Over 170 professionals in materials science, product development and new technologies participated in ninth edition of RISE—Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics, at NC State University in Raleigh recently. The focus of RISE was on 3 major sessions: sustainable additives & polymers, circular innovation, and market data & intelligence trends.

The event was co-organised by INDA, the Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, The Nonwovens Institute and NC State University. 

"I learned a lot," said Basak Ozturk, senior researcher, hygiene, Hyat Kimya San AS. "This conference provides valuable new nuggets of information and I always make six to eight strong connections," said Darryl Fournier, vice president, North America, Fibertex Nonwovens. "I like the diversity, this is my sixth time at RISE making connections," said Sanjiv Malkan, PhD, engineering principal, textile & adhesive engineering, Hunter Douglas.

Highlights of the event included keynote presentations on CiClo Sustainable Textile Technology, a technology that allows polyester to biodegrade in marine environments, wastewater treatment plants and landfill conditions, by Andrea Ferris, chief executive officer, Intrinsic Advanced Materials; The US Economic Outlook, by John Connaughton, PhD, Barings professor of financial economics, UNC-Charlotte; and Biodegradation Promoting Additions for Plastics – Questions You Should Ask, by Susan E Selke, PhD, director and professor – School of Packaging, Michigan State University.

The programme included presentations on sustainable additives, innovations, a poster exhibition presented by The Nonwovens Institute highlighting 15 examples of new research from graduate students, and the presentation of the RISE Innovation Award winner.

The RISE Innovation Award was presented to Surfaceskins, from Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute for its innovative antibacterial door push pads and pull handles, engineered to kill germs and bacteria in between one user and the next, thus helping prevent the spread of healthcare associated infections.

The 10th edition of RISE conference will again be held in September 2020 in Raleigh, NC at North Carolina University and co-organised by INDA, The Nonwovens Institute, and NC State University.