DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 7 Wonders of Future Cities today marks 77 days until global voting begins on www.7wondersfc.com on 31 October 2026. The day, also known as World Cities Day, will be when the public can start choosing amongst the participating cities and developments, to become historically recognised as the leading representatives of the future of urban life.
According to Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Chairman of the 7 Wonders of Future Cities campaign, "Public participation, global visibility and the status of our recognised brand can transform urban vision into a shared cause, and we are seeing this already with motivating engagement from participating cities and developments from all over the world."
Chie Kobayashi, Global Initiatives Manager for Minato Mirai 21 in Yokohama, Japan, says "We are proud to contribute our experience and vision for creating sustainable, people-focused cities of the future through the 7 Wonders of Future Cities initiative."
Sabine Müller, Chairwoman of aspern Seestadt in Vienna, Austria, says: "We joined the 7 Wonders of Future cities initiative to stand alongside world-leading urban developments, to share our vision of an innovative, sustainable and liveable city for many future generations."
Jeremy Fasser, Mayor of Stellenbosch, South Africa, considers that the future city vision for Adam Tas Corridor "is about creating walkable, connected, mixed-use and mixed-income neighbourhoods where homes, schools, workplaces, public spaces and opportunities are within easy reach - about building a city that connects rather than divides."
Eduardo Pimentel, Mayor of Curitiba, Brazil, says participating "is an opportunity to show the world a city that combines planning, innovation, sustainability and, above all, care for people."
Służewiec, in Warsaw, Poland, believes that "participating in the competition will highlight the work put into the transformation process and allow other cities around the world to learn from our example."
For participant Konza Technopolis, southeast of Nairobi, Kenya, its CEO John Paul Okwiri believes that participation in the campaign provides an opportunity to share Kenya's experience in developing a purpose-built smart city with a global audience.
7 Wonders of Future Cities campaign Chairman Jean-Paul de la Fuente summarises the growing momentum: "With 77 days remaining to voting, now is the time that participating cities and developments can build strong foundations of awareness and support locally, nationally and internationally, and that will for sure become valuable assets for when the competition gets underway."
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
77 DAYS TO GO: 7 WONDERS OF FUTURE CITIES COUNTS DOWN TO START OF VOTING
Reusable absorbent hygiene manufacturer Confitex Technology has won the hygiene industry's two top innovation awards, validating washable alternatives to single-use period and incontinence pads and liners – and signaling a more sustainable future for personal hygiene.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Confitex Technology has become the first company to win both of the global nonwovens industry's top awards – the INDEX Award, presented at the INDEX26 expo in Geneva in May 2026, and the Hygienix Innovation Award, presented in the US in November 2025. Its breakthrough washable nonwoven absorbent hygiene products prove that the nonwoven materials used in single-use pads, liners, incontinence guards and bed pads can be stabilised to survive machine washing and tumble drying, and excellent absorbency can be achieved without petroleum-based superabsorbent polymers (SAPs).
Confitex Technology Founder and CEO Frantisek Riha-Scott says the implications are huge. "What Confitex Technology has done is unlock an entirely new product category – washable, reusable absorbent hygiene products that perform as well as, or better than, disposables, at a price point that works for mainstream consumers and mass-market retailers. It's the beginning of a consumer category shift comparable to the move from single-use plastic bags to reusables."
The global absorbent hygiene products (AHP) market is valued at about USD 123.5 billion, with reusable products making up less than 15 percent but growing at a CAGR of 6.89%. EU regulatory pressure supports a move away from single-use plastic products, and the French government recently announced menstrual equity subsidies for reusable period underwear at population scale.
The INDEX Award jury – a panel of global industry experts convened by Brussels-based AHP industry body EDANA – highlighted the market opportunity: "By making absorbent nonwovens fully laundry-compatible, the technology enables nonwoven suppliers to enter the rapidly growing reusable market, historically dominated by textile products. At the same time, the product delivers improved absorbency, leak protection and ease of care for users, while supporting sustainability goals through reusability and the use of predominantly natural-based fibres."
Confitex Technology's award-winning nonwoven reusable pads are up to 90 percent bio-based, contain no SAPS, and have been independently lab-tested by Intertek to match or exceed the absorbency of single-use equivalents. All incoming bulk raw materials are tested for PFAS 'forever chemicals' and all Confitex Technology products meet OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification.
Confitex Technology Executive Director Lisa Voyle says the company is partnering with global retailers and leading FMCG players to build the washable nonwoven category for mainstream adoption across European and North American markets.
About the awards
The INDEX Awards are presented triennially by Brussels-based nonwovens association EDANA and considered the industry's highest accolade. The Hygienix Innovation Award is presented annually by US-based industry body INDA to honour breakthrough technologies advancing the AHP industry.
About Confitex Technology
Confitex Technology is the tech leader in reusable absorbent hygiene – designing and manufacturing washable absorbent hygiene products (including reusable period pads and liners, period underwear, incontinence underwear, incontinence products, maternity products, pet products, baby products and bed pads) on behalf of private-label retailers, brands and distributors worldwide from its own automated facilities in Asia and Europe. Confitex Technology's innovations are protected by over 60 granted patents and its operations hold ISO 13485, EU Medical Device CE Mark, MDSAP, OEKO-TEX STeP, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and FSC Chain of Custody (FSC CoC) certifications.
Read more at confitextechnology.com
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Confitex Technology wins INDEX Award and Hygienix Innovation Award for world-first washable nonwoven absorbent hygiene products
