Business magnates, product visionaries, and technology aficionados recently congregated at the RISE ® (Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics) Conference, held on Sept. 26-27 in Raleigh, NC. Over two enriching days, the conference, jointly orchestrated by INDA and The Nonwovens Institute at North Carolina State University, cast a spotlight on the latest breakthroughs in material science, inventive processes, and pioneering sustainability practices.
Eminent figures from the industrial sphere, academia, and governance imparted their deep-rooted knowledge across a spectrum of pressing topics:
Anticipated trajectories in nonwoven manufacturing. Ground breaking advancements and real-time applications in filter media. The ever-evolving landscape of polymers and their sustainability quotient. Circular solutions and pioneering strategies for the modern world. Recent innovations in eco-friendly nonwoven applications.
Comprehensive insights into market statistics and emerging trends
A salient feature of RISE was an academic poster session showcasing foundational research in nonwovens by the bright minds at The Nonwovens Institute. Adding to the conference’s allure, attendees were treated to an exclusive guided tour of The Nonwovens Institute’s state-of-the-art facilities situated at North Carolina State University’s Centennial Campus. This tour provided an unparalleled view into a vast array of lab and pilot-scale equipment, encapsulating every nonwoven platform and associated testing modality.
Highlighting RISE ®’s Best Innovators
Earning the top honor, TiHive’s trailblazing SAPMonit technology clinched the 2023 RISE Innovation Award. This groundbreaking solution provides rapid inline inspections of millions of diapers every week. The technology’s prowess lies in its ability to swiftly evaluate the weight and dispersion of superabsorbents, streamline resources, pinpoint defects, and fast-track research and development endeavors. At its core, SAPMonit employs cutting-edge see-through cameras, accelerated vision algorithms, and a robust cloud infrastructure. The potential of SAPMonit to enhance sustainability, optimize costs, and amplify customer contentment is underscored by its capacity to avert hundreds of tons of plastic wastage annually for each machine it’s integrated with.
The esteemed list of finalists for the RISE Innovation Award also featured commendable innovations like the JOA® Electronic Size Change by Curt. G. Joa, Inc., the eco-centric BicoBio Fiber by Fiberpartner Aps, and the avant-garde Reifenhäuser Reicofil RF5 XHL by Reifenhäuser REICOFIL GmbH & Co. KG. These trailblazers collectively present solutions that could curtail plastic waste by staggering magnitudes. In the previous year, DiaperRecycle garnered accolades by bagging the RISE ® Innovation Award for its ingenious approach to transform used diapers into highly absorbent and eco-friendly cat litter.
Lifetime Achievement Recognition
Ed Thomas, who helms Nonwoven Technology Associates, LLC as its President, received the 2023 INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award for his long-standing commitment and significant contributions to the nonwoven sector.