Changed in 2015 to a new winter time slot on the industry’s calendar and warm Florida location, the conference continues to draw increasing attendance since it started in 2010, organisers report.

“RISE continues to bring together technical scouts in the engineered fabrics sector with fascinating new technologies to add features and value to their fabrics.  We are delighted with its continued growth, even with the change in the calendar.  And this year we added the N3M component for added value,” commented Dave Rousse, INDA President.

Industrial and academic experts

“The 2015 INDA RISE Conference brought nonwoven industry leaders together over three days for a nicely balanced programme with talks from both industrial and academic experts,” said Kaan Gunes, PhD, Market Development Manager, Corporate Innovation-Polymers Technology, Eastman Chemical Company. “The multiple opportunities to engage socially with these experts was an added perk.”

First-time RISE attendee Karen Mertins, R&D Chemist at ITW Pro Brands, said she appreciated the open, welcoming atmosphere. “Not every industry is so congenial,” she said.  “The difference is immediately apparent and quite refreshing.”

Highlights

The harbour cruise to kick off the event on 9 February aboard the South Beach Lady was particularly well received for its networking value. Other highlights for attendees to make connections were a speed networking luncheon and a dinner with industry thought leaders.

In her presentation on Soft Active Materials for Soft and Wearable Robotics, Rebecca Kramer, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, told attending top researchers, scientists, academia and thought leaders from around the world she is looking for partners to work with on new products.

Speaker presentations

Nonwoven Materials with Extraordinary Functions: from Tough Hydrogels to Graphene Supercapacitors was presented by Xuanhe Zhao, PhD, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and d’Arbeloff Career Development Chair, MIT.

Retrofitting: Breathable New Life into Old Machines was discussed by Timothy Robson, Business Development Manager, Hills, Inc. The Future of Spunlaid and Spunmelt Fabrics Based on Reicofil Technology was presented by Hans Georg Geus, PhD, Technical Director, Reifenhauser REICOFIL.

Jim Robinson, Technical Services Manager, BASF Hygiene Products, talked about The Use of Renewable Feedstock in Superabsorbent Polymer Manufacturing.  Another presentation on the topic Golden Isles CO Fluff Pulp: Cellulose with a New Purpose featured Arthur J. Nonni, PhD, Senior Director Process and Product Technology, GP Cellulose, LLC, Georgia-Pacific.

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