INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine, will present the 2025 IDEA® Achievement Awards at the IDEA25. conference this week in Miami Beach. These awards recognize the most innovative new product introductions in the nonwovens and engineered materials industry since the last IDEA^® event in 2022.

The IDEA^® Achievement Awards celebrate excellence in product innovation across multiple categories, with nominees evaluated on creativity, novelty of approach, uniqueness, and technical sophistication. The winners were selected from three fianlists across six major categries:

IDEA^® Equipment Achievement Award

Dilo Systems GmbH—MicroPunch—The rising energy costs and water shortages have led to a re-evaluation of production methods, with a stronger focus on environmental impact. For DILO, as a manufacturer of needlelooms and a needling specialist, it was therefore a motivation to reconsider the potential of intensive needling in the lightweight sector. With MicroPunch it is possible to reduce energy consumption by approx. 75% compared with other consolidation techniques in the production of lightweight nonwovens. This technology, combined with high needle densities, enhances efficiency and reduces the manufacturing costs for the nonwoven and the environmental footprint of the manufacturing process.

GDM SPA—In Line Laminated Waistband— This solution enables the in-line application of elastic waistbands to diapers, enhancing comfort and fit. It also improves product barriers and prevents back leakage by applying a pocket waistband. Advantages include full process control, reduced system complexity, flexibility in product size changeovers. It ensures 100% use of elastic raw material and offers flexible design options for the final product. The equipment is available both for new lines and existing ones as an upgrade kit.

Oerlikon Neumag—hycuTEC— The Oerlikon Nonwoven hycuTEC unit enhances filter performance by hydrocharging nonwovens, reducing pressure loss by more than 75% compared to conventional methods. It achieves filtration efficiencies of over 99.9% with low energy and water consumption, eliminating additional drying steps. Unlike traditional surface charging, hycuTEC charges each filament for a 10x greater effective area. This future-proof, industrial solution is easy to integrate, maintain, and retrofit, making it ideal for producing high-efficiency filter media.

IDEA^® Long-life Achievement Award

Egal Pads, Inc.— Egal™ Pads on a Roll—Egal believes pads should be as common as toilet paper in public bathrooms. Our vision is that “pads on a roll” will be put in every toilet stall—where they are needed most—to ensure privacy and dignity to all who menstruate. Egal pads are manufactured in roll form, 40 individually wrapped on each roll, so they can be mounted on existing toilet paper dispensers or in Egal’s custom-designed dispensers.

Hempitecture Inc.— PlantPanel—PlantPanel is a 100% biobased and recycled fiber continuous insulation material for use in construction. As an exterior insulated rigid board, PlantPanel improves the energy efficiency of new and existing built structures. PlantPanel is produced with 100% renewable electricity, contributing to a best-in-class carbon footprint

Magnera— Sontara^® Home Compostable Bag—EcoRE bags are produced entirely from cellulosic fibers, presenting a sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic materials. Made with Sontara fabric certified by OK compost HOME, these bags maintain their durability and strength without the need for added binders, addressing a common concern with compostable goods. With plastic bag bans now in place in many states, Sontara offers a timely and eco-friendly solution for the retail and shopping market.

IDEA^® Nonwoven Products Achievement Award

Ahlstrom— BioProtect™— BioProtect is a sustainable nonwoven solution for laundry care to protect laundry from color run during the wash cycle, utilizing the biobased and home compostable OC-Biobinder. BioProtect is biobased, utilizing 100% naturally derived fibers, and biodegradable (ISO14855-1). It is manufactured with wet-laid technology for premium quality. BioProtect™ guarantees high dye catching performance, protecting laundry from color runs. The material benefits from good wet strength and absorption thanks to the 100% biobased and home compostable OC-Biobinder.

Innovatec Microfibre Technology— InnovaWipe Water-Soluble Nonwoven—The biodegradable nonwoven solution for our planet and our future! Our water-soluble nonwoven is completely biodegradable under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It offers excellent resistance to oils, greases and chemicals. Importantly, it does not leave any microplastics behind, breaking down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass. It also has no ecotoxic effects, is safe for the marine environment and does not cause fatbergs or blockages in wastewater systems – flushable and home compostable.

Periodic Products, Inc.— MetalXtract Filter Media—MetalXtract Filter Media by Periodic Products, Inc. uses patented non-toxic Chelok Polymer Technology to adsorb ionic metals, including lead, selenium, cobalt, iron, and rare earths from water. This technology offers 100-500 times greater adsorption than traditional ion exchange resins. Effective at high flow rates and across a 2 to 14 pH range ensures efficient contamination control, making this ideal for wastewater treatment, mining applications, and environmental remediation. Additionally, this technology is biodegradable, eco-friendly, and sustainable.

