CARY, N.C. — October 13, 2011 — Executives from both the durable and disposables segments of the
nonwovens industry gathered last week in Raleigh, N.C. for the second annual Research, Innovation
& Science for Engineered Fabrics (RISE) Conference, sponsored by INDA, Association of the
Nonwoven Fabrics Industry.
“Once again RISE succeeded in providing forward-thinking companies with the tools they need
to compete in today’s — and tomorrow’s — business environment,” says INDA President Rory Holmes.
“One of INDA’s mandates is to provide our member companies with the information to advance
progressive thinking in the global nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry and RISE addressed
these needs for all of the attendees.”
As with all INDA events, networking among suppliers and customers was a key component of
RISE, Holmes adds. “This conference facilitates the sharing of ideas and strategies that will drive
our industry as a whole into the future. RISE is about the business as a whole moving forward
together for the benefit of all individuals and companies.”
In attendance was Chris Anderson, EcoSynthetix, who commented that “innovation, inspiration
and great networking best describe my experience at the RISE 2011 conference. This event is
helping innovative companies like mine reach many key nonwoven industry leaders in just a few
days.”
Tibor Duris with Preluna attended the RISE Conference for the first time and said, “There
were many interesting contacts with experts from different countries and factories, many
constructive discussions about concrete projects promising us new and interesting business
relationships. Our conclusion from the conference: Added value and properties to nonwoven textiles
is the name of the game!”
The audience for RISE ranged from product managers and technical sales and marketing
executives to product engineers, purchasing managers and research engineers at both consumer and
industrial products companies.
Among the highlights of the RISE Conference, which was held from October 3-6 at the Sheraton
Raleigh Hotel in Raleigh, was the presentation of the inaugural RISE Durable Product Award to Aptra
Elements, from RKW US. The RISE Durable Product Award recognizes a durable nonwoven product using
nonwoven fabric and/or technology that is commercially sold and utilized in the consumer or
industrial marketplace.
In the RISE Durable Product Award competition, five finalists made presentations and RISE
attendees voted on the recipient of the 2011 Award. The winner, Aptra Elements, from RKW US, is a
metallic, highly reflective, breathable, air barrier membrane made of waterproof, UV-stabilized
polypropylene and nonwoven. The material maintains strength and flexibility without metal surface
rub-off or oxidation and can be used for multiple uses within the building, architecture,
construction, marine, tent and upholstery industries.
The other finalists were UltraTouch Denim Insulation, from Bonded Logic; Soft Binding Sole
(SBS), from Intermedius; PIG Grippy Mat, from New Pig Corporation, and Norafin Komanda, from
Norafin (Americas), Inc.
Also at RISE, the tenth annual INDA Award for Lifetime Technical Achievement was presented to
industry veteran Mike Putnam, of PGI, who was instrumental in developing continuous filament APEX
technology at Chicopee/PGI, and the coveted INDA Lifetime Service Award was given to Morris T.
Collins, Jr., of RKW US, Inc.
Posted on October 13, 2011
Source: INDA
