#IDEA 2025

2025-05-08

IDEA®25 and FiltXPO™ 2025 deliver resounding success for nonwovens and filtration industries

INDA’s IDEA®25 and FiltXPO™ 2025, held concurrently from April 29 to May 1 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, delivered unparalleled value to the nonwovens and filtration industries.

Combining exhibitions, conferences, training opportunities, and awards, these co-located events served as essential global platforms to drive business growth, share knowledge, and advance the industry.

“The energy and engagement at IDEA and FiltXPO were outstanding,” said INDA President & CEO Tony Fragnito. “Seeing thousands of global leaders and innovators converge in Miami Beach underscores the vital importance of face-to-face interactions not just for project updates and business development but also for discussing industry challenges and opportunities. The quality of the attendees and the volume of business conducted are a powerful testament to the industry’s interconnected supply chains and vibrant global industry outlook.”

Exhibition and Conference Highlights

IDEA, the global nonwovens and engineered materials exhibition, and FiltXPO, the international filtration conference and exhibition, featured over 650 exhibitors, showcasing a comprehensive view of the latest innovations and solutions across the supply chain.

Exhibitors and attendees at both events reported overwhelming satisfaction with the volume of qualified leads and the presence of key decision-makers, including C-suite leaders. The popular Lightning Talk presentations drove booth traffic and interest while INDA added further value by presenting critical market data during the show.

Sustainability was a key theme for the IDEA and FiltXPO conferences. At the 2-day IDEA Sustainability in Nonwovens Conference, global experts shared perspectives on pertinent issues from regulations, technology, and product and process design to the potential of hemp fibers and bioplastics. The conference concluded with sessions on extended-life nonwoven products and next-life for nonwoven fabrics.

INDA partnered with the American Filtration and Separations Society (AFS) to bring the FiltXPO Advances in Filtration Conference to industry leaders. Discussions at this conference covered circularity, healthy buildings, indoor air quality in data centers, and nonwoven filtration media innovation.

Both conferences brought industry professionals together to share knowledge and strategies to advance sustainable practices, highlighting the need for ongoing innovation, regulatory compliance, and incorporating eco-friendly materials to foster a more sustainable future.

New at FiltXPO was a poster session showcasing 23 companies with their latest research, technologies, and innovations.

Educational Value

Specialized training opportunities at IDEA provided in-depth knowledge on critical industry topics, including introductions to nonwovens and wet wipes, baby and adult absorbent hygiene systems, and period products innovation. FiltXPO offered a comprehensive two-day Filter Media Training Course.

Achievement Awards

Outstanding achievement was celebrated with the presentation of six IDEA achievement awards, in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine, honoring Dilo Systems GmbH (Equipment), Woolchemy NZ Ltd. (Raw Materials), Magnera (Long-Life), Egal Pads, Inc. (Short-Life), Innovatec Microfibre Technology (Nonwoven Products), and KINDCLOTH™ (Sustainability Advancement).

The FiltXPO awards, in partnership with International Filtration News, were presented to Greentech Environmental LLC (Air/Gas Filtration), Filtration Advice Inc. (Filtration Equipment), and Ahlstrom (Water/Liquid Filtration).

INDA announced that FiltXPO will be held October 28-29, 2026, in Minneapolis, MN, and IDEA will take place March 23-25, 2027, in Kansas City, MO.

INDA honors four industry leaders with 2026 Lifetime Service and Technical Achievement Awards

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has announced the four distinguished recipients of the 2026 INDA Lifetime Service Award and Lifetime Technical Achievement Award. Tom Daugherty, Pricie Hanna, Carey Hobbs, and CK Wong are being recognized for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and enduring contributions to advancing the nonwovens industry and strengthening the global community it serves.

Magnera’s Sontara® brand wins INDA’s® Long-Life Achievement Award at IDEA® 25

Sontara®’s EcoRE bags, now part of the Magnera® portfolio, recently received the IDEA® Long-Life Achievement Award at IDEA 25, the premier global event for nonwovens and engineered fabrics. Made from cellulosic fibers, Sontara EcoRE material is certified for home composting1 and boasts exceptional strength and durability.

Lenzing’s VEOCEL™ champions sustainable innovation at IDEA25 and CIDPEX

VEOCEL™ highlighted its innovative, environmentally responsible fibers for hygiene and personal care single-use products at CIDPEX and IDEA25 // With VEOCEL™ Lyocell, Lenzing invites partners to unleash possibilities in single-use – not only meeting today`s needs but also shaping solutions for a better future together.

ANDRITZ at IDEA 2025: Innovations and highlights in nonwoven technology

ANDRITZ is set to present advanced process solutions at IDEA in Miami, USA, from April 29 to May 1, 2025 (booth 4216), addressing the growing market demand across various nonwoven and textile sectors. At IDEA, a special focus will be on technologies for sustainable nonwoven applications, particularly in the areas of wipes and hygiene, Dry Molded Fiber technology as well as innovations in durable nonwovens and life cycle service.

NIRI to exhibit at IDEA25

NIRI is excited to announce that they will be exhibiting at IDEA2025, the premier event for nonwovens materials and their applications, taking place at Miami Beach Convention Center from April 28 to May01, 2025. The event also hosts FiltXPO, the North America exhibition dedicated exclusively to filtration and separation.

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.