The aim of this Forum is to gather an interdisciplinary group of young academics, start-ups, researchers, scientists and nonwovens professionals across all sectors. A tabletop exhibition will be organised together with the conference to maximize networking and business connections.
It will explore the significance of innovation for nonwovens and what it entails. While innovation is typically associated with Confidential Business Information, partnerships can be the key to success, and it’s possible to discuss innovation without revealing business secrets or risking your intellectual property.
The first day will feature presentations from experts on innovative products, materials, and technologies from across all nonwovens applications. The programme will include an excursion and allow plenty of time for discussion and networking.
The programme for the second day will offer various workshops.
The third day will take place in one of the most innovative places in town: The Munich Urban Colab, a place for new forms of cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration where start-ups, established companies, voices from science, fresh talent and the City of Munich are developing and testing innovative concepts together with citizens. On that day, you will enjoy inspirational talks, including an address by the founders of the Urban Colab facility, as well as presentations from keynotes and start-ups.
Thanks to our sponsor:
The Innovation Forum is about fostering innovation and driving progress in the nonwovens industry. That's why we're thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for start-ups to showcase your groundbreaking ideas – in an elevator pitch style on the stage.
Whether you're disrupting traditional markets, exploring new applications, or pushing boundaries in nonwoven technology, we want to help amplify your voice and connect you with the innovation community.
đ What's in it for you? đ
• Chance to pitch your idea in front of the innovation nonwoven community
• Valuable exposure and networking opportunities
• Potential partnerships and collaborations
To proceed, simply send your application explaining what you do to innovationforum@edana.org by 20 March latest.
We will give you a response at the end of March to let you know if you are selected or not and any additional information for a successful pitch.
The EDANA Innovation Forum is a new event that evolved from the combination of the International Nonwovens Symposium (INS) and the Nonwovens Innovation Academy (NIA). All information about the INS and NIA can be found below.
On top of the Andaz Munich you find Munich's highest bar and rooftop terrace: M'Uniqo Rooftop Bar. Set over two levels, with seating both indoors and on the outdoor terrace, this elegant and trendy rooftop bar offers some amazing 360-views over the Munich skyline, Olympiapark and the Alps.
The ideal setting for a relaxed networking.
The third day will take place in one of the most innovative places in town: The Munich Urban Colab, a place for new forms of cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration where start-ups, established companies, voices from science, fresh talent and the City of Munich are developing and testing innovative concepts together with citizens.
That day will feature inspirational talks, including a speech by the Urban Colab facility founders, along with presentations from keynote speakers and startup representatives.
Bus transportation will be provided for attendees from the smartvillage.
The full schedule will be available soon.
Joachim De Vos will open the conference with his keynote speech "Why Innovation Fails & the 7 keys to success".
In 1995, I co-founded Living Tomorrow, "the House of the Future," a pioneering platform where corporations, governments, and academic institutions converge to showcase future possibilities to millions. This unique initiative has led to the creation of Living Tomorrow Vision 2030, a €30 million innovation campus that opened early this year in Brussels. Featuring demo zones, collaborative spaces, and a futuristic hotel, it's a landmark project backed by over 70 organizations, aimed at exploring smart homes, mobility, industry, cities, infrastructure, and health.
Additionally, in 2007, I established TomorrowLab within Living Tomorrow to guide organizations towards embracing the future through strategic innovation and scenario planning. Together, these initiatives employ 75 individuals dedicated to forging a forward-looking world.
Beyond my entrepreneurial ventures, I serve as a Professor of Future Foresight and Scenario Planning at the University of Ghent, where I impart the principles of anticipating and shaping future trends to the next generation of leaders. This role complements my work at Living Tomorrow and TomorrowLab, bridging academic insight with practical innovation.
Bernhard Awolin is a seasoned expert with a diploma in physics, specializing in medical measurement technology and physiology from the University of Kiel. His professional journey commenced in product development for feminine hygiene products at Johnson & Johnson in Germany and Canada.
Expanding his expertise, he delved into diaper development and honed his skills in key account management within the private label business at Intigena GmbH & Co. KG. At imeco GmbH & Co. KG, Bernhard served as R&D and sales director for 3 years before assuming the role of CEO for 7 years. Notably, he significantly expanded the business for wet wipes, particularly in the realm of disinfecting wipes.
Since 2021, Bernhard has been an independent consultant for the nonwoven industry and a tutor at EDANA for Absorbent Hygiene Products. His primary focus lies in assisting companies in developing and marketing high-performing and sustainable new products made out of nonwovens.
