“It is interesting to note that the Nonwovens Industry is the fastest growing area in the field of textiles,” organisers report. “As engineered materials, nonwovens are in a prime position to allow new efficiencies in so many different areas: automotive manufacturing, insulation, packaging, furniture, beds and bedding, sportswear and shoes, medical applications and wipes, geo applications and horticulture to name but few.”

The adoption of pioneering raw materials and technologies is making this possible, and the seminar will touch on all of these bases in the drive for more efficient and ultimately, sustainable products. This year’s seminar will take place on 29 June at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford.

Chris Wilkinson, Chairman of the Network will open the event with her address, followed by Dr Mark Sumner, Sustainability Lecturer, University of Leeds, who will present on the topic of The Economics of Sustainability. Also in the first part of the seminar, James Docherty, Product Development Specialist, Technical Absorbents, will discuss Washable Superabsorbent Fibre Nonwoven Technology and its High-performance Applications.

Dr Matthew Tipper, Technical Director, NIRI, will present a paper on Hemp in Nonwovens, followed by Dr George Kellie, Director, Kellie Solutions, who will discuss Nonwovens in Packaging, latest data and some progress in an exciting long-term growth segment. Then, Anthony Stevenson, Technical Services Manager, ELG Carbon Fibre, will talk about the Use of Nonwoven Textiles Made with Recycled Carbon Fibres in Automotive Applications.

After the lunch break, Eamonn Tighe, EU Fibres & Nonwovens Business Development Manager, Natureworks LLC, will discuss Performance & Sustainability – referencing the Ingeo story so far. Then, Louise Swift, Public Sector Sales Director, Interface, will talk about Radical Sustainability Story. Finally, the seminar will finish with a question session, Chairman’s closing remarks and an afternoon tea.

www.nonwovensnetwork.com