Significant growth anticipated for high-performance nonwovens, was the conclusion of the second Conference on Nonwovens for High-performance Applications held in Cannes, France on March 5.

“Although some advanced nonwovens have started to become commoditised, it is clear that growth is driven mainly by the continuous development of new areas of application,” delegates were told.

Brad Kalil from INDA gave the keynote talk, and he and industry expert and conference chair Adrian Wilson, outlined the current trends and growth markets for engineered fabrics.

Other speakers from Tenowo, EcoTechnilin, Reicofil, Norafin, Metis Technologies and Technical Absorbents delved deeper into specific applications areas.

These areas included automotive, composites, medical and filtration where technological developments and end use requirements in materials and processes are driving growth in advanced nonwovens.

“We were very impressed with the level of attendees, and the range of organisations at this event,” said conference chair Adrian Wilson.

According to the organisers, delegates declared the event a valuable and unique opportunity to co-locate different strands of the global industry together in one venue.

Networking between speakers and delegates alike was easy during the conference, particularly in the exhibition area and during the conference reception at the end of the first day.

Lively and extended discussion was enabled during the forums at the end of each of the four conference sessions.

Matthew Tipper of the Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute Centre said, “It an excellent balance between academic research and industrial innovation.”

“I have come back with a few innovative ideas and made some great contacts that will help move our business forward,” he added.

Examining market, product and technology intelligence for advanced nonwovens, the sessions included; Markets and Opportunities; Pioneering new applications; Game-changing technologies and Specialist applications. (AR)