INDEX 08 - Nonwovens Microcosm

EDANA's triennial exhibition in Geneva will attract 13,000 visitors to see the offerings of the global nonwovens supply chain.

Textile World Asia Special Report

I n the course of the last few decades, the nonwovens sector of the textile industry has grown significantly in importance, offering an increasingly diverse range of products and applications to an ever-expanding marketplace. According to estimates compiled by EDANA, the Brussels-based International Association Serving The Nonwovens and Related Industries, and the Cary, N.C.-based Association of the Nonwovens Industry (INDA), worldwide sales of nonwovens increased from $9 billion in 1994 to $15.9 billion in 2004, and are projected to total $22.4 billion by 2009. Volume-wise, these sales represented a doubling from 2.16 million metric tons in 1994 to 4.43 million metric tons in 2004, with a further projected increase to 6.32 million metric tons in 2009.

The various segments of this growing global industry will return to Geneva April 15-18 to participate in the 2008 edition of INDEX, a triennial exhibition sponsored by EDANA, organized by Geneva-based Orgexpo and held at Geneva Palexpo, where it has taken place since 1984. Billed by EDANA as the World’s Leading Nonwovens Exhibition, INDEX 08 is expected to draw more than 13,000 professional visitors from around the world — including company executives, research and development experts, scientists, designers, engineers, buyers, marketers, specifiers and production specialists — to see the latest nonwovens technologies, application areas and services presented by more than 500 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, in an exhibition space that measures 50,000 square meters (m2) including more than 20,000 m2 of exhibitor booth space.

Exhibitors represent every aspect of the nonwovens industry — from raw materials, machinery and equipment suppliers to converters and brand owners, in addition to auxilliary and testing equipment manufacturers, environmental protection, trade associations, publishers and other related areas. Key industry sectors to be highlighted include automotive, cleaning and hygiene, composites, construction, filtration, home furnishing, medical and packaging.

“INDEX has become a flagship event for the nonwovens industry, and the number of exhibitors and visitors expected this year is further testimony to that,” said Pierre Wiertz, general manager, EDANA. Reflecting the growth and diversification of the nonwovens industry itself, the exhibition has grown with each new edition, from presenting a mere 87 exhibitors at its inaugural 1973 show in Basel, Switzerland, to offering the products and services of 465 exhibitors, along with related activities, to more than 12,000 visitors at INDEX 05.


Special Events 

In addition to the exhibition, INDEX 08 will include several special events and activities. On Monday, April 14, the day before the exhibition opens, members of the global superabsorbent producers sector will gather for their inaugural Global Superabsorbents Summit.

On Wednesday, April 16, members of EDANA, INDA and the Asia Nonwoven Fabrics Association (ANFA) will convene for the fourth Global Nonwovens Summit, organized as a forum to promote and set a unified global agenda for the industry, and enable collaboration and information-sharing among the associations and their members. The  focus of the 2008 summit will be raw materials, energy and ideas for noncommercial joint efforts. 

Another invitational event will be the annual meeting and visit of the European Operating Room and Nurses Association (EORNA) on Thursday, April 17, which will provide opportunities for medical nonwovens exhibitors to hear and discuss needs of the medical community as they apply to nonwoven products.

Exhibitor product presentations will be given April 15-17 in the Exhibitor Presentation Forum in Stand 1066, a specially built auditorium on the exhibition floor. Three sessions will be dedicated to general product categories, and three others will focus on automotive applications, filtration and nanotechnology.

An apparel exhibition titled “Nonwovens in Action” will feature high-performance nonwoven fabrics that address social responsibility and sustainability as they relate to the supply chain, manufacturing and fabric consumption. The free-standing, interactive show, organized in collaboration with the England-based University of Leeds School of Design, will be on view for the duration of INDEX.

