News and Notes - The Nonwovens Institute https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/category/news/ Enabling Materials of the Future Mon, 12 Feb 2024 21:50:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Joshua Weed Elected Vice Chairperson of NWI’s IAB Executive Committee https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/joshua-weed-elected-as-vice-chairperson-of-iab-executive-committee/ Mon, 12 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/?p=12375 During The Nonwovens Institute’s (NWI’s) Fall 2023 Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) Meeting, Mr. Joshua Weed was elected Vice Chairperson of the IAB Executive Committee.

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During The Nonwovens Institute’s (NWI’s) Fall 2023 Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) Meeting, Mr. Joshua Weed was elected Vice Chairperson of the IAB Executive Committee.

Joshua received his B.S. in Engineering from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, and his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, USA,  where he focused on compatibilizing natural, plant-based fibers with low-density polyethylene for use in fiber-reinforced composites. In 2014, he joined NatureWorks, LLC, as an Applications Engineer and after experience in several positions of increasing responsibility, is now Lead Scientist and Technology Manager located in Plymouth, Minnesota, USA. Joshua specializes in areas of polymer characterization, crystallization kinetics, and mathematical modeling.

Over the past four years, Joshua has utilized his expertise to serve as Industry Advisor for multiple Ph.D. candidates who are working through NWI’s industry-identified fundamental research program. This opportunity for students to actively engage with industry experts is one of the outstanding features of the graduate degree program available at NC State and NWI. He was elected to NWI’s Executive Committee in October 2022. Joshua has also been an active member of the Upper Midwest Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) where he served on its Board of Directors from 2016 to 2023, most recently as the Education Chair.

The strong tie between industry and academia is a hallmark of NWI. Each of the Institute’s more than 50 member organizations have representation on the IAB.  The IAB reviews proposed and existing programs and recommends alternatives or additions and provides review over Institute budgets and policies. The IAB also elects the nine-member Executive Committee, which provides higher level member oversight and policy guidance. In addition, the Executive Committee makes recommendations to Institute Leadership with regard to the composition of the Strategic Scientific Advisory Board (SSAB) and collaborates with Leadership to select SSAB members. Many of the IAB and SSAB members actively mentor NC State graduate students in NWI’s nonwovens program and act as ambassadors for the Institute across the industry.

The time and effort contributed by all of the IAB representatives and especially the Executive Committee members is symbolic of the value that their member companies place upon the relationship with NWI.  Each individual is a respected leader not only in their own organization but across the broader industry. 

Are you interested in NWI membership and member benefits?

Based at the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University, The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) is a consortium of stakeholders spanning the breadth of the nonwovens value chain. Operating on an “Open Innovation” platform and covering the full Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range, NWI engages industry, government and academia to enable next-generation nonwoven solutions to mission-critical challenges.   

NatureWorks is an advanced materials company offering a broad portfolio of renewably sourced polymers and chemicals. With performance and economics that compete with oil-based materials, naturally advanced Ingeo™ biomaterials are valued for their unique functional properties and used in applications from compostable rigid and flexible food packaging to hygiene products and 3D printing materials. NatureWorks is jointly owned by Thailand’s largest ASEAN leading integrated petrochemical and refining company, PTT Global Chemical, and Cargill, which provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world.  https://www.natureworksllc.com

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Celanese, Under Armour Advance Toward Sustainable Stretch Fabrics With New Fiber Developed in NWI Labs https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/celanese-under-armour-advance-toward-sustainable-stretch-fabrics-with-new-fiber-developed-in-nwi-labs/ Fri, 02 Feb 2024 14:13:00 +0000 https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/?p=12257 Celanese and Under Armour have engaged in a collaboration at NWI, resulting in a new elastic fiber called NEOLAST™.

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Celanese Corporation, a global specialty materials and chemical company, and Under Armour, Inc., a global leader in athletic apparel and footwear, have been engaged in a collaboration at The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) on the Centennial Campus of NC State University since 2022, resulting in a new fiber called NEOLAST™.

Utilizing NWI’s Fiber Spinning Lab, Celanese and Under Armour worked with the Institute’s fiber spinning experts over the course of two years to fine tune the production process for what they believe will be an innovative new alternative to elastane – an elastic fiber that gives apparel stretch, commonly called spandex. According to Celanese and Under Armour, this new fiber could unlock the potential for end-users to recycle performance stretch fabrics, a legacy issue that has yet to be solved in the pursuit of circular manufacturing with respect to stretch fabrics.

Fiber Spinning Lab at The Nonwovens Institute
The Fiber Spinning Lab in production at The Nonwovens Institute, NC State University.

