EDANA has announced winners of the INDEX17 awards which mark excellence and innovations in the field of nonwovens and related industries. INDEX17 is the largest global meeting place for the nonwovens supply chain and their customers. The winners were presented with their specially commissioned bronze sculpture and a diploma at the exhibition. 

 

The INDEX17 awards jury comprised a former senior nonwovens entrepreneur and manager, a representative of the nonwovens industry trade press, an international independent consultant and two top academic nonwovens research and development experts. 

 

Pierre Wiertz, general manager of EDANA, said, "The winners and nominees recognised are testament to the commitment to innovation in our industry, but also to the ability of creative developers in the whole nonwovens supply chain to meet the challenges of our times, from resource management to energy storage, relief help and social responsibility. These products and services provide a snapshot of how our industry is changing and developing - it is a privilege to witness first-hand the fruit of these efforts and know that the success of our sector is in safe hands."

 

INDEX17 brings together key players in the nonwovens industry from raw material producers to manufacturers, finishers to converters, to environmental protection, measuring and testing equipment manufacturers, to trade associations and journals. It is visited by over 15,000 visitors. 

 

Berry Plastics has been awarded for Nuvisoft, a proprietary melt spun technology which combines unique filament profile geometry with a soft bond pattern for enhanced softness. Glatfelter has been selected for its Dreamweaver Gold 20 microns, a nonwoven separator for ultra-safe lithium ion batteries. Magic has been awarded for Spongel, a super absorbent polymer made entirely from renewable resources. GDM has been awarded for Rear Wing Zero Waste, an upgrade for the baby diaper manufacturing line. Hassan Group has been recognized for its self sufficient relief tents, the result of a social responsibility project aimed at providing eco-friendly nonwoven tent fabrics to improve living conditions in refugee camps.

 

Another company awarded was Suominen Corporation for its blind hiring recruitment process, a pioneering recruitment process which increases diversity in the workforce and ensures equal opportunities for applicants of all genders, ethnicities and ages. (SV)