Nonwovens conference, RISE 2019, set for Sept. 24-25

The Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) presents RISE 2019 Sept. 24–25 at North Carolina State University (NC State) in Raleigh, N.C. The conference is designed to be two days of in-depth technical exploration into “what’s next” and “what’s needed” from leaders in materials research and innovative science as applied to engineered fabrics, the organizers of the event announce.

Attendees will have the opportunity to see next applications and product development directions; gain experience; source new ideas; and scout new technologies and market segments. More than 130 science-based knowledge leaders will be on hand.

The keynote speech, “Synthetic Microfiber Pollution and Textile Waste Reduction,” will be presented by Andrea Ferris, co-founder, Intrinsic Textiles Group.

The preliminary program lineup also includes these topics and presenters:

• “Open Innovation and a Human-centered Approach for Nonwovens,” Matthew Tipper, business director, Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute
• “Environmentally Friendly Sourced Resins, Fibers and Polymers Under Development,” Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., The William A. Klopman distinguished chaired professor of materials in the College of Textiles at NC State and founding executive director of the Nonwovens Institute
• “Developments on Next-Generation Latex Binders for the Nonwoven Industry,” Soeren Butz, Ph.D., global head of technical service textiles, Synthomer GmbH, Germany
• “Recent Fiber Innovations to Reduce Single-Use Plastics,” Tom Carlyle, global project manager – special projects and global business management – nonwovens, Lenzing Fibers Inc.
• “Microfibers and Aquatic Environments,” Jan O’Regan, director, nonwovens marketing, Cotton Inc.
• “Market Dynamics and Trends That Are Driving Innovation in Nonwovens,” Brad Kalil, director of market research and statistics, INDA
• “Intelligent Heating: Conductive Coating for Nonwovens,” Vicki A. Barbur, Ph.D., senior director, ip and technology commercialization, Battelle; and Amy Heintz, Ph.D., technical fellow, materials science, Battelle
• “Thermoplastic-based Nonwoven Composites: The New Promising Lightweight Materials for Automotive Structures,” departments of automotive engineering, Clemson Composites Center, and materials, science and engineering, Clemson University
• “Synthetic Microfiber Pollution and Textile Waste Reduction,” Andrea Ferris, Intrinsic Textiles Group
• “3D Printing for Nonwovens and Textiles,” Olaf Isele, principal, Metaxi SimBioSys LLC

Also available during the conference is a tour of the SpunMelt and Hydroentangling $50-plus million, 60,000-square-foot pilot facility and test lab at The Nonwovens Institute at NC State.  Attendees will have the opportunity to view poster displays by doctoral degree students from the university and vote on the RISE Innovation Award.  

The event is co-organized with The Nonwovens Institute and NC State. 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.