BRUSSELS – The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA) has launched a new e-learning initiative intended to build fundamental nonwovens knowledge across functional teams in companies worldwide.
The first programme, a Fundamental Nonwovens series of e-courses, is now available through industry associations, EDANA and INDA.
Developed jointly by the two organisations, the series is designed as a common entry-level platform for professionals either entering the nonwovens sector or moving into new roles linked to nonwoven materials and technologies. It targets staff in commercial, operational, regulatory, technical, and corporate functions who need a grounded understanding of how nonwovens are made and used.
The online curriculum introduces learners to the essential building blocks of the industry, covering the global nonwovens landscape, main raw materials, web formation and web bonding, alongside related manufacturing concepts. The content is structured as interactive modules, allowing participants to progress at their own pace while engaging with process-oriented explanations that connect materials, machinery, and end-use performance.
GNA expects to expand the programme in summer 2026 with additional modules on finishing treatments. This next phase will extend coverage beyond web formation and bonding to include the finishing operations that influence surface properties, handle, and functional performance in end-use applications.
While the courses are introductory in scope, they are positioned to support day-to-day industrial decision-making rather than purely academic learning. Participants are guided through how different nonwovens manufacturing routes affect fabric structure and properties, and how these differences translate into performance in hygiene, wipes, filtration, medical, automotive, construction and other technical markets.
For manufacturers and brand owners, the initiative offers a scalable professional development tool that can be deployed across sites and geographies. By providing a consistent vocabulary and shared conceptual framework, GNA aims to help companies reduce early-stage knowledge gaps, improve communication between technical and commercial teams, and shorten the time it takes new employees to become productive contributors.
According to GNA CEO Murat Dogru, e-learning is viewed as a practical way to capitalise on the combined reach and expertise of the alliance’s founding associations. “By bringing together the knowledge and reach of INDA and EDANA, we are creating a consistent learning experience that helps professionals around the world build a stronger understanding of nonwovens and contribute more confidently from day one,” he said.
The initiative also reflects GNA’s broader remit to align EDANA and INDA’s activities where a coordinated approach can benefit the sector, while preserving the regional focus of each organisation. GNA was set up to support collaboration on education, industry insight and advocacy, and to provide a more unified voice for nonwovens globally.
Hadrien Tournier, Global Director of Professional Development at GNA, underlined that the alliance draws on decades of educational experience within both associations. “Together, through GNA, we are making high-quality learning more accessible to companies and professionals across the global value chain,” he said.
The Fundamental Nonwovens e-courses are accessible through both EDANA and INDA’s websites, enabling member and non-member companies in different regions to integrate the modules into internal training and onboarding programmes. As the curriculum develops, GNA is positioning the platform as a foundation for more advanced and specialised nonwovens training that can support future skills needs in areas such as sustainability, circularity and regulatory compliance.
To learn more or purchase the courses, visit:
INDA: www.inda.org/training/fundamental-nonwovens.php
EDANA: www.edana.org/professional-development/e-learning/nonwovens-fundamentals