Celanese, as a Full Member of NWI, benefitted in this engagement by receiving priority access to NWI’s Fiber Spinning Lab as well as the expertise of NWI’s in-housed dedicated staff, who brought many years of experience in polymer and fiber science to the project.

“The introduction of recyclable NEOLAST™ fiber creates exciting opportunities for performance and sustainability benefits enabling customer success across the apparel value chain,” said Rick Tobar, Development Programs Manager, Celanese.  “NWI was a critical partner in piloting the development of the fiber from its earliest stages through to a commercial product. The equipment and, more importantly, the expertise of NWI personnel were also key to bringing the fiber to reality.”

“NWI was a critical partner in piloting the development of the fiber from its earliest stages through to a commercial product. The equipment and, more importantly, the expertise of NWI personnel were also key to bringing the fiber to reality.” – Rick Tobar, Development Programs Manager, Celanese.

NWI’s pilot facilities feature world-class technology and dedicated in-house expertise to support the research and product development needs of our members and industry partners,” said Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., Executive Director, NWI. “We are honored that Celanese and Under Armour have chosen NWI to support their efforts in developing the NEOLAST™ fiber, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for this new technology.”

Polymer Raw Material prior to extrusion and spinning in the Fiber Spinning Lab at The Nonwovens Institute.
Polymer raw material prior to extrusion and spinning to make NEOLAST™ fibers.

According to Celanese and Under Armour, NEOLAST™ fibers will be produced using recyclable elastoester polymers, a critical first step for the industry to address the challenge of recycling blended fabrics containing elastane. As end users transition to a more circular economy, Celanese and Under Armour are exploring the potential of the fibers to improve the compatibility of stretch fabrics with future recycling systems and infrastructure.

“NC State’s and Under Armour’s cultures are incredibly similar. We embrace the ‘think and do’ concept, while the university recognizes perfection is the enemy of innovation,” said Kyle Blakely, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Under Armour. “None of this would have been possible without the leaders at NC State asking for our feedback, hearing our feedback and moving to action as it relates to continuity and consistency of interaction across the entire campus. Once a path was cleared for the working groups – which happened efficiently – the project took off like a rocket ship. Now we have an iron-clad foundation to build on for many years to come. This is the first of many transformative innovations as a result of this partnership.”

Spun filament passing over a godet roll in The Nonwoven Institute's Fiber Spinning Lab.
Spun NEOLAST™ filament passing over a godet roll in The Nonwoven Institute’s Fiber Spinning Lab.

“Working with a leading global brand like Under Armour to elevate the performance and sustainability benefits of their products is just the first of many great things we hope to accomplish with this innovative NEOLAST™ technology,” said Tom Kelly, Senior Vice President, Engineered Materials, Celanese. “Celanese is proud to bring its polymer expertise and technical know-how to help manufacture NEOLAST™ fibers for textiles and fabrics to meet the specific needs of our customers and other value-chain partners. We are just beginning to unlock its potential and look forward to what’s ahead as we explore other opportunities with end users.”

To read the full Cleanese/Under Armour announcement on the NEOLAST™ fiber, visit https://bit.ly/3OdZ1Lr.

As part of the Office of Research and Innovation at North Carolina State University, NWI is a membership-based fundamental research institute serving leading companies/organizations across the nonwovens value chain, from raw material to end-use. NWI research aims to enable strategic R&D efforts by member companies who are seeking to forge next-generation fiber- and polymer-based materials and products. At the end of this value-added research pipeline are revolutionary and often life-enhancing products for both industrial and consumer markets.

Are you interested in NWI membership?

Are you interested in Product Development opportunities with NWI?

For more information about Celanese, visit https://www.celanese.com/.

For more information about Under Armour, visit https://about.underarmour.com/.

For more information about NEOLAST™, visit www.neolastfibers.com.

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[2-Minute Tutorial] Spunbond Technology Primer https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/2-minute-tutorial-spunbond-technology-primer/ Wed, 17 Jan 2024 20:13:33 +0000 https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/?p=12094 The following tutorial on the spunbond production process provides a brief overview of performance and product attributes, raw material options, and end-use applications. It is based on a segment of…

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The following tutorial on the spunbond production process provides a brief overview of performance and product attributes, raw material options, and end-use applications. It is based on a segment of the upcoming Spunbond Technology Short Course, which will be presented Mar. 19-21, 2024, by The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) in partnership with INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry.

“The Spunbond Technology Short Course combines classroom learning with hands-on activities in NWI’s state-of-the-art nonwoven fabrication and testing labs,” said Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., executive director of NWI. “Upon completing the course, attendees will have a comprehensive grasp on spunbond nonwoven production processes, including raw material selection, basic science knowledge, testing, and the characterization used to create end-use products. The course will cover structure-property-process relationships and explain how to exploit machine design and raw materials to the advantage of the application.”