Margarita Haller de Hallenburg is investor, inventor, innovator, visionary, co-owner of global patent for biocidal biodegradable nonwoven. She is Interdisciplinary independent scientist, with multidisciplinary strong academic education (AGH, AU, ALK, UW, LBS) and business experience on top managerial positions. She effectively combines modern science with the market, transforms the results of scientific research into market products ready for internationalization. For years, he has been developing his interdisciplinary knowledge in various fields of science and economics: biophysics, nanotechnology, deep-tech, med-tech, functional food, biotechnology, circular economy, polymer-textile composites, R&D process management, environmental protection, social economy projects, green energy, electromobility. She is an ESG practitioner for 5 years and designs solutions in accordance with ESG. Examples:
She developed her own concept of the reduction of time gap as a barrier to effective cooperation between science and business.
Hafiz Muhammad Kaleem Ullah is currently serving as an R&D Project Manager at CETI. He completed his Erasmus master's program in Sustainable Materials and Polymer Sciences, a joint program offered by the University of Strasbourg in France and the University of Freiburg in Germany. Subsequently, he has done an industrial Ph.D. between Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Industries Textile (ENSAIT) and CETI.
Hafiz works closely with a range of European institutes and international companies, leveraging his extensive expertise in the development of multicomponent fibers via spun bond, melt blown, and melt spinning processes, optimization of polymer extrusion processes, and polymer rheometry. His educational and professional trajectory highlights his dedication to the field of polymer engineering and his substantial contributions to the European textile industry and innovation efforts.
Muhammad Maqsood is a Scientist in Technology & Innovation department at SABIC where he is leading projects in personal hygiene and healthcare segments. Muhammad obtained his PhD degree from Maastricht University, The Netherlands in Polymer Engineering.
His main expertise are in the field of fibre spinning, spunbond nonwovens, fibre reinforced composites and technical textiles. Muhammad is an author of 25 journal publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The Directorate-General of the European Commission declared his PhD project “BioTex Fieldlab” as an exemplary project because it contributed towards the objectives of the EU’s cohesion policy.
Dr. Alaa Memari serves as the Head of Research and Development at Autins Group, spearheading a dynamic team dedicated to pioneering innovative solutions tailored for leading global brands within the automotive industry.
With a distinguished career spanning both academic and industrial spheres, Dr. Memari has held roles at renowned multinational corporations like Procter & Gamble, Autoneum, and Celanese, alongside impactful contributions through consultancy engagements with NIRI and SME’s such as Autins.
With a strong interest in advancing sustainability within the textiles and plastics industry, Dr. Memari is eager to improve efforts on recyclability and reduction of carbon footprint.
Gurminder Minhas is a business and technical development specialist, with extensive experience in biofuels, biochemicals, biomaterials, chemical recycling, pulp and paper industries. He is well versed in new technology development in the chemical sciences space, as well as growing technologies from lab, into pilot scale then on toward commercialization. As Managing Director of Performance BioFilaments, Gurminder is responsible for developing commercial opportunities for fibrillated cellulose products in applications where improved performance and sustainability are sought.
Mathieu Mottrie is a leader in the field of innovation, known for his contributions to the intersection of technology and creativity. As the CEO of the innovation advisory firm Creax, Mathieu helps organizations develop future-proof and trustworthy innovation strategies and solutions for growth and sustainability.
With a background in economics and a passion for efficient innovation, Mathieu leads Creax with the mission of building (in)credible solutions with ambitious innovators. His expertise lies in leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and data analytics to uncover opportunities and tackle challenges across industries. Mathieu's 20+ years of innovation expertise, paired with his market knowledge, has enabled Creax to deliver tangible results for clients worldwide.
As a thought leader and keynote speaker, Mathieu inspires audiences with his insights into the future of innovation and the transformative power of creative thinking. His compelling vision and proven track record make him a sought-after speaker at innovation conferences and guest lecturer at various universities across Europe.
Daniel Müller studied at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zürich, where he received a degree in material science in 1990.
Daniel started his industrial career in 1991 with Ciba-Geigy in Basel in the Engineering group, planning, constructing and testing plastics equipment for the production of chemicals.
In 1996 he joined the Additives division of Ciba-Geigy as an Application Specialist for polyolefin applications.
From 1999 to 2001 Daniel was heading the testing laboratories for the Application Technology group in the Plastic Additives business.
2001 to June 2007 Daniel was responsible for the Skill Center „Fibers and Tapes“ within the „Research and Technology“ Group of the business segment „Plastic Additives“ in Ciba Specialty Chemicals.
From July 2007 to April 2008 he was managing the Customer Technical Support group for Additives and Pigments for plastic applications.
As of May 2008 to December 2013 he was coordinating the Technical Center Polyolefins group in Basel, providing technical support for additives and pigments to the Industry Platform Plastics of BASF.
Today Daniel is leading the Competence Center Film & Tape for the Plastic Additives Department in BASF Schweiz, Kaisten. In this role he coordinates his team delivering a technical focal point for research and development projects and customer support in the field of additives for film, fiber and tape applications.