Research consortiums working within the sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technology will present their work in INDEX 08’s Innovation Pavilion. Project presentations will include:
• ACTECO — Eco-efficient activation for hyperfunctional surfaces, which aims to develop cost-efficient, ecologically sound plasma processes that can provide innovative properties for durable hyperfunctional surfaces;
•  INTELTEX, a project dedicated to developing a breakthrough methodology to produce intelligent textiles that feature thermal self-regulated textile surfaces, chemical and toxic substance detection, and continuous measurement of mechanical stresses on the textile structure; and
• STELLA — Stretchable Electronics for Large Area applications: a new technology for smart textiles, a platform technology that enables technologies for interconnection, packaging and assembly for stretchable, comfortable, wearable electronics for applications such as intelligent textiles and apparel, and personal fitness and health monitoring.


INDEX 08 Awards

The INDEX Awards are presented during a special ceremony at each exhibition to recognize and reward innovation and excellence in nonwovens developments.  This year, the awards will be given in six areas: nonwoven roll goods; finished products made from, or incorporating nonwovens; marketing achievement for the most original marketing campaign for a product made from, or incorporating nonwovens; raw materials or components — innovation in a raw material, such as a fiber or binder, having particular relevance to the nonwovens industry; machinery — innovation in machinery having particular relevance to the nonwovens industry; and humanitarian contribution — a new award for a solution or product utilizing nonwovens that has made a significant humanitarian or environmental impact.

Entries will be judged by a jury comprised of former company marketing and research and development professionals, media representatives, academics and European policy makers. Winners will receive a diploma and a bronze sculpture designed by Olivier Strebelle, a noted Belgian sculptor whose works are found in major cities worldwide, and who will design a sculpture series for the new Olympic Museum and Park in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics in that city.

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Innovation, Diversification Are Keys To Growth In Nonwovens

In preparing this preview of INDEX 08, Textile World spoke with EDANA General Manager Pierre Wiertz to get his perspective on the state of the global nonwovens industry and how its growth is reflected at INDEX.

“The entire nonwovens industry has grown, with a broader range of end-uses covered,” Wiertz said. “It used to be more hygiene, medical and disposable applications. Now, especially in the last INDEX, it has shown very good growth in automotive and industrial applications — and filtration is also very important.”

While some manufacturers tend to go to more specialized shows for civil engineering and building applications, Wiertz said, “Automotive and filtration showed the highest growth between INDEX 02 and INDEX 05 — up to 20 percent in terms of visitors interested specifically in nonwovens for durable applications.”

Wiertz noted that filtration has a very broad range of applications, including food and liquids, heating and air conditioning, automotive, surgical, face masks and other uses related to air and water quality.

Looking into the future, Wiertz remarked: “The industry has no choice but to innovate and diversify into new applications. Traditional applications such as hygiene and medical are soon going to reach maturity, if not decline. Factors include the demographics associated with a high degree of penetration of those products in industrialized countries — with single-use absorbent products such as baby diapers and feminine hygiene products reaching up to 90-percent market penetration, plus stagnating or decreasing birth rates and populations. The one area of growth is in adult incontinence products for the aging population, and that does not entirely compensate for the stagnation and possible decline of the other two markets.”

Wiertz also mentioned the continuing diversification of personal care products. “There are all kinds of wipes for convenience, and there are healthcare products like cold and warm packs for pain relief, for example. Nonwovens play a key role in all of those,” he said.

Globally, Wiertz said developing and emerging countries offer good growth opportunities. “ There is still a huge gap between the industrialized and emerging countries,” he said. India consumes 100 grams per capita, and China’s per capita consumption stands at 0.73 kilogram (kg); while Europe, Japan and North America consume 2.67, 2.8 and 3.78 kg per capita, respectively. Developing countries’ market share totaled 29 percent in 1994 and is projected to grow to 42 percent in 2009.

And what about the environmental impact of disposables production and use? “We’ve demonstrated this has decreased dramatically over the last 15 years or so, thanks to innovation by reducing weight and volume, packaging and the raw materials used,” Wiertz said. Statistics related to the impact of European production and use are found in EDANA’s 2007-2008 Sustainability Report on Absorbent Hygiene Products.

