INDA’s Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics (RISE) conference that took place from 25-28 January in New Orleans, LA, has attracted more than 100 technical professionals to network and learn from industry experts, as well as scientists and R&D specialists on leading-edge topics with the potential to change the future of nonwovens and engineered fabrics.

“RISE is unlike any other event in our industry with its focus on what’s next,” said INDA President Dave Rousse. “In that way it is an eye-opener and gets people to think about applications and possibilities for the future they perhaps never imagined had they not attended.” 

The most engaging topics included such concepts as rebuilding fibres and fabrics using revolutionary self-healing bio-formation structures; making lighter weight, economic and sustainable nonwovens from eucalyptus and milkweed materials; and recycling carbon fibres in the auto industry, among others.

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Jim Robinson, Technical Services Manager of BASF Hygiene Products said he came to RISE expecting a more traditional conference with a list of people he wanted to meet and valuable sessions to attend.

“What I didn’t expect was the fact that, over the two-and-a-half days of the conference, I would find solutions that I could apply to at least four current projects, each with different technical and market needs, and that the unplanned contacts would turn out to be so valuable to making progress on these projects in a timely fashion,” Robinson said.

Tony Wu, Senior Scientist at Owens Corning Science & Technology Center praised RISE as “a good platform for nonwoven technical exchange and learning on industrial trends.”

RISE Durable Product Award

The prestigious RISE Durable Product Award was presented to Suominen for Fibrella Lite, a nonwoven product for absorbent hygiene products. RISE attendees selected Fibrella Lite over finalists Groz-Beckert’s Gebecon Needle and ITW Dynatec’s Ultra SCS.

“Suominen is honoured to receive the prestigious RISE Award for Fibrella Lite, a lightweight nonwoven spunlaced product which offers softness, strength and high elongation made with 100% thermoplastic fibres,” said Lynda A. Kelly, Senior Vice President, Care Business. “We thank INDA, the RISE committee and attendees of RISE for this recognition.”

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