Miika Nikinmaa earned a PhD in Fiber and
Polymer Science from North Carolina State University in 2017. Since 2022, he
has been a Lead at VTT, where he helps companies utilize public funding and
steers large research projects in the fields of barrier packaging,
biocomposites, textiles, and bioengineered materials. Prior to joining VTT,
Miika led product development at Suominen for a strategic growth investment in
nonwovens. Currently, he is interested in developing a future outlook for
sustainability and commercializing VTT’s key technologies in collaboration with
the global industry.
As Head of Digitalisation at RWTH Aachen University's Institut für Textiltechnik, Florian Pohlmeyer focuses on the development of a data space for the textile industry, allowing sovereign data exchange and digital transformation of the industry to be possible. The institutes research aims to enable a sustainable fibre-based future.
Jacques Prigneaux leads EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs department and provides industry analyses to the nonwovens community.
He graduated with a Masters degree in Economics from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium) and he focused his researches in industrial economics and econometrics. He has been with EDANA since April 2007. Before that he worked for CIRFS, the association
of European man-made fibres’ producers for ten years.
He is responsible for managing research, market analysis and statistical activities at EDANA.
Adrián Rama is a Product Development Engineer at Sontara®, a division of Glatfelter Corporation, a global leader in nonwovens production across various sectors including food and beverage products, building and construction solutions as well as consumer wipes. His responsibilities include the management of product and technology development, from conceptualization to market launch, tailored to meet evolving market demands.
Drawing from a rich professional background spanning diverse industries such as renewable energies, specialty chemicals, and the wood and paper sector, Adrián brings a wealth of varied perspectives and innovative product concepts to the nonwovens industry.
Adrián holds an MSc in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Santiago de Compostela. His field of expertise focuses on developing advanced composite materials using a variety of polymeric and ceramic substances.
Lucie Souvy graduated with a double diploma in Switzerland and followed a course at two different universities, the University of Geneva (Bachelor in International Relations and Political Science), and then continued at a second university, Wesford University in Geneva (Bachelor in Business Administration).
Lucie is currently working for the company Isomatex, and holds the position of Project Manager & Quality System Management Responsible. She is the Account Manager for Sports, Ballistics, and Thermal applications and is responsible for a large customer book. She is in charge of setting certifications (EN9100 for aeronautic, space, and defense), and also manages marketing and communication strategies. She also specializes in Cyber Security via the ASAP Kaspersky training.
Mr. Thomas Weigert is working at Trützschler Nonwovens, the former Fleissner GmbH, in Egelsbach near Frankfurt/Germany, who is one of the leading suppliers of nonwoven production lines and machinery since 1997
For over 25 years in various positions he gained wide experience in the design and development of nonwoven production equipment and also in the technological requirements for nonwoven substrates. Today in the position as Senior Expert Technology Spunlace & Drying Mr. Weigert holds technological responsibility for Fleissner AquaJet, Through Air Drying and Wetlaid Spunlace (WLS).
Mr. Weigert got his degree in mechanical engineering at Darmstadt Technical University in August 1989 and started his professional life in the design and development of automotive brake systems before entering into the nonwoven industry.
For the first two days (4-5 June), the conference will take place at a very creative location called smartvillage Bogenhausen.
The hotels where we secured rooms at preferential rates are all located walking distance from the smartvillage.
For the third day of the conference, June 6, we invite you to one of the most innovative places in town: The Munich Urban Colab, a place for new forms of cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration. Shuttle buses will be available to take you there.
On the first night (4th June), don't miss out our dinner party at the M'uniqo Rooftop Bar where you will enjoy nice networking as well as a spectacular 360° panoramic views over Munich and the Alps.
EDANA has secured rooms at preferential rates in 3 different hotels. Find out the details via this link.
Fees include the entrance to the conference and tabletop exhibition, lunches, coffee breaks, and the conference presentations in digital format. Fees exclude the applicable 19% German VAT.
Category | Member | Non-member |
Standard delegate | 1.200€ | 1.600€ |
Academics/Institutes | 600€ | 800€ |
Start-ups | N/A | 600€ |
Students/PhDs | 50€ | 50€ |
Discount: Benefit from a 10% discount by registering a minimum of 4 delegates. Registrations must be done simultaneously to benefit from the discount. The discount does not apply to tabletops.
Book your tabletop and showcase your expertise, products and services to the delegates. The tabletop fees include a space with 1 table, 2 chairs and an electrical connection, as well as 1 exhibitor pass per company. Fees exclude the 21% Belgian VAT.
Category | Member | Non-member |
Delegate | 2.500€ | 3.300€ |
Academics/Institutes | 1.250€ | 1.650€ |
Start-ups | N/A | 1.250€ |
Make your company stand out thanks to our high-visibility sponsorship opportunities. Powerful and cost-effective, they are a unique opportunity to strengthen the visibility of your company. Check sponsorship opportunities.
The EDANA Innovation Forum is a new event that evolved from the combination of the International Nonwovens Symposium (INS) and the Nonwovens Innovation Academy (NIA). The first edition of the Forum will be held this June 2024.