Featured Topics Include:

  • A primer on nonwoven markets and applications for spunbond technology
  • An in-depth understanding of polymer characterization and fiber formation
  • Discussion of bicomponent fibers and bonding technologies
  • Discussion of web uniformity and inspection
  • Discussion of product evaluation and testing
  • A pack design and cleaning demonstration
  • Discussion of process variables and hands-on activities in NWI’s world-class Spunbond and Hydroentangling Lab
  • Cost modeling for various spunbond process scenarios

A recent attendee noted:

“A huge thank you to the instructors and all of the wonderful staff. The course was incredibly helpful, and we learned so much that will aid us in our business going forward. The information on the fundamentals of extrusion and how process parameters affect output product and defect generation was excellent. I also loved being able to apply learnings in the lab.” — Staff Scientist, Medical Device Manufacturer

Are you interested in attending the Spunbond Technology Short Course?

The Spunbond Technology Short Course is part of a series of workforce development opportunities being offered by NWI and INDA this year. For the full schedule of upcoming NWI/INDA training courses, click here.

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[Virtual Tour] Spunbond and Hydroentangling Lab https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/virtual-tour-spunbond-and-hydroentangling-lab/ Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:31:22 +0000 https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/?p=12018 The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) at NC State offers state-of-the-art technology and deep expertise in spunmelt nonwovens. The following virtual tour walks you through the capability housed within the lab.

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The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) at North Carolina State University offers state-of-the-art technology and deep expertise in spunmelt nonwovens. The following virtual tour walks you through the capability housed within NWI’s Spunbond and Hydroentangling Lab.  

About Spunbond Nonwovens

Spunbond nonwoven materials are advantageous for a wide range of applications due to their varied performance attributes. The spunbond process begins with polymer, which is extruded, spun and attenuated prior to web laydown, bonding and any necessary finishing steps. Spunbond materials offer good tenacity, are compatible with multiple bonding methods, and can support homogeneous or multi-component filaments.

Typical raw materials utilized for spunbond include polypropylene and polyester. PP is used widely for disposable product types, while PET is a good fit for industrial product types where material stiffness is valued. Other material types employed for select spunbond applications include polyethylene, nylon 6, nylon 6 6, and poly-lactic acid (PLA).

Spunbond serves many end-use products, including hygiene, medical, wipes, filters and automotive materials, just to name a few. Hygiene is the largest market segment for spunbond nonwoven materials.

Spunbond is often combined with meltblown materials to produce hygiene and medical fabrics where barrier properties are needed. Wipes are another category where spunbond materials are highly utilized, either independently or as part of a composite structure. Spunbond is used as a support layer in combination with fine-fiber meltblown in filtration. And spunbond is increasingly finding its way into automobiles, from headliners and trunkliners to carpet, floor mats and seating materials.

Spunbond and Hydroentangling Pilot Lab

Anchored by a Reicofil spunbond line, the NWI Spunbond and Hydroentangling Lab provides you the opportunity to customize the web path to your specific application requirements utilizing equipment from supporting partners – including Hills bico- or mono-filament die packs, two unwinds, an Andritz thermobonding calender, two Andritz Perfojet hydroentanglement units, a kiss roll, a through-air dryer, and a high-speed A.Celli Group slitter/winder.

Following spunbond web laydown, the line offers several bonding methods via a hydroentanglement unit (one pre-entanglement injector, plus six additional injectors), a thermal calender (includes roll options for three bond patterns), a kiss roll unit, and a through-air dryer. The hydroentangling unit and thermal calender can also be used in combination.

Layers can be added either via a front-end unwind or after the web laydown via an unwind prior to bonding, supporting application variables such as, for example, combining cellulosics with spunbond in a hydroentangled structure. Finally, the web path concludes with slitting and winding.

NWI can run trials in many configurations, such as single-beam spunbond, and with a variety of fiber architectures. Fiber options include sheath-core bico, side-by-side bico, or homofilament, as well as more complex cross-sections, such as segmented pie and islands-in-the-sea. Resin options include PP, PE and PET, along with many others, including nylon, elastomers and biopolymers, such as PLA.

To engage with NWI’s spunmelt nonwovens experts and/or to book time in NWI’s Spunbond and Hydroentangling Lab, visit https://bit.ly/3YWxKBl.  

For more information on NWI’s pilot- and lab-scale nonwoven production and testing capabilities, visit https://bit.ly/48IWpx6.

