#Nonwovens

2025-12-18

Magnera introduces innovative solution for healthcare and beyond, focusing on safety and sustainability

Magnera, a leading supplier of advanced material solutions, today announced the launch of its next-generation solution for nonwoven textiles. Magnera’s proprietary innovation delivers fluid repellency needed by healthcare professionals and other industries without the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS have been widely used for decades in medical gowns, drapes, and other protective textiles due to their durability and resistance to water, oil, and stains. However, evidence of PFAS persistence in the environment and possible associated health risks has prompted global regulatory action and growing demand for alternatives.

Paul Harmon, Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer at Magnera, said: “Our new solution meets the industry’s stringent standards for protection, comfort, and compliance in articles such as surgical gowns or drapes, while reducing potential pollutants.”

Addressing a Global Challenge

Regulatory bodies worldwide are moving to restrict or reduce PFAS inclusion in manufacturing:

The European Union: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published an updated proposal to restrict PFAS under the REACH regulation. The plan proposes phased bans and possible time-limited exemptions for essential uses, with final opinions expected in 2026 before requested implementation by the European Commission. (European Chemicals Agency, 2025).

United States: Several states—including California, Maine, and Minnesota—have enacted laws banning the addition of PFAS in various consumer products, with some compliance deadlines starting in 2025. These bans target categories such as food packaging, textiles, cookware, and juvenile products. (Safer States, 2024).

As global manufacturers step away from solutions including PFAS, supply shortages and rising costs are accelerating the need for alternatives. Magnera’s innovation delivers a timely, future-ready solution for healthcare providers and other industries navigating this shift.

A Safer, Sustainable Alternative

Magnera’s Groundbreaking Solution Offers:

High-performance fluid repellency without intentionally added PFAS

Comfort and breathability for protective textiles

Alignment with evolving global regulatory trends

Increased Environmental responsibility

Magnera introduces Universa™

Universa™ is a new, consolidated range of industrial wipers that brings together the trusted performance of the legacy Chicopee® and Sontara® brands. Developed by combining the manufacturing expertise, technologies, and product strengths of both brands, Universa™ is designed to simplify selection while delivering reliable performance across a wide range of industrial cleaning applications. Chicopee® and Sontara® will continue as Magnera’s core wipes brands, with Universa™ strategically positioned to fill key gaps between the two in the industrial wipers portfolio.

ENDURANCE Program: Driving operational sustainability at Magnera

As Magnera enters a new year, the company is reflecting on a key sustainability milestone from 2025: the launch of ENDURANCE, its global, employee-led initiative focused on waste reduction and sustainable innovation. Launched on Earth Day 2025, this initiative has generated more than 250 improvement submissions from team members across Magnera’s global operations, demonstrating strong engagement and shared accountability for sustainability across the organization.

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.

Sustainability: European industry calls on EU to keep Single-Use Plastics Directive unchanged

A broad coalition of European industry associations, including EDANA, Euratex and Plastics Europe, has urged EU institutions to maintain the current legal framework of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). In a joint statement, the organisations argue that reopening the Directive at this stage would create legal uncertainty, increase regulatory complexity and undermine investment, while its implementation across the European Union is still incomplete.

EDANA announces five new board members following 2026 Annual General Meeting

The EDANA Board of Governors is elected or re-elected at the Annual General Meeting by the member companies. The Governors are senior executives (business leaders) from member companies, based in different countries and representing different sectors of the nonwovens industry. The Board has central responsibility for guiding EDANA's overall strategy and approving its policies and priorities. It meets three times a year.

Reju opens its first R&D Center in the U.S. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Reju, the company specializing in textile regeneration, today announced the opening of a Research and Development (R&D) Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company's first proprietary research center in North America. Located within Technip Energies' existing Advanced Materials and Catalysts research center, the lab will allow Reju to accelerate the rollout of its recycling technologies and develop its next-generation circular solutions.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.