INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine, presented the 2025 IDEA® Achievement Awards at the IDEA25 conference yesterday 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.
Award winners:
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.
IDEA® Long-life Achievement Award
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® 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.
IDEA® Raw Materials Achievement Award
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® Nonwoven Products Achievement Award
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.
IDEA® Sustainability Advancement Award
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.