To build your understanding of the spunbond nonwoven production process, consider attending the upcoming Spunbond Technology Short Course, which is presented by NWI in partnership with INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry.

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[2-Minute Tutorial] Meltblown Technology Primer https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/2-minute-tutorial-meltblown-technology-primer/ Tue, 19 Dec 2023 18:25:49 +0000 https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/?p=11846 The following tutorial on meltblown nonwovens provides a brief overview of the production process, common applications, and material structure and performance characteristics. It is based on a segment of the…

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The following tutorial on meltblown nonwovens provides a brief overview of the production process, common applications, and material structure and performance characteristics. It is based on a segment of the upcoming Meltblown Technology Short Course, which will be presented Feb. 27-29, 2024, at The Nonwovens Institute (NWI).

“The Meltblown Technology Short Course provides attendees a fundamental understanding of the process of forming meltblown webs and offers guidance on how to control structure-property-process relationships to optimize meltblown materials based on the requirements of the application,” said Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., executive director of NWI.

Presented in partnership with INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, this course combines classroom learning with hands-on activities in NWI’s state-of-the-art nonwoven fabrication and testing labs.

Featured Topics Include:

  • A primer on nonwoven markets and applications for meltblown technology
  • An in-depth understanding of polymer characterization and meltblown web formation
  • Discussion of composites and coforms
  • Discussion of web uniformity and inspection
  • Discussion of product evaluation and testing
  • Discussion of process variables and hands-on activities in NWI’s world-class Meltblown Lab
  • Cost modeling for various meltblown process scenarios

“The topics of the training and technical information were excellent. All speakers were very prepared and always available to interact with the class and answer our questions.” – Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Global Manufacturer of Filtration Solutions for Healthcare, Life Sciences, Energy, and Mobility

Are you interested in attending the Meltblown Technology Short Course?

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NWI Welcomes CovationBio as a New ‘Full Member’ https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/nwi-welcomes-covationbio-as-a-new-full-member/ Wed, 13 Dec 2023 20:09:55 +0000 https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/?p=11820 The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) is pleased to recognize Covation Biomaterials for its decision to join more than 50 industry-leading organizations as a member of the Institute. Founded in 2022, in…

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The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) is pleased to recognize Covation Biomaterials for its decision to join more than 50 industry-leading organizations as a member of the Institute.

Founded in 2022, in Newark, Delaware, USA, following the acquisition of DuPont Biomaterials by the Huafon Group based in Zhejiang, China, CovationBio has positioned itself as a leading global innovator offering a product portfolio of high-performance, sustainable renewable solutions. The company builds on its rich DuPont legacy of groundbreaking scientific innovation and continues to deliver novel solutions at scale across multiple industries, including apparel, carpeting, cosmetics, food and packaging. For more than 20 years, the mission of CovationBio has been to deliver the building blocks that will enable customers to provide high-performance biomaterial solutions to everyone.

Founded in 2022, in Newark, Delaware, USA, following the acquisition of DuPont Biomaterials by the Huafon Group based in Zhejiang, China, CovationBio has positioned itself as a leading global innovator offering a product portfolio of high-performance, sustainable renewable solutions.

According to CovationBio, “Sorona® polymer in fiber form has gained wide acceptance in the apparel and flooring industries due to its sustainability, softness, hydrolysis resistance and recoverable stretch. When combined with other polymers, Sorona provides superior bulk in many types of fabrics and end uses. We believe Sorona has great potential in the nonwovens industry, which is why we are a member of NWI.”

CovationBio has three commercial products that contain bio-based material derived from annually renewable plant resources:

  • Sorona polymer in fiber form has gained wide acceptance in the apparel and flooring industries due to its softness, hydrolysis resistance and recoverable stretch. When combined with other polymers, Sorona provides superior bulk in many types of fabrics and end uses. CovationBio is actively working to bring the benefits of Sorona to the nonwovens industry by partnering with NWI and interested nonwoven manufacturers.  Sorona polymer is 37% bio-based.
  • Susterra® propanediol is a 100% bio-based building block of organic chemistry that reduces the need for petroleum-based components. Its applications range from footwear to outdoor apparel, coatings, inks, and functional fluids that benefit from favorable viscosity and thermal stability.
  • Zemea® is a 100% bio-based and biodegradable material that helps brands reach sustainability goals without compromising quality. Available in multiple formulations, Zemea® meets exacting standards in a variety of high-volume markets, from personal care and home care, to pharmaceuticals, to enhancing flavors and foods.

For more information about CovationBio and its product offerings, visit https://covationbio.com/.

