This article was originally published in the Filtrieren und Separieren (F&S), in German, Issue 2, 2026. Republished with permission. All rights reserved.
As the international association representing the nonwovens and related industries, EDANA owns INDEX™26, the world’s leading nonwovens exhibition. Co-organised together with Palexpo, the international exhibition and convention centre at Geneva, the trade show serves as a central hub where the entire supply chains –from filtration, geosynthetics, or wet wipes, to absorbent hygiene products–, where experts in the nonwovens industry gather to network, exchange, and share ideas. Taking place once every three years, INDEX™26 represents a cost-effective and highly targeted opportunity to reach the entire market in one location.
Filtration has evolved far beyond the simple task of catching dust; it is now one of the foundations of how we engineer a more sustainable world. As global standards for air quality and resource efficiency become increasingly stringent, nonwovens have moved from the background to the very centre of technological progress.
With INDEX™26 approaching (19–22 May 2026 at Palexpo, Geneva), the momentum behind this shift is impossible to overlook. For those of us in the industry, INDEX™26 offers a definitive preview of the innovations that will shape the coming years in air and fluid filtration.
The atmosphere at INDEX™ is always vibrant. With more than 600 exhibitors and 12,000 visitors expected, the entire supply chain—from polymer suppliers to filter manufacturers—comes together in one place. Although the show spans everything from wipes to medical applications, filtration has rapidly become a major focal point. This is clearly reflected in the seminar programme, where experts move beyond theory to address measurable environmental impact.
The new age of sustainable filtration – where we need to be
At the centre of this year’s technical discourse is the shift from “commodity” filter media to high‑performance, sustainable solutions. This transition is being driven by experts like Dr. Sandra Schäfer, Senior Scientist at Hollingsworth & Vose. With more than eleven years of experience and a Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Dr. Schäfer exemplifies cutting‑edge research and development in Germany. Her work focuses on a key industry challenge: balancing high filtration performance with a reduced environmental footprint.
In her upcoming presentation, Dr. Schäfer will address three fundamental questions reshaping the sector.
First, she examines how innovative 3D‑structured filter media can drastically reduce global air‑filter waste. Moving beyond traditional flat or simply pleated structures, these advanced 3D media offer increased dust‑holding capacity and improved airflow.
Secondly, she will explore the significant economic and environmental advantages of effective pressure‑drop management. Media that maintain favourable pressure‑drop behaviour throughout their entire service life can substantially reduce energy consumption and lower the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). In a world of volatile energy prices and intense carbon‑reduction scrutiny, a filter that “breathes” more efficiently represents a major competitive edge.
Finally, she will highlight how extended service life and reduced material use create a truly sustainable filtration pathway—one that does not compromise the stringent purity standards required by modern industry.
Nonwovens at work: catalysts for next‑generation solutions
Complementing this materials‑focused perspective is the expertise of Martin Klein, Senior Vice President Engineering Filtration Materials at MANN+HUMMEL. Based in Ludwigsburg, he oversees global R&D activities for filtration materials for all business units. Over more than two decades, he has witnessed nonwovens evolve from simple barriers into complex, highly engineered systems.
His seminar, Filtration futures: Nonwovens driving innovation & sustainability, positions nonwovens as the key catalyst behind the next generation of high‑performance, low‑impact solutions. Mr. Klein will demonstrate how advanced fibre engineering and digital media design—virtual modelling before a single fibre is produced—are expanding the boundaries of efficiency. This digital‑first approach enables MANN+HUMMEL to tailor nonwoven structures precisely to application requirements in automotive, industrial, and life‑science markets.
By linking material science directly to application needs, he outlines clear pathways for next‑generation solutions. Whether for cabin‑air filters in electric vehicles or high‑purity fluids in life‑science environments, the integration of sustainable materials and smart design ensures the industry can meet tomorrow’s clean‑air and fluid‑management challenges today. The synergy between Dr. Schäfer’s 3D‑structural innovations and Mr. Klein’s digital‑engineering insights reflects the dual approach needed for modern filtration excellence.
Attendees can hear more from both speakers during the dedicated filtration seminar at INDEX™26 on Thursday, 21 May 2026, from 09:30 to 10:30 CET, followed by a live Q&A session.
The strategic importance of trade shows for the filtration industry
The presence of experts like Dr. Schäfer and Mr. Klein at INDEX™26 highlights a broader truth: filtration thrives on cross‑sector collaboration. A breakthrough in a hygiene nonwoven might inspire a new medical mask design; a polymer developed for automotive use could solve a durability challenge in industrial dust collection.
Trade shows create the environment for these “eureka” moments. They connect global sustainability trends—such as CO₂ reduction and resource efficiency—with the practical, technical developments that make such goals achievable. Through direct contact with technologies, live demonstrations, and expert seminars, professionals gain strategic insight that digital formats cannot fully replicate.
They are also essential networking platforms, enabling dialogue between material scientists, machinery suppliers, and end‑users. When leaders from companies like Hollingsworth & Vose or MANN+HUMMEL share their findings publicly, it elevates the entire sector by stimulating healthy competition and accelerating sustainable innovation.
Looking beyond Geneva: FILTREX™ India and FILTREX™ 2027
While INDEX™26 is the immediate highlight, the industry’s momentum continues around the globe. FILTREX™ India 2026 (7–8 October in New Delhi) offers a dedicated platform in one of the world’s fastest‑growing and most pollution‑challenged markets. The event provides a bridge for global companies looking to bring advanced nonwoven technologies to a region urgently seeking cleaner air and water.
Looking further ahead, preparations are underway for FILTREX™ 2027. Whereas INDEX™ spans the entire nonwovens universe, FILTREX™ delivers a specialised deep dive into filtration. It attracts a high‑level audience—from R&D managers to technical directors—focused on the fine details of materials science, testing standards, and evolving regulations. Even outside the traditional filtration sector, FILTREX™ offers insight into the future of clean‑tech, from nonwoven membranes in green hydrogen applications to advanced wastewater treatment.
Filtration’s commitment to innovation
As we prepare for INDEX™26, the message from the nonwovens community is clear: we are ready to lead the transition to a more resource‑efficient world. The insights shared by Dr. Schäfer and Mr. Klein serve as a call to action, reminding us that the air we breathe and the fluids we use are only as clean as the materials we design.
Through 3D structural innovation, digital media engineering, and a collective commitment to circular‑economy principles, the filtration sector is proving that performance and sustainability no longer stand in opposition. Whether in Geneva, New Delhi, or at future FILTREX™ events, the path toward a cleaner future is paved with nonwoven innovation.
Sandra Schäfer
Senior Scientist at Hollingsworth & Vose GmbH .png?width=162&height=189&name=Sandra%20Sch%C3%A4fer%20(2).png)
Martin Klein
Senior Vice President Engineering Filtration Materials at MANN+HUMMEL
