Geneva will host the largest international exhibition of products non - woven

Index 05, the international exhibition of industry of woven products, will be held in the Palace of exhibitions Geneva Palexpo of Geneva (Switzerland) from 12 to 15 April 2005. Index 05 will present the latest advances in technology of woven products and applications, and will bring together more than 80% of the industry in the international sector. Expected Index 05 numerous products and technologies for new and more sophisticated woven materials; in particular, car companies, of cleaning and hygiene, medical, packaging, furniture, domestic, filtration, building and construction, as well as other industrial sectors. Index 05 will also offer a set of new complementary events.

With nearly 450 exhibitors representing producers of raw materials, finishing, processors, experts in environmental protection specialists, equipment manufacturers measure and test, business associations and press, coming from a number record of 35 countries, on a surface of almost 21,000 square metres of exhibition, no other event in the world brings together at the same time more misunderstandings of the woven industry.

"We are very pleased with the number of exhibitors, and to have representatives from countries as distant as Argentina, Algeria and Iran for the first time," says Pierre Wiertz, Director General of Edana, the Trade Federation European materials woven and sponsor of the exhibition; and adds: "With the wide range of exhibitors and special events presented, visitors to the exhibition, held every three years, have a fantastic opportunity to keep abreast of innovations and market trends that will determine the future of the industry of woven material".

The woven materials are materials of unique design, with structures similar to the tissues, which are used more and more in a growing range of applications. The woven materials can be of a single use or very durable, and may have functions specific such as absorbency, impermeability to liquids, resistance, elasticity, malleability, tenacity, flame, protection against blows retarder, filtering, bacterial barrier and sterility, to name just a few. The large number of properties and advantages than woven materials can offer have been a constant growth of this sector. In the last ten years, global production is has more than doubled, reaching over 4 million tonnes in 2004.

Innovations in products and equipment that will be showcased at Index 05 will cover from new adhesive solutions and rolled up progress in the management of SAP (Super-absorbent polymer) and spinning with Binder technology, cutting-edge technology in roller and engravingnanofibers, absorbent fabrics, mechanical technology and equipment of trials, to name a few.

The research to find lighter, cheaper, multi-functional and high-performance materials focused on current concerns such as security or convenience and comfort, along with increasingly restrictive environmental regulations, have generated new business opportunities and urged the industry to introduce woven materials in new fields of application. Technological advances have helped companies develop materials woven of high performance, great functional advantages, which replace more and more traditional materials in certain applications.

Index 05 will also host a series of special events, many of which will be held for the first time that they will provide a valuable additional platform for sharing knowledge and establish a network of contacts with business from around the world. The highlights include:

For the first time Index 05 will offer a series of daily product presentations that show visitors cutting-edge innovations and the latest developments in industry woven. Afternoons from 12 and April 14 will be special emphasis in the field of filtration, with two "sessions on developments in filtering". The companies that will take place presentations of products include: Ahlstrom, Aichele Werkzeuge, BBA Fiberweb, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Cognex, The Dow Chemical Company, Fibertex, FiberVisions, Finotech, Hip-Mitsu, Hollingsworth & Vose, Jacob Holm, Johns Manville, Nordson, PBI - Dansensor A/S, Reifenhauser, Rohm & Haas and Tredegar.

Index 05 will host the presentation of the Academy of woven products research founded to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and research results, and to encourage the development of technical understanding and knowledge that will help to sustain the growth of the industry of woven products. Designed to be a dynamic and interactive event, this first Forum provides scholars, students, researchers, scientists and engineers an exceptional opportunity to present research studies, and share views and opinions on the future of materials woven. Future meetings of the Academy alternate each year between centres of excellence in materials woven, with the focus on Europe and putting special emphasis on the areas with the highest concentration of expertise and research projects under way in the place of meeting.

More information: www.index05.org