Membership in NWI brings a variety of benefits and can be scaled to meet member needs. 

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Dr. Mehmet Dasdemir Appointed as Director of Product Development at NWI https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/dr-mehmet-dasdemir-appointed-as-director-of-product-development-at-nwi/ Fri, 01 Dec 2023 19:13:36 +0000 https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/?p=11672 NWI is pleased to announce Mehmet Dasdemir, Ph.D., as the Institute's new Director of Product Development.

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The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) is pleased to announce Mehmet Dasdemir, Ph.D., has been appointed to the position of Director of Product Development for the Institute, succeeding Pierre Grondin who retired from NWI earlier this year after 30 years of service to the nonwovens industry.

In this new role, Dr. Dasdemir is leading the management of NWI’s sponsored product development projects portfolio. He is focused on working with NWI’s industry partners on the development of new nonwoven products and applications, including scale-up using NWI’s extensive pilot facilities. This is an area where NWI brings high value to the nonwovens industry – i.e., in providing an environment where early-stage product designs can benefit from the Institute’s decades of nonwovens application knowledge, along with in-house fabrication and testing capability, to enable proof-of-concept in an extremely cost-effective manner. He is also serving as an internal and external advocate for products developed at NWI.

Dr. Dasdemir has strong roots at NWI and NC State, as he received his Ph.D. in Fiber and Polymer Science from NC State University in 2011. During his doctoral studies, Dr. Dasdemir participated in NWI’s industry-identified fundamental research program, investigating polymer interfaces in biocomponent fibers and nonwovens. He then served as a Professor at Gaziantep University in Turkey, where he conducted, published, and presented research studies related to polymers, fibers, nonwovens, composites, and nanotechnology. Dr. Dasdemir has also worked as a consultant and R&D coordinator at several fiber, filament, and nonwoven production companies in Turkey. In addition, he has designed, prepared, and managed several industrial and academic research, product, and application development projects.  

Since taking on the role of Director of Product Development, Dr. Dasdemir has been engaged in several important projects, including one focused on developing polylactic acid (PLA)-based spunbond and meltblown nonwovens for medical and filtration applications.

In 2021, Dr. Dasdemir returned to the NWI family as a Visiting Research Associate Professor to study sustainable polymers and nonwoven products and, in 2022, he joined NWI as a Research Scientist where he led biodegradable nonwoven product development studies, engaged in research on biopolymers, and supported graduate students working through NWI’s fundamental nonwovens research program.

Since taking on the role of Director of Product Development, Dr. Dasdemir has been engaged in several important projects, including one focused on developing polylactic acid (PLA)-based spunbond and meltblown nonwovens for medical and filtration applications. He recently presented some promising results from this project at the 2023 RISE® – Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics – conference.  

Dr. Dasdemir reports to Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, NWI’s Executive Director, and is located at the NWI offices in The Center for Technology and Innovation on NC State’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.

In addition to its expert in-house staff, NWI is supported by a dedicated group of stakeholders from its Members to Faculty and Students to Volunteers.

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NWI Offers Appreciation to Outgoing IAB Executive Committee Members https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/nwi-offers-appreciation-to-outgoing-iab-executive-committee-members/ Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:49:00 +0000 https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/?p=11652 Thomas Broch, Detlef Frey and Andreas Scope conclude their term of service as NWI Executive Committee members.

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The Nonwovens Institute wishes to thank the three members of its Industrial Advisory Board Executive Committee who will be ending their terms this autumn for their service over the past years. Thomas Broch, Detlef Frey and Andreas Scope are stepping down after concluding their term of service to NWI, its members, faculty, staff and students.

Thomas Broch, Fibertex Personal Care

Thomas Broch has served in technical leadership roles at the Fibertex Personal Care Group in Ålborg, Denmark for more than 20 years and assumed a new role as Sustainability & Regulatory Affairs Director as of October 1, 2023. He is a graduate of Aarhus University with degrees in chemistry and history. Thomas has served NWI as an Executive Committee member since 2018 and as Vice Chairperson for the Executive Committee during the past year.

Detlef Frey, Reifenhäuser REICOFIL GmbH & Co KG

Detlef Frey is the Head of R&D for Reifenhäuser REICOFIL GmbH & Co KG in Troisdorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. He received his degree in mechanical engineering with focus on Aerospace at the German University RWTH-Aachen. For over 30 years he has worked to develop and improve the nonwoven machinery of Reifenhäuser Reicofil, starting as an R&D and field engineer and being in his current position since 2006. Beside serving the NWI as an Executive Committee member since 2017, he is also in the technical leadership of the ITA, Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH-Aachen University.

