EDANA hosts Russian International Nonwoven Symposium

The International Nonwovens Symposium, for the first time organised by EDANA outside Western Europe, was strongly supported by the international nonwovens industry, especially companies based in Russia or the CIS markets.

The first event of its kind in Russia, the symposium delivered sessions focussing on

- Macroeconomic and sector context for nonwovens,
- Geotextiles,
- Hygiene and personal care nonwovens,
- Innovation, testing and regulation for hygiene products,
- Personal Care Wipes,
- Automotive Nonwovens, and
- Filtration and medical nonwovens.

With 250 delegates from across Europe and the globe, there were 158 organisations present from 26 different countries, including 97 Russian delegates from 71 different companies.

Additionally, the Symposium featured a tabletop exhibition with 26 exhibitors taking time during the introductory sessions and breaks to promote their businesses and services.

“The feedback we received from our members and colleagues from the growing nonwovens industry in Russia, and other stakeholders confirmed our belief that this event was the right thing to do at the right time.

"It seems that the variety of markets covered during the symposium, which contrasts with other more specialised EDANA events, addressed priority needs of those companies who are most closely following the demand for nonwovens in CIS countries.” said Pierre Wiertz, general manager of EDANA.

This however constitutes a first step in a long journey. EDANA will continue to support the market developments of the nonwovens industry in Russia and will repeat this symposium experience, with improvements following feedback from all delegates in St Petersburg.

In addition, a dedicated committee was set-up on the day following the symposium to identify and help remove obstacles to trade and to monitor standard and regulatory developments of relevance to nonwovens and absorbent hygiene products. Documenting market developments and pursuing regulatory and standards harmonisation are key to EDANA’s service to the industry in general, and even more so for new and emerging markets.”

As 2014 is a year where the INDEX show will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, the next International Nonwovens Symposium will be held by EDANA in May or June 2015.

EDANA