Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA)
INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, serves hundreds of member companies in the nonwovens / engineered fabrics industry doing business globally. Since 1968, INDA networking events have helped members connect, innovate and develop their businesses. INDA educational courses, market data, test methods, consultancy and issue advocacy help members succeed by providing them the information they need to better plan and execute their business strategies.
Company details
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- Business Type:
- Professional association
- Industry Type:
- Textile
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
Who We Are
Founded in 1968, INDA member companies represent the entire nonwovens value-chain. From raw materials and roll goods producers, to machinery manufacturers and converters, to brand owners, we work each day to fulfill our mission of “fostering member and industry success through its activities.” We do this by providing thought-leadership in Innovation & Technology through conference content, recognition awards and industry reports; protecting markets that are important to our members through focused Product Stewardship; advocating for industry sectors impacted by regulatory or consumer driven issues; organizing face-to-face interaction through industry expositions and events to facilitate the advancement of each participants’ interests; recruiting, educating and training industry members through strengthened outreach and broadening of on-site and on-line courses relevant to experience levels and market segments; and enhancing access to new markets through international activities.
Who We Are
INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry
INDA serves hundreds of member companies in the nonwovens/engineered fabrics industry doing business globally. Since 1968, INDA networking events have helped members connect, innovate and develop their businesses. INDA educational courses, market data, test methods, consultancy and issue advocacy help members succeed by providing them the information they need to better plan and execute their business strategies.
INDA’s Team has over 100 years of combined industry experience and is dedicated to serving their members. Sourcing, new product application, strategic planning and business development are some of the consulting services the INDA Team offers their members. For answers to how INDA can best serve you, please contact one of the INDA Staff.
History
The Beginnings of INDA
On April 16, 1968, the formation of “The Disposables Association” was announced at a press gathering held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The Association was founded as a non-profit organization of company membership to collect and develop factual information, while providing a legally sanctioned and supervised forum for the industry in which common problems could be discussed and programs to solve them devised.
In July, 1972, the group effected a name change to more accurately reflect the scope of its interests and the membership it serves. The organization’s name became International Nonwovens and Disposables Association, otherwise known as “INDA”. This change would help communicate that nonwoven fabrics could be manufactured and used in many end products, of both durable and disposable natures.
The International Disposables Exposition and Assembly (IDEA)
It was INDA who first determined there was a need for a worldwide event to act as a meeting ground where all levels of the nonwovens industry – users, suppliers, manufacturers – could learn from each other. The first International Disposables Exposition and Assembly, otherwise known as IDEA, took place in October of 1971 at the Philadelphia Civic Center, Pennsylvania. The conference program, featuring sessions of learning and interest to users, manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of nonwoven fabrics, and an exposition gave an opportunity for the entire industry to showcase products. With over 3,000 attendees, the success of the event led to more expos including IDEA 74 in October at the New York Coliseum in New York, New York.
Growth in the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry
As the global nonwovens industry grew, it became clear that one association could not adequately serve the needs of the world, thus EDANA (The European Disposables and Nonwovens Association) and several Asian Nonwovens Associations were formed. The Association’s name, “INDA”, was officially changed to “The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry” in 1976. However, after years of use the word “INDA” remains as an identifiable acronym for the official title of the Association.
INDA Today
Today, INDA is still well known for its conferences, expositions and training courses as well as monitoring government policies affecting the industry, while managing issues affecting the industry’s worldwide standards and image. The IDEA Conference and Exposition continues to successfully serve the worldwide nonwovens industry. The event is now held every three years in the United States on a rotation schedule between EDANA’s European show and an Asian show.
The nonwoven fabrics industry is ever-changing, from the names and owners of the companies to new technologies dealing with chemicals, equipment and processes. However, INDA’s purpose remains the same: “INDA brings companies of the nonwoven fabrics industry together to address and resolve the issues affecting their business and serves as the voice sending the message as directed by its members.”
Mission Statement
INDA Value Proposition: Shape the external environment and help the nonwovens industry and their customers achieve business growth.
In response to challenges and opportunities in the industry, INDA developed five key pillars to support the growth of the nonwovens industry.
These pillars are:
- Convene and connect the industry
- Achieve industry relevance among policymakers, end-users and other key stakeholders
- Advocate for the nonwovens industry in public policy forums
- Deliver market insights for better decision making
Provide training programs to sustain the industry’s innovative edge
The first pillar, Convene and Connect, is substantially met by INDA’s trade shows and conferences. These events and other avenues for exchanging information and thought leadership engage the nonwovens industry to advance their business and collaboration objectives. The current IDEA®, FiltXPO™, World of Wipes® International (WOW) Conference, RISE® – Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics Conference, and Hygienix™ will continue.
The second pillar, Driving Industry Relevance among key stakeholders, is aimed towards educating policymakers, consumers and brand owners of the benefits of the industry and its products. The goal is for key stakeholders to understand the important role that nonwovens play in delivering performance benefits that consumers value.
The third pillar, Advocate for the Nonwovens Industry, builds upon the second by advocating for the nonwovens industry in public policy forums. This means that INDA will advocate for its members and the nonwovens industry at the federal and state level as well as engage with international partners. The goal is to ensure that INDA’s members can produce and sell their products without excessive government regulations.
The fourth pillar, Deliver Market Insights, is to develop and deliver market research and insights so INDA members and the nonwovens industry can make informed business decisions. Having the right market research assists members in making sound capital investments by ensuring they have a good line of sight on demand and supply-demand balance.
The fifth pillar, Provide Training, focuses on workforce development to supply and maintain human talent to sustain innovation in the industry. INDA will accomplish this through on-demand, in-person and customized professional career development programs which meet, and anticipate, the needs of the industry.