Andreas Scope, MANN+HUMMEL GmbH

Andreas Scope is the Innovation Owner for Air Filtration and Sustainability at MANN+HUMMEL GmbH in Ludwigsburg, Germany. He has more than 20 years of experience in filtration and separation and has served in technical leadership roles in MANN+HUMMEL for over 10 years. Andreas received his degree and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany.

The strong tie between Industry and Academia is a hallmark of The Nonwovens Institute (NWI).  Each of our over 50 Member organizations have representation on the Industrial Advisory Board, which reviews proposed and existing programs and recommends alternatives or additions and provides review over Institute budgets and policies.  The IAB also elects the nine-member Executive Committee, which provides higher level member oversight and policy guidance.  In addition, the Executive Committee makes recommendations to Institute Leadership with regard to the composition of the Strategic Scientific Advisory Board (SSAB) and collaborates with Leadership to select SSAB members.  Many of the IAB and SSAB members actively mentor NC State graduate students in NWI’s nonwovens program and act as ambassadors for the Institute across the industry.

At its recent Fall 2023 meeting in Raleigh, the IAB elected three new members of the Executive Committee.  These elections will be communicated separately.

The time and effort contributed by all of the IAB representatives and especially the Executive Committee members is symbolic of the value that their member companies place upon the relationship with NWI.  Each individual is a respected leader not only in their own organization but across the broader industry.  We celebrate the “Sweat Equity” that our member companies and IAB representatives, especially the members of the Executive Committee, contribute to ensure the continued success of NWI.

Are you interested in NWI membership?

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NWI Announces Outstanding Researcher Awards from Fall 2023 IAB Meeting https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/nwi-announces-student-research-awardees-from-fall-2023-industrial-advisory-board-meeting/ Tue, 28 Nov 2023 11:41:56 +0000 https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/?p=11598 Recently, the IAB recognized several student researchers for their outstanding work at the Fall 2023 IAB meeting.

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Bringing together the best of both industry and academia is a hallmark of The Nonwovens Institute (NWI).  Located in the heart of the vibrant Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NWI is an innovative global partnership between industrial practitioners in both the private and public sectors and academia, resulting in unique opportunities for graduate students across a variety of technical disciplines at the university. 

As noted by Dr. Constantine Megaridis, located at The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and one of NWI’s extended academic colleagues who led the Institute’s 2020 5-Year Review, “Students commented upon the strength of the faculty associated with NWI and the linkage between industrial members of The Institute and their research work.” Students also highlighted that “NWI offers us an opportunity to work with real world experts and technical leaders to a far greater degree than our peers.”

One of the most important functions of NWI’s Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) is the review of industry-identified graduate student research projects at its bi-annual meetings. Here, technical experts from across the industry listen to and provide feedback upon student presentations regarding their research, while also learning from the students’ work. 

NWI Deputy Director Tom Daugherty recently commented, “These presentations provide an opportunity for students and members alike to boldly explore new ideas, methods, and perspectives, and to challenge existing assumptions and paradigms.” Membership representatives agreed with this sentiment, as the Student Presentations ranked highest among survey respondents as the “most helpful/informative” aspect of the November 2023 IAB meeting. 

On November 20, 2023, recognition of three students by the IAB for their outstanding work was announced:  

Best Presentation Award:  Anicah Smith O’Brien –  “Effect of Surface Coatings on Biodegradability and Functional Properties of Model Pure and Blended Biopolymer Substrates”

Anicah received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kentucky in Lexington in 2022.  Her presentation focused on understanding of how surfactant type and blending effect biodegradability of various biopolymer substrates, as well as surfactant adsorption and the subsequent impact on wettability.

Anicah Smith O'Brien at the November 2023 NWI Industrial Advisory Board Meeting
Anicah Smith O’Brien presents during the November 2023 NWI Industrial Advisory Board meeting on research related to understanding how surface modifications and blending impact polymeric properties and biodegradability of bio-derived polymers.

A variety of applications, including personal hygiene, single-use wipes, and food products use non-biodegradeable polypropylene and polyethylene, which have been hydrophilized by surfactants. It is of increasing interest to both nonwovens companies, as well as the general public, that more sustainable materials, with the capability to be implemented into hygiene products, be identified.  While there are many possible approaches to improved sustainability, including investigation of recycled feedstocks, the current research is focused on bio-derived polymers, such as poly-lactic acid (PLA). However, such materials are hydrophobic, thus requiring hydrophilization before use as a nonwoven top sheet. Additionally, biopolymers are commonly blended to improve nonwoven processing. Understanding how surface modifications and blending impact polymeric properties and biodegradability is critical for such biopolymers to be fully implemented into the industry.  Ultimately, while this understanding is an important part of the picture, material development and selection for any given application requires additional and broader consideration of material options and of sustainability measures that go beyond the scope of the current work.