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INDEX 08 Exhibitors: A Sampling Of Offerings

Brückner Plant Technologies, Germany, will offer its range of nonwovens technologies, including the Power-Therm DT dryer, which offers energy savings and improved productivity in the thermal and chemical treatment of nonwovens.

Switzerland-based Ciba will present new vis-breaking technology that enables economical production of high-quality meltblown nonwovens made with spunbond polypropylene; as well as enhanced effects for nonwovens including Ciba®
Irgasurf® HL 560 hydrophilicity additive, Flamestab® NOR™ 116 halogen-free flame retardant for polyolefins, Chimassorb® 2020 light and thermal stabilizer; and Cromophtal® and Irgalite® colorants.

DiloGroup, Germany, will have representatives on hand to discuss possibilities for a range of nonwovens applications that can be produced using the machinery of its subsidiaries DiloTemafa, DiloSpinnbau and DiloMachines.

Polyolefin staple fiber supplier FiberVisions, Denmark, and its ES FiberVisions bicomponent fiber-producing joint venture with Japan-based Chisso Corp. will showcase cost-effective solutions using their fiber technologies to address trends such as eco-friendly processing, lightweight fabrics and added functionalities.


Fleissner GmbH, Germany, will show its SteamJet line, newly developed in collaboration with the Germany-based Saxon Textile Research Institute, for bonding of nonwovens using overheated steam jets; in addition to various versions of its AquaJet spunlace technology, and Fleissner bonding and finishing lines. The company also will highlight its cooperation with Germany-based Erko-Trützschler to provide complete nonwovens production systems.

Martin Automatic Inc., Rockford, Ill., willl present its patent-pending MDR (magnetic driven roller) system for handling light webs at reduced tension levels and increased operating speeds.

France-based Rieter Perfojet will offer video presentations on its Jetlace® Essentiel spunlace technology, Perfobond™ spunbond system, its new meltblown system and Spunjet® technology. The company also will provide shuttle bus service between the Palexpo and its technical center in Montbonnot, France, to provide an opportunity for visitors to participate in trials using Rieter nonwovens technologies.

 

INDEX08: 非织造布的微观世界

过去几十年来，纺织业中的非织造布行业的地位快速提升，它为我们提供了范围日益扩大的产品和服务。据欧洲非织造材料协会、布鲁塞尔的国际非织造品及相关产业服务协会以及美国非织造工业协会(INDA)估测，全 球非织造布销售额已经从1994年的90亿美元攀升至2004年的159亿美元，2009年这个数字将达到224亿美元。从产量上看，这些销售额代表1994年的216万吨已经翻了一番，在 2004年达到443万吨，而到2009年产量将会攀升至632万吨。

伴随4月15-18日的到来，这个日益壮大的行业中的很多人都会聚集到日内瓦参加2008 INDEX国际非织造布展览会。INDEX是日内瓦Orgexpo基金创办的，每三年举办一次，于 1984年开始在日内瓦Palexpo会展中心举办。由欧洲非织造材料协会赞助的INDEX展会，已经发展成为世界顶级的非织造布展会。今年预计将吸引大约13000名全球专业人士的参观，其中包括企业代表、研 发专家、科学家、设计师、工程师、买家、营销人员、行业专家、生产专家等等。他们将会接触到100多个国家500多名参展商所带来的非织造领域最新科技成果、应用案例和服务。展馆面积为5万平方米，其 中2万多平方米的区域为展位面积。

参展商们来自非织造领域的各个行业-从原料、机械仪器供应商到分销商、品牌商应有尽有，此外还有助剂、测试仪器制造商、环保部门、贸易协会、出版商等。人们最关注汽车、清洁卫生、合成物、建筑、过 滤布、家用装饰、医疗和包装这些领域。

 "INDEX已经成为了非织造领域的一面旗帜，众多参展商和观众对今年的盛会更加期待，"欧洲非织造材料协会(EDANA)总经理Pierre Wiertz说。展 会反映了非织造行业的成长和变化。每一届的展会都会有所完善，1973年在瑞士巴塞尔举办时只有87家参展商，465名参观者，而到2005年时，参观者已经有1.2万名了。

