INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, is organising the triennial IDEA conference on the future of nonwoven and engineered materials supply, production capacity and demand during March 28-31, 2022, in Florida. The conference will deliberate upon the impact of the pandemic on the global nonwoven supply chain and ways of recovery.

Experts from diverse groups such as Fitesa, INDA, EDANA, China Nonwovens and Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA), and Asia Nonwoven Fabrics Association (ANFA) will highlight global and regional insights on issues such as the impact of the pandemic on the global nonwoven supply chain and ways of recovery for China, South America, Asia, North America, and Europe.

IDEA22 is expected to attract more than 6,500 senior-level delegates and over 500 exhibitors from myriad industry sectors, including absorbent hygiene, wipes, filtration, medical/surgical products including PPE (personal protective equipment), home and office furnishings, transportation, geosynthetics and building construction sectors, from over 60 countries. The 2022 event marks the 21st anniversary of IDEA.

There will also be IDEA Achievement Awards to honour innovations in the nonwovens and engineered materials industry across six categories. INDA in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine will jointly present the awards.

The awards will be given in the categories of sustainability advancement, equipment achievement, roll goods achievement, raw material achievement, new disposable product using engineered fabrics, and long-life product achievement.

IDEA will also offer a series of short course training opportunities called “Nonwoven Essentials,” led by industry experts. Courses include the basics of nonwovens, industrial wipes, consumer wipes, absorbent hygiene cores, and patent searching. Each course provides a detailed overview designed to give newcomers basic skills and enhance their knowledge about patents for new business strategies.