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Material Science Innovations Highlighted at RISE® 2019

Focus on Sustainable, Sourcing, and Disposal Technologies in Engineered Fabrics

Cary, NC, May 20, 2019 – Innovations in material science, sustainability, and the factors driving nonwovens market trends will be presented at RISE, the conference on Research, Innovation and Science for Engineered Fabrics, coming to Raleigh, NC this fall on Sept. 24-25.

Focused on sustainable breaking developments in sourcing and disposal/reuse, the two-day in-depth technical conference will feature new solutions for sustainable additives, sustainable polymers, sustainable recycling, and new product developments amid market shifts and trends that drive advances in nonwovens. Registration is now open on the RISE website.

RISE highlights include a keynote presentation from Andrea Ferris, Chief Executive Officer, Intrinsic Textiles Group, on the CiCLO technology that allows polyester to biodegrade in marine environments, wastewater treatment plants and landfill conditions at rates similar to fibers like wool.

A preliminary preview of presentations includes:

• Open Innovation and a Human-centered Approach for the Nonwovens Industry
  Matthew Tipper, Ph.D., Business Director, Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute

• Environmentally Friendly Sourced Resins, Fibers & Polymers Under Development
  Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., The William A. Klopman Distinguished Chaired Professor of Materials in the College of Textiles at North Carolina State University and Founding Executive Director of The Nonwovens Institute
  
• Recent Fiber Innovations to Reduce Single Use Plastics
  Tom Carlyle, Global Project Manager, Special Projects & Global Business Management, Lenzing Fibers Inc.
  
• Additive Technology to Enhance Biodegradation & Renewable Biopolymers to Replace Polyethylene and Polypropylene
  Teresa Clark, Vice President of Product Development & Sustainability, ENSO Plastics
• First 100% Recycled Biodegradable Performance Synthetic Fiber for Textiles
  Vanessa Mason, Senior Vice President of Engineering, PrimaLoft
  
• Nodax PHA Copolymers
  Isao Noda, Chief Science Officer and Senior VP of Innovation, Danimer Scientific
• Developments on Next Generation Latex Binders for the Nonwoven Industry: A Formaldehyde-free, Self-cross-linking Technology Platform
  Soren Butz, Ph.D., Global Head of Technical Service Textiles, Synthomer GmbH
  
• Sustainable Additives: Susan Selke, Ph.D., Professor, Director, School of Packaging, Michigan State University
  
• Innovation in Developing Antimicrobials
  Nicholas Swain, CEO – Rep-L Antimicrobials, Inc.
  
• Microfibers & Aquatic Environments
  Janet O’Regan, Director, Nonwovens Marketing, Cotton Incorporated
  
• Patent Landscape in Nonwovens
  Angela D’Orio, North Carolina State University, Principal Investigator: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D.
  
• Market Dynamics & Trends that are Driving Innovation in Nonwovens
  Brad Kalil, Director of Market Research & Statistics, INDA

Co-organized with The Nonwovens Institute, the ninth edition of the RISE conference will take place on the Centennial Campus at North Carolina State University. Participants will also have the opportunity on Sept. 24 to tour the Institute’s $50 million-plus, 60,000 square-foot facilities featuring state-of-the art equipment, pilot lines and analytical facilities, and attend a networking reception.

More than 150 technology scouts will take a deep dive into the newest research and science advances, hear riveting presentations from industry experts, view poster displays by doctoral degree students from NC State, vote on the RISE^® Innovation Award, and network with other tech trailblazers.

RISE^® Innovation Award

Nominations are now being accepted online for the RISE Innovation Award that recognizes innovation in areas within and on the periphery of the nonwovens industry that use advanced science and engineering principles to develop unique or intricate solutions to problems and advance the use of nonwovens. The finalists will be announced in September and conference attendees will have a vote in selecting the winner that will be announced at RISE 2019.  

DiviDiaper won the award last year for its innovative design that helps to prevent and reduce both infant and incontinence-associated dermatitis in adults, urinary tract infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and other infections and pressure sores.

For complete program information and the latest speaker additions, visit the RISE 2019 website. Hotel accommodations for registered attendees are being offered at the nearby StateView Hotel Autograph Collection by Marriott.

About INDA

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, serves hundreds of member companies in the nonwovens/engineered fabrics industry in global commerce. Since 1968, INDA events have helped members connect, learn, 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. For more information, visit www.inda.org, or download the INDA mobile app for immediate updates. 

About The Nonwovens Institute

The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) is the world’s first accredited academic program for the interdisciplinary field of engineered fabrics. Based at the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, the NWI is an innovative global partnership between industry, government, and academe. Operating on an “Open Innovation” platform, the Nonwovens Institute engages experts from industry and higher education in building next-generation nonwoven applications while also providing training and guidance to the field’s future leaders.

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