“What is particularly rewarding for my team’s effort is the fact that virtually the whole nonwovens supply chain is represented in the 35 new member companies that have joined EDANA in the first three quarters of 2013, from machinery to finished personal care, medical or filtration or semi-finished industrial products or composites for automotive applications.” said Pierre Wiertz, General Manager of EDANA.
With membership representing the entire nonwovens and related industries’ value chain, from raw materials to roll goods, additives and converted goods, the Association’s eligibility criteria places emphasis on the industry’s manufacturers.
“Exhibition organisers or promoters of special economic zones in emerging economies, whose business is unlikely to support EDANA’s mission to promote sustainable growth of the nonwovens and related industries would not be eligible for either EDANA membership or exhibiting at the INDEX exhibition.”
He continues “To focus on selling only the space in an exhibition, without added value for exhibitors and visitors alike, or to exclusively promote exports from emerging countries who favour nonwovens for export over local consumption”.
Speaking about the long-term partnerships and alignment EDANA has developed with sister associations across the globe, particularly across the Americas, China, Japan and the Asian region, and with EDANA representative chapters in CIS and the Middle East and Northern Africa, Pierre confirmed the regional strength of the association, saying “Whilst we do not actively recruit new member companies outside EMEA, where there are no relevant associations in a specific market, we do take the role of industry representative to fill the gap”.
EDANA’s policy of free and fair trade is the foundation of the Association. As a result, EDANA is committed to helping our member companies, and our partner associations’ members alike, doing business, and therefore removing obstacles to trade anywhere in the world.