INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has been busy during the past year recognizing the "best of the best" in its awards competitions and special events.

In addition to honouring a number of successful consumer and industrial products that are making an impact in the world of nonwovens, INDA also recognized some of the most influential executives in the business with lifetime and service awards.

Starting with the coveted 2011 Visionary Award presented as part of the VISION Consumer Products Conference in January, running through the inaugural RISE Durable Awards this autumn, and concluding with the Best Booths competition at the recently concluded Filtration 2011 International Conference and Exposition, INDA has made it a priority to recognize excellence and extra effort by companies and individuals in developing, producing and marketing the products that are driving the nonwovens industry into the future.

"It is vital that the excellent work being done in our industry by both INDA member companies and non-members be recognized by their peers and celebrated by the entire industry," says Rory Holmes, President of INDA.

"INDA's mission is to promote the Value of the Nonwovens Industry Worldwide and these internationally recognized awards honour those that have gone the extra mile in advancing our industry." Kicking off the year, the Readi Mask was selected over four other finalists for the 2011 Visionary Award by the attendees at the tenth annual VISION Consumer Products Conference, which was held in January in Carlsbad, California.

Readi Mask is a patented Particle Respirator designed to eliminate the problems with mask fit that plague the respirator market. The Visionary Award is presented to a new consumer product that utilizes nonwoven fabrics in its final form.

The WOW Innovation Award was presented to Sani-Cloth AF Germicidal Disposable Wipe, a new generation disinfectant product by Professional Disposables International at the 2011 World of Wipes (WOW) International Conference in Atlanta in June.

The wipe is the first alcohol-free germicidal wipe on the market that kills at least 25 bugs in only three minutes for fast patient room turnover. The WOW Innovation Award rewards industry members who bring new and value-added processes and products to the wipes' marketplace and was created to encourage innovative processes and products anywhere along the wipes' value-chain.

Among the many highlights of the second annual Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics (RISE) Conference, held in October in Raleigh, North Carolina, was the presentation of the inaugural RISE Durable Product Award to Aptra Elements, from RKW US.

Aptra is a metallic, highly reflective, breathable, air barrier membrane that can be used for multiple uses within the building, architecture, construction, marine, tent and upholstery industries.

The RISE Durable Product Award recognizes a durable nonwoven product using nonwoven fabric and/or technology that is commercially sold and utilized in the consumer or industrial marketplace.

The tenth annual INDA Award for Lifetime Technical Achievement was presented during the RISE Conference in October to industry veteran Mike Putnam, of PGI, while the coveted Lifetime Service Award was given to Morris Collins, Jr., of RKW US. Both men were recognized by their peers in the nonwovens industry for their service and technical expertise throughout their long careers. Finally, at the Filtration 2011 International Conference and Exposition in late November in Chicago, a Best Booths competition was held to recognize and reward the most attractive and innovative displays at Filtration 2011.

Winners were announced in three categories - Large Booth (more than 200 square feet), Ahlstrom Filtration; Small Booth (less than 200 square feet), Colbond; New Booth, Universal Air Filter. For more information on any INDA events or award competitions, go to www.inda.org .