CARY, NC – October 20, 2004 – The latest technical research in the nonwovens industry was presented at the recent International Nonwovens Technical Conference (INTC) in Canada, and the recipients of the INTC 2004 Best Papers competition were announced this week by INTC co-sponsors INDA and TAPPI.

The overall winner of the INTC 2004 Best Paper is Griffin Gappert, of Rohm & Haas, for his paper titled “Predictive Test Methods for Acrylic Thermoset Binders." Gappert received a $1000 award for this recognition.

More than 400 professionals from industry and academia heard more than 70 technical papers during INTC 2004, September 20-23, 2004 in Toronto. The annual technical conference is co-sponsored by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and the Nonwovens Division of TAPPI, Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry.

“INTC provides an important forum for the presentation of the latest technical research in the fields of nonwovens and engineered fabrics,” says INDA President Rory Holmes. “The papers that have been selected as recipients of this recognition represent the ‘Best of the Best’ in the vital research that will bring our industry into the future.”

For the first time, each session at INTC recognized a Best Paper and from those papers an overall winner was chosen.

Receiving recognition as INTC 2004 Best Papers recipients are:

INTC 2004 BEST PAPER OVERALL
Binders & Additives: Author: Griffin Gappert, Rohm & Haas;
“Predictive Test Methods for Acrylic Thermoset Binders"

Session: Product Development Tutorial
Author: Theodore R. Remaklus, Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP;
"Intellectual Property & New Product/Process Development

Session: Modeling Short Course
Author: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., NCRC/NCSU;
"Hydroentangling"

Session: Filtration
Author: Casey Dyer, Porous Materials Inc.;
“Pore Volumes of Nanofiber Nonwovens"

Session: Building & Industrial Mat
Author: William Henry, Advance Systems, Inc.;
"How to Level Temperature Profiles for Mat Line Dryers"

Session: Properties & Performance I
Author: Benoit Maze, NCRC/NCSU;
"3D Simulation of Nonwoven Structure

Session: Wipes
Author: Jim Robinson, Hygenitec LLC;
"Wipes--Convenience in Technology: Product Development for Growth"

Properties & Performance II
Author: Peter Spicka, Fluent, Inc.; "Product Performance Analysis Model for Nonwoven Absorbent Media"

Session: Automotive
Author: Gajanan Bhat, Ph.D., University of Tennessee;
"Cotton Fiber Nonwovens for Automotive Composites"

Session: Polymers & Fibers I
Author: Roy Broughton, Ph.D., Auburn University;
"New Solvents for Cellulose Fiber Production"

Session: Process Technology
Author: Don Shiffler, Ph.D., NCRC/NCSU;
"An Examination of the Hydroentangling Process Variables"

Session: Insulation
Author: Desi Chari, Rohm & Haas;
"Regulatory Road Map for Formaldehyde Emissions & Other Hazardous Air Pollutants in Fiberglass Insulation Materials in the United States"

Session: Polymers & Fibers II
Author: Svetlana Verenich, NCRC/NCSU;
"Enzymatic Treatment of Cotton Fibers for Improving Properties of Nonwovens"

Session: Spunbond/Meltblown
Author: Vishnu Marla, University of Oklahoma;
"Varieties of Melt Blowing Dies"

Session: Barriers
Author: Karen Leonas, Ph.D., University of Georgia;
"Using LSCM to Study the Transmission Mechanism of Small Particles Through Surgical Face Masks"

INTC 2005 will be held Sept. 19-22, 2005 at the Millennium Hotel, St. Louis, Mo.