特别活动

除展会外，INDEX 08还将举办其它几个特殊的活动。展会召开前夕的4月14日，全球高吸水性纤维制造商们将集聚一堂，参加全球高吸水性纤维峰会。

4月16日周三，欧洲非织造材料协会(EDANA)、美国非织造工业协会(INDA)、以及亚洲非织造布协会（ANFA）将联合举办第四界全球非织造行业峰会。此 次峰会将以论坛的形式制定统一的行业活动进程，为协会及其会员之间的合作和信息共享创造便利。2008峰会的焦点是原料、能源以及非商业化合作理念。

还有一个活动是欧洲手术室和护士协会(EORNA)的年会和参观活动，于4月17日周四举办。届时，他们将为医用非织造布参展商提供学习并讨论有关医用非织造布需求的机会。

4月15-17日，在特别搭建的1066展位上，将有参展商产品介绍论坛。按照产品大类，论坛分为三个环节进行，另外还有汽车、过滤布和纳米技术的三个额外小论坛。

一场名为"非织造在行动"的服装展以高性能非织造面料为特色，由于它们与供应链、制造和面料消费有关，还特别标明其社会责任和可持续发展。这一自发的、互 动的展会是在英国Leeds设计学院协助下组织的，将在INDEX 展期间举办。

第六次研究与技术框架计划下工作的研究联盟，将通过INDEX 08 的创新展台展示他们的作品，包括：
ACTECO - 超功能表面的生态有效激活，其目的在于开发低成本、生态合理的等离子加工，为耐用超功能表面提供创新的性能；
INTELTEX - 该项目致力于开发一种突破性的加工智能纺织品的方法，特点是热量自我调节的纺织品表面，化学及有毒物质的探测，以及对纺织品结构持续不断的机械应力测量；
STELLA - 面积应用的可延伸电子学的缩写，这是针对智能纺织品的一个新技术，它是一种平台技术，能让可延伸的、舒适的、可穿的电子学应用领域中各种技术相互关联、匹配，比 如智能纺织品及服装，以及个人的健康状况的监控。




INDEX 08大奖

INDEX大奖在每界展会中通过一个特殊的庆祝场合颁发，用来纪念和表彰非织造布开发领域中的创新和卓越成果。今年，大奖将颁给六个领域：非织造屋顶材料；含有或由非织造布制成的后整理产品；含 有或由非织造布制成的产品的原创市场推广活动所取得的成就；原材料或所含成分-针对原料创新，比如与非织造产业有特殊的关联的纤维或粘合剂；机械-与非织造产业有特殊的关联的机械方面的创新；人 道主义贡献奖-这是一个新的奖项，用来鼓励那些在人道主义或环保方面利用非织造品做出了巨大贡献的方案或产品。

一个由前企业营销及研发方面的专家、媒体代表、学者和欧洲政策制定者组成的评委团将进行评分。获胜者将收到一份证书和一个由著名的比利时雕刻家Olivier Strebelle创作的铜质奖杯。这 位雕刻家的作品可以在全球各大城市见到，他还将为北京2008年奥运会的新奥林匹克博物馆公园设计系列雕塑。

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关于INDEX 08的更多信息，请联系Beatrice Kaech, Geneva Palexpo, Fondation Orgexpo，地址：PO Box 112, 1218 Grand-Saconnex, Geneva,瑞士；电话：41-22-761-11-11；传真：41-22-798-01-00；电子邮件： index@geneva-palexpo.ch；网址： www.index08.org

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非织造业的发展在于创新和多元化

在准备这期INDEX 08 预览的专题报道时，《亚洲纺织世界》采访了EDANA总经理Pierre Wiertz 先生，了解他对全球非织造产业状况的看法，以及该产业的发展如何在 INDEX展上体现。