Anicah started her doctoral studies in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NC State in 2022.  She is a student of Dr. Saad Khan of the University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Dr. Morton Barlaz, of the Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Department. She was previously recognized by the IAB for outstanding work at the Spring 2023 IAB meeting.  

Best Technical Award: Anastasia Timofeeva – “Dynamic, In-Situ Characterization of Failure Modes in Fiber Spinning”

Anastasia received her Bachelor of Science in Physics from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvaniaand her Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science from Penn State University.  Her presentation focused upon the development and implementation of a high-speed polarization imaging technique, compilation of a database of fiber failure modes for various materials and processing parameters, and the development and implementation of an automated in-situ process monitoring method for identification of defects (failure modes) in fibers.

Anastasia Timofeeva at November 2023 NWI Industrial Advisory Board Meeting
Anastasia Timofeeva presents during the November 2023 NWI Industrial Advisory Board meeting on research studying in-situ characterization of failure modes in fiber spinning.

Fiber spinning is a complex process in which many material and process parameters can result in undesirable finished product defects. Polymer fibers undergo flow-induced crystallization that affects the final quality of the fibers and the nonwoven material. Modern, commercial fiber and nonwoven manufacturing is an exceedingly high-speed process where continuous monitoring of these parameters and attributes is challenging. The ability to recognize processing irregularities would reduce the downtime for production lines, as well as provide in-situ quantitative data that can be used for optimization of production process parameters. Overall, this study can help researchers develop an understanding of why defects occur and relate polymer properties to spinning conditions. In her work, Anastasia is exploring the use of high-speed polarized light imaging to measure internal stress fields and implementation of machine learning methods for automatic detection of defective regions within the fibers as they are being produced.

Anastasia is a student of Dr. Kara Peters and Dr. Mark Pankow of NC State’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. She is currently a Graduate Research Assistant at NWI while pursuing her Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering at NC State, which she anticipates receiving in December 2024.  She was previously recognized by the IAB for outstanding work at the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 meetings.  Anastasia presented her work at the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation Conference in March 2023 and at the RISE® – Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics – Conference held on NC State’s campus in Raleigh, September 2023.  RISE® is organized by INDA – the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry.  She is also a co-leader of the NWI Student Group during the 2023-24 academic year.

Best Overall Award: Pallav Jani – “Fundamental Evaluation of Interaction Between Slip Agents and Hydrophilic Spin Finishes on PP Nonwovens”

Pallav received his Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Technology from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai, India and his Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  His presentation focused on the understanding of surface modification of polypropylene (PP) substrates by slip additives and surfactant coatings, as well as the impact of their surface interactions on friction and wettability of the nonwoven system.

Pallav Jani at the November 2023 NWI Industrial Advisory Board Meeting
Pallav Jani presents during the November 2023 NWI Industrial Advisory Board meeting on research related to the evaluation of interaction between slip agents and hydrophilic spin finishes on PP nonwovens.

Nonwovens used in hygiene applications have an ever-increasing set of performance criteria and expectations by the consumers.  Fluid transfer to an absorbent core is facilitated by the addition of various surfactants while aesthetics, primarily softness, may be controlled by the addition of other materials often including slip additives.  Depending on whether slip additive-surfactant interactions at the polymer surface are synergistic or not, one can have either desirable control over the frictional and wetting behavior of the material or it can lead to performance issues.  In his work, Pallav seeks to understand the interaction between these additives and how they can impact surface friction (softness) and wettability of nonwoven fabrics.

Pallav is a student of Dr. Saad Khan and Dr. Lilian Hsiao; both of NC State’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

Pallav is currently a Graduate Research Assistant at NWI while pursuing his Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering at NC State, which he anticipates receiving in early 2024. He previously presented his work in 2022 via poster presentations at the IDEA®22 exhibition and conference held in Miami Beach, Florida, and at the RISE® Conference in Raleigh.  Both IDEA® and RISE® are organized by INDA – the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry.  Pallav was also recognized for his presentations at the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 IAB meetings.

NWI, its Leadership, Faculty, Staff and Membership congratulates each of these outstanding students and wishes them well in their future endeavors.  “The opportunity for these students to present their work before a group of true academic and industry experts uniquely prepares them for future careers,” said Dr. Raoul Farer, Chairperson of the Industrial Advisory Board’s Executive Committee and Technology Director of Freudenberg Performance Materials in Raleigh. 

