By Mark Snider We have come a long way since I first worked with INDA as a member in 1991. Now, I am INDA’s Chief Market and Industry Analyst. Back then the landscape for nonwovens was different and there were many uncharted waters to navigate. Now it’s all about sustainability, carbon footprint and efficiency both in process and in performance. This year has been a busy one for INDA. We have expanded our communication channels through industry publications, we have revised and updated our training materials, we have increased and improved our market intelligence reports  and we have dedicated ourselves to a more global focus to include long-life nonwovens with an increased focus on composites. In addition, we have expanded our government resources in Washington D.C. by increasing our personnel and by developing more committee involvement. Our collaboration with EDANA (European Nonwovens Association) has never been better as we have developed a holistic and team approach to support the global nonwovens industry. Our theme for 2024-2025 is “sustainability” both as an ongoing initiative and as a theme for the IDEA2025 Show scheduled for April 29-May1, 2025 in Miami Beach, FL. This show will also feature the FiltXPO event as both shows will be combined in 2025. Sustainability is such a misunderstood concept, but it is really about innovating, planning, and developing ways to reduce the carbon footprint, and it’s about heightened awareness. It is our mission to remind our industry to think about their company’s effect on the planet. INDA will embrace sustainable initiatives going forward and will continue to think globally. Our sustainability initiatives include webinars, UN plastics initiative, website sustainability success stories and dedicated conference programs. Also, we are developing our sustainability to effectively communicate our progress and showcase our industry’s commitment to environmental responsibility to our members and to the industry as a whole. The INDA program includes sustainable innovations, responsible sourcing and end-of-life solutions. We are enhancing our membership benefits through member interviews, improved access to the INDA directory and by improving our show and conference venues. In addition, we have conducted multiple private meetings at conferences like World of Wipes (WOW), Rise and Hygienix just to ensure that our members receive the highest level of support from INDA staff. This “open dialogue” type exchange has been well received and offers a unique opportunity to engage with the industry. At INDA, we consider Market Intelligence as a tool to understand the global nonwovens industry and have re-vamped our reports to be more concise, more detailed and more accurate by re-evaluating our statistical algorithms and by scrutinizing all industry market segments. As a result, we will offer a new Long-Life Durables Report (to be released July 2024), a Sustainability Report (to be released September 2024), and a joint INDA/EDANA Global report (to be released in early October 2024). We will also increase our attendance at shows and conferences like JEC International Composites Show & Conference, Geotextile Americas, FedTex Government Materials Conference, SAMPE Advanced Materials conference, TechTextil / Engineered Fibers and Fabrics show and conference, ACCE Automotive Composites and The Battery Show.INDA Media includes International Fiber Journal and International Filtration News where we educate and communicate with the nonwovens industry through editorial content to support technical and efficiency developments.Workforce Development has a high priority at INDA with improved training via on-demand work modules, in-person training at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels and involvement in programs like the California waste collection study. Our Technical department has revitalized the INDA relationship with the North Carolina University Nonwovens Institute to seamlessly mesh our mutual technical interests and development programs.Government Affairs interactions are a core benefit of INDA’s commitment to the nonwovens industry. We have added additional staff in Washington to support our GA efforts in international, federal regulatory, federal legislative, state and local government activities. We are involved at the policy level from treaties to tariffs promoting manufacture-friendly legislation through coalitions. We also establish and support committees to enhance and forward our presence in Washington and to cover important industry issues like international 301 tariffs, flushability standards, the UN plastics treaty, FTC green guides, PFAS and other chemical issues. At INDA, its not just about relationships and good stewardship but interaction, technical expertise, and engagement with the industry through open dialogue to connect our nonwovens network and move it forward for years to come. About INDA INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, serves hundreds of member companies in the nonwovens/engineered fabrics industry to achieve business growth. Since 1968, INDA helps members convene and connect, innovate and develop their businesses. INDA’s educational courses, business intelligence and market insights, test methods, consultancy and issue advocacy help members succeed by providing information they need to better plan and execute their business strategies. INDA Media is the business-to-business publishing arm of INDA and publisher of International Fiber Journal and International Filtration News, which reach a vast network of professionals who employ fibers, filaments, and filtration systems to optimize their application environments. For more information, visit www.inda.org, or download the INDA mobile app for immediate updates.