Technology scouts attending INDA’s Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics RISE® left inspired by the valuable connections, solutions and new ideas they discovered at the recently concluded conference. The January 25-28 event in New Orleans drew 100-plus technical professionals to network and learn from industry experts, scientists and R&D specialists on leading-edge topics with the potential to change the future of nonwovens and engineered fabrics. Topics that got attendees thinking differently included such concepts as rebuilding fibers and fabrics using revolutionary self-healing bio-formation structures; making lighter weight, economic and sustainable nonwovens from eucalyptus and milkweed materials; and recycling carbon fibers in the auto industry, among others.
INDA President Dave Rousse said, “RISE is unlike any other event in our industry with its focus on what’s next. 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.”
RISE Durable Product Award Presented
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 honored to receive the prestigious RISE Award for Fibrella™ Lite, a lightweight nonwoven spunlaced product which offers softness, strength and high elongation made with 100 percent thermoplastic fibers,” said Lynda A. Kelly, Senior Vice President, Care Business. “We thank INDA, the RISE committee and attendees of RISE for this recognition.”
