This month alone we discuss the fiber market’s quest for new ideas, the continued diversification of personal care wipes and new developments in flame retardants and other binders and additives for nonwovens. Nonwovens-related companies across the spectrum are  fully aware of the constant need for innovation to be successful and are regularly developing new substrate types, raw materials and machinery and equipment offerings to move nonwovens forward.

It is with this in mind that Nonwovens Industry, together with INDA, Association of the Nonwovens Industry, once again is sponsoring the IDEA Achievement Awards in conjunction with next year’s IDEA show, scheduled for April in Miami, FL. These awards, now in their third installment, will recognize the leading companies, individuals and new products in the global engineered fabrics industry. Past winners include H.B. Fuller, Sonobond, BBA Fiberweb and Unilever.

This year, it could be your turn. The awards are broken down into six categories—equipment, roll goods, raw materials, short-life end-use product, long-life end-use product and entrepreneur company, honoring a company founded since that last IDEA show. Additionally, the recipient of the IDEA Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing an individual or company that has contributed to the advancement of the industry for at least 20 years, will be selected by the INDA board of directors.

Nonwovens Industry and INDA are currently accepting nominations for this competition; a selection committee will select three finalists in each category and in early 2007 industry members will be invited to select the winners.

Don’t be shy. If you think your company has made a valuable contribution to the nonwovens industry during the last three years, let us know. Nominations can be sent to MIchael Jacobsen, IDEA Awards coordinator, at [email protected] or to us at Nonwovens Industry at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing about your innovations.

Karen Bitz McIntyre
Editor
[email protected]