a multisensory “moment out of time.” It illustrates the often invisible but indispensable role of nonwovens in daily life—from life-saving medical gear to the hidden layers of infrastructure—transforming technical understanding into a deep awareness of how these materials are woven into the fabric of modern society. The immersive platform is located on stand #4038.

Reflecting its commitment to an inclusive industry, INDEX26 features for the first time a Women’s Networking Breakfast on Thursday, May 21, at 9 a.m. This event offers a unique platform for professionals at all career stages to connect, share experiences and build the mentorship networks essential for the future of the nonwovens community.