“As long-time practitioners, we are also energized by interacting with the next generation,” added Dr. DeeAnn (“Dee”) Nelson, Chairperson of NWI’s Strategic Scientific Advisory Board (SSAB) and R&D and Innovation Manager at Avgol Nonwovens; an Indorama Ventures Company.

Based at the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University, The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) is a consortium of stakeholders spanning the breadth of the nonwovens value chain. Operating on an “Open Innovation” platform and covering the full Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range, NWI engages industry, government and academia to enable next-generation nonwoven solutions to mission-critical challenges. NWI supports Master’s- and Ph.D.-level students pursuing advanced studies in fiber and polymer science, chemical and bimolecular engineering, wood and paper science, textile engineering, color chemistry and other disciplines. 

North Carolina State University is a pre-eminent teaching and research enterprise that excels across disciplines and contributes more than $6.5 billion annually to North Carolina’s economy. More than 37,000 undergraduate and graduate students learn by doing — pursuing original research, starting new companies, forging connections with top employers, and serving local and global communities. NC State’s 9,000 faculty and staff are world leaders in their fields, bridging the divide between academic disciplines and training high-caliber students to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Together, they build powerful partnerships with government, industry, nonprofits and academia to remake our world for the better. 

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Fall 2023 Industrial Advisory Board Recap https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/fall-2023-industrial-advisory-board-recap/ Tue, 14 Nov 2023 15:43:41 +0000 https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/?p=11421 The Nonwovens Institute’s (NWI’s) Fall 2023 Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) meeting brought industry members together with faculty and Ph.D. students to consider the fundamental nonwovens research projects currently working through…

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The Nonwovens Institute’s (NWI’s) Fall 2023 Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) meeting brought industry members together with faculty and Ph.D. students to consider the fundamental nonwovens research projects currently working through the NWI program.

The event, which was presented Nov. 7-9 from the Centennial Campus of NC State University, kicked off with a meeting of NWI’s Executive Committee, followed by 18 research presentations over two days by Ph.D. candidates who are exploring areas of significant interest to the industry. The projects, funded by NWI member companies and industry partners, revolve around industry-identified research thrust areas, including Materials and Materials Characterization; Polymer Processing and Extrusion; Engineered Structures; Micro and Macro Modeling; and Sustainability.

The IAB is a semi-annual meeting where NWI’s member companies gather to review the graduate student research projects currently in the Institute’s portfolio. The IAB also provides a forum where students, faculty and industry researchers can interact around emerging challenges and opportunities facing the nonwovens industry.

The Industrial Advisory Board is a really unique opportunity for industry to interact with future leaders in nonwovens and gain insight on their research as they work through some of the pressing challenges of the day.

“The Industrial Advisory Board is a really unique opportunity for industry to interact with future leaders in nonwovens and gain insight on their research as they work through some of the pressing challenges of the day,” said Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., professor and executive director of The Nonwovens Institute. “This dynamic exchange cannot be found anywhere else in our industry, and as much as the students benefit from the feedback of our membership and supporting faculty, our member companies benefit from the environment the IAB creates in fostering fundamental understanding and the exchange of ideas.”

Additional activities during the IAB included:

  • Student poster sessions;
  • Several networking receptions; 
  • The issuing of awards for outstanding presentations from the May 2023 IABPallav Jani, Technical Merit; Anicah Smith O’Brien, Best Presentation; and Anastasia Timofeeva, Best Overall
  • Member presentations from Berry Global, Inc.NatureWorks and PFNonwovens.   
  • A tour of NWI’s world-class lab- and pilot-scale nonwoven production and testing facilities; 
  • A training on the hydroentangling bonding process for nonwovens led by Dr. Pourdeyhimi; and 
  • A preview of the “NWI Strategic Plan 2023-30” for stakeholder input in preparation for its publication in early 2024.

Special thanks to Raoul Farer, Ph.D., director of technology at Freudenberg Performance Materials and Executive Committee Chair, for leading the IAB meeting. And congratulations to the student researchers who participated in this event and worked so hard to prepare their presentations. Well done!

Save the date! NWI’s next IAB meeting will be May 14-16, 2024.

Fall 2023 IAB Photo Gallery

For more information about NWI member benefits, please visit https://bit.ly/3sWraz8

For more information about student opportunities with NWI, please visit https://bit.ly/46KPORY

For more information about faculty opportunities with NWI, please visit https://bit.ly/467lNuH

Based at the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University, The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) is a consortium of stakeholders spanning the breadth of the nonwovens value chain. Operating on an “Open Innovation” platform and covering the full Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range, NWI engages industry, government and academia to enable next-generation nonwoven solutions to mission-critical challenges. 

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