RISE conference inspires new thinking on engineered fabrics

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, which was held on January 25-28 at Le Meridien Hotel in New Orleans.

The event 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. “RISE is unlike any other event in our industry with its focus on ‘what’s next,’” said INDA President Dave Rousse, said, “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.”

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.

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.

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.