IDEA^® Raw Materials Achievement Award

BASF SE— SAVIVA B 800—SAVIVA B 800 with its unique droplet polymerization is an innovative superabsorbent polymer offering very high absorption capacity and gel strength as well as soft haptics thanks to its round-shaped particles, which contribute to optimal wearer comfort. Rapid skin dryness and excellent long-term dryness are achieved through optimized acquisition speed. SAVIVA B 800 enables reduced SAP loading, leading to thinner, lower weight diapers, thereby supporting social and ecological sustainability goals, especially in the adult incontinence sector.

OrganoClick AB— OC-Biobinder—OrganoClicks OC-Biobinder represents a series of bio-based and plastic free binders intended for the nonwoven industry. They are produced from renewable raw materials and residual streams from the food industry and replace traditional fossil-based plastic binders and reduce CO2 emissions. OC-Biobinder^® is available with many different properties adapted to the production of home compostable nonwoven materials such as premium napkins, tablecloths and wet wipes.

Woolchemy NZ Ltd— neweFibre—Woolchemy’s neweFibre is the world’s first hygiene-grade wool, engineered for high-performance, sustainable hygiene products. This fully traceable, renewable fiber enhances moisture management, thermal comfort, and odor control. Seamlessly integrating into production, neweFibre powers innovations like neweFlex ADL for exceptional fluid distribution and skin dryness. By transforming wool into a hygiene-grade material, Woolchemy unlocks millennia of evolution—bringing wool’s proven benefits from clothing into smart disposable hygiene, enhancing performance, comfort, and sustainability.

IDEA^® Short-life Achievement Award

Egal Pads, Inc.— Egal Pads on a Roll—At Egal, the belief is that pads should be as common as toilet paper. Our vision is that “pads on a roll” will be put in every toilet stall—where they are needed most—to ensure privacy and dignity to all who menstruate. Egal pads are manufactured in roll form, 40 individually wrapped on each roll, so they can be mounted on existing toilet paper dispensers or in Egal’s custom-designed dispensers.

Hello Hazel, Inc.— Hazel High & Dry Brief—Hazel is transforming the $14B incontinence market with the first-ever super chic, disposable brief for leaks, disrupting a category dominated by legacy brands. 1 in 2 women experience bladder leaks due to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause—yet 77% hate the existing bulky, plastic-heavy options. Hazel’s High & Dry Brief is ultra-thin, body-conforming, and built with patented fibers that absorb 200 times their weight—delivering the elevated experience women deserve. 66.5% of Hazel’s customers are new to the category, proving Hazel isn’t just another product—it’s expanding the total addressable market (TAM) by bringing in women who previously had no solution.

Swoobie— Swoobie Bra Liner—Swoobie bra liners adhere to the inside of your bra to keep your skin dry and the bra fresh. Cutting-edge hygienic materials wick away moisture, locking it away for all-day wetness protection. Swoobie’s generous sizing and unique design offers versatile placement to meet the coverage needs of all women. Swoobies are made from soft layers of highly-absorbent materials that conform to a bra's cup for a comfortable and secure fit. With Swoobie bra liners you'll arrive ready, not sweaty.

IDEA^® Sustainability Advancement Award

Hiro Technologies— The World’s First Mycodigestible™ Diapers—Introducing the world's first Mycodigestible™ diapers, powered by HIRO’s frontier fungal technology. HIRO’s Mycodigestible™ solution introduces plastic-eating fungi in a safe, user-friendly way that seamlessly integrates into everyday life. The HIRO Diaper combines exceptional absorbency with natural materials like unbleached TruCotton™ and Kraft softwood fluff pulp, offering 12-hour protection while being gentle on both baby and planet.

Kindcloth— Pura Health Insect Repellent Water-Dissolvable Wipes—Kindcloth Insect Repellent Wet Wipe combines water-dissolvable Hydropol technology with a natural formula featuring lemongrass and citronella. Designed for eco-conscious consumers, this innovative wipe provides effective insect protection while leaving no waste behind. Certified biodegradable, flushable, and designed not to create harmful microplastics, it safeguards fragile ecosystems and supports sustainability goals. Born in Africa to tackle malaria and protect biodiversity, this groundbreaking product reflects KINDCLOTH™’s commitment to health, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

OrganoClick AB— OC-Biobinder—OrganoClicks OC-Biobinder represents a series of bio-based and plastic free binders intended for the nonwoven industry. They are produced from renewable raw materials and residual streams from the food industry and replace traditional fossil-based plastic binders and reduce CO2 emissions. OC-Biobinder® is available with many different properties adapted to the production of home compostable nonwoven materials such as premium napkins, tablecloths and wet wipes.