Industry, academic, and government experts shared their insights and knowledge on several pivotal subjects at the at the RISE (Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics) Conference, on September 26-27, 2023, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The subjects included the future trajectory of nonwoven manufacturing, the real-world implementations and progress in filter media, polymers, and sustainability. Participants also delved into innovative strategies coupled with circular solutions, the advancements in sustainable nonwoven applications, and an analysis of current market statistics and data trends.

Business leaders, product developers, and technology scouts convened at the conference for two days of valuable insights in material science, process, and sustainability innovations. RISE is co-organised by the Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) and The Nonwovens Institute of North Carolina State University.

A highlight of RISE was a poster presentation of fundamental nonwovens research by The Nonwovens Institute’s graduate students. As an added value, The Nonwovens Institute offered RISE participants a tour of its world-class facilities located on the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University, featuring the most extensive set of lab- and pilot-scale equipment found anywhere including all the nonwovens platform and testing technologies, INDA said in a press release.

TiHive won the 2023 RISE Innovation Award for their SAPMonit technology. TiHive’s innovation, SAPMonit, a technology breakthrough, inspects millions of diapers weekly. SAPMonit delivers lightning-speed inline inspection of superabsorbents’ weight and distribution, optimises resources, detects flaws, and accelerates R&D. SAPMonit utilises advanced see-through cameras, high-speed vision algorithms, and secure cloud integration, revolutionising industry norms. SAPMonit has potential for sustainability, cost reduction, and enhanced customer satisfaction as it avoids hundreds of tons of plastic waste per year per machine.

The RISE Innovation Award finalists included Curt G Joa, Inc for their ESC-8—The JOA Electronic Size Change, Fiberpartner Aps for their BicoBio Fibre, and Reifenhauser Reicofil GmbH for their Reifenhauser Reicofil RF5 XHL. Together, these finalists’ innovations have the potential to reduce plastic waste by millions of kgs.

DiaperRecycle won the 2022 RISE Innovation Award for its innovative technology to recycle used diapers into absorbent and flushable cat litter. By diverting used diapers from households and institutions, and separating the plastic and fibre, DiaperRecycle strives to decrease the climate-changing emissions of diapers from landfills.

Ed Thomas, president, Nonwoven Technology Associates, received the 2023 INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award for his decades of nonwoven contributions to the growth and success of the nonwoven industry.

RISE 2024 will be held October 1-2, 2024, at the James B Hunt Jr Library at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.