RISE 2018 explored forward-looking technologies, concepts, and ideas. © INDA

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has announced a call for presentations for the ninth annual RISE (Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics) Conference, which will be held from 24-25 September 2019, at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. RISE 2019 is a two-day conference presenting insightful research and science that propels product development.

RISE 2018 explored forward-looking technologies, concepts, and ideas that offered innovative solutions for current and future industry needs. The programme content included bio-innovations in nonwovens, market dynamics and trends, e-textiles and standards, medical nonwoven developments, web formation and technologies, material science developments and microfibers in the marine environment.

Now, industry professionals are encouraged to submit their innovative, technical abstracts by 18 March for RISE 2019. It is an opportunity to share innovative work with senior-level nonwoven/engineered materials professionals looking for new technologies, processes, and materials. Topics currently under consideration are:

• Raw materials (developments in polymer technology, sustainable materials development, or novel uses of existing renewables, fibre development or utilisation, nano- and micro-fibre innovations, peripheral material technologies, including elastomeric materials, films, adhesives, among other technologies)
• Market dynamics
• Equipment and processing (new processing technologies, novel processing techniques or combinations thereof, new or novel converting processes, process control and optimisation)
• Product related technologies (new or novel solutions for existing technical problems, use of composite materials as solutions, technologies specifically aimed at flammability, acoustic and thermal properties, moisture management, new testing methodologies or equipment, global trends in standards regulations)
• Applications (medical and hygiene, filtration, geofabrics and building construction, automotive, smart materials)

Industry professionals are encouraged to submit their innovative, technical abstracts. © INDA

INDA is also seeking nominations for innovative nonwoven products and technologies for its prestigious RISE Innovation Award. INDA will consider various categories such as raw materials, roll goods, converting, packaging, active ingredients, binders, additives and end products for nominations. Products should exhibit one of more of the following characteristics: creativity, novelty of approach, uniqueness and technical sophistication. The submission deadline is 15 July.

Three finalists will be chosen to present their innovations to technology scouts, scientists, researchers, and next level industry professionals on 24 September.

Last year, the 2018 RISE Innovation Award was presented to DiviDiaper for its innovative design helping to prevent and reduce both infant and incontinence-associated dermatitis in adults, urinary tract infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections and other infections and pressure sores.

www.inda.org