"整个非织造产业在增长，所覆盖的终端应用范围更广，" Wiertz谈到，"过去它主要在医疗卫生和一次性用品方面应用得比较多。现在，特别是从上一界INDEX 展上，它 在汽车用和工业用非织造领域显示出强劲的增长-过滤布领域也很重要。"

一些制造商倾向于在民用工程和建筑应用方面更加专业化，Wiertz 说到，"在INDEX 02 和 INDEX 05之间这几年时间里，汽车和过滤布领域的增长最快，从 对耐用非织造布感兴趣的观众人数的增长速度高达20% 这点可以看出。"

Wiertz 表示，过滤布的应用非常广泛，包括食品和液体、加热和空气调节、汽车、手术、面膜，以及其它与空气和水的质量有关的应用。

展望未来，Wiertz 强调，"这个产业机遇在于创新和应用领域的多元化。卫生和医疗等传统应用即使不衰退，也将很快趋向成熟。考虑到人口因素，在工业化国家这些产品的渗透率已经很高，比 如一次性的吸水产品--婴儿用尿布和女用卫生巾，已经达到了90% 以上的市场渗透率，而出生率和人口在减缓或停滞增长。唯一增长的领域是针对老年人的成人失禁产品，但 这并不能弥补其它两个市场的停滞及可能发生的衰退。"

从全球来看，Wiertz认为发达国家和新兴国家有很好的增长机会。"在工业化国家和新兴国家之间存在着巨大的鸿沟，"他说。印度人均消耗100克，中国人均消耗大概是0.73公斤；而欧洲、日 本和北美人均分别消耗2.67公斤、2.8 公斤和3.78 公斤。1994年发展中国家的市场分额占全球的29%，预计到2009年将增长到42%。

一次性用品的生产和使用会对环境造成什么样的冲击？"我们已经论证过了，通过减少重量和体积，以及包装和原材料的使用，在过去15 年里，这种影响大大减少了。" Wiertz说到。欧 洲的生产及使用所产生的影响的相关数据可以在2007-2008 EDANA 吸水性卫生用品可持续发展报告中找到。

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INDEX 08参展商: 预览

德国Bruckner技术公司将展示它的非织造技术，比如Power-Therm DT干燥机，它节能并提高了热加工和化学加工非织造品的生产效率。

瑞士汽巴公司将展示新的vis-breaking技术，可以经济得生产由纺粘型聚丙烯制成的优质热熔非织造品；并提高了以下非织造品的有效性，包括Ciba Irgasurf HL 560亲水性添加剂，用于聚烯烃的Flamestab NOR 116无卤素阻燃剂，Chimassorb 2020光热稳定剂，以及Cromophtal 和 Irgalite着色剂。

德国Dilo集团将有代表在现场与观众讨论它的子公司DiloTemafa， DiloSpinnbau 和DiloMachines提供的机器所生产出的非织造品的一系列应用范围。

丹麦聚烯烃短纤供应商FiberVisions，以及它与日本Chisso公司合资的双组分纤维生产厂ES FiberVisions 将展示利用他们纤维技术引导趋势的经济型方案，包括环保加工、轻 质织物以及增加的功能。




德国福来司拿公司将展示它的SteamJet系列产品，这是与德国Saxon纺织研究所合作共同开发的，用于粘合过热蒸汽喷射的非织造品；以 及各种版本的AquaJet射流喷网技术和福来司拿粘合及后整理生产线。该公司还将重点展示它与德国Erko-Trutzschler公司合作推出的完整的非织造布生产系统。

来自伊里诺斯州Rockford的Martin自动化公司将展示它正在申请专利的MDR (磁驱动滚筒) 系统，用于在降低张力水平并提高操作速度下掌握轻网。

法国立达Perfojet 将播放它的Jetlace Essentiel 射流喷网技术、Perfobond™ 纺粘系统、以及新的熔喷系统和Spunjet 技术的影音资料。该 公司还将提供往返于Palexpo 展馆和它在法国Montbonnot 的技术中心的穿梭巴士，为有兴趣使用立达非织造技术的参观者提供一个尝试机会。

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