Posted February 16, 2017

 

By Seshadri Ramkumar

 

LUBBOCK, Texas – New developments in nonwovens technology will be featured at a forthcoming international event.

 

Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry, popularly known as TAPPI, is organizing the Innovative Nonwovens Conference (NET Inc), scheduled for April 23-26 in Minneapolis.

 

TAPPI is a 100-year-old professional association and provides a platform for nonwoven industry professionals to interact with peers and exchange technical information.

 

“Ror the past 35 years, TAPPI, Nonwovens Division (TAPPI-NET) has been the most important source of networking I have had in the industry,” said Pete Wallace, an industry veteran who has been with TAPPI for more than 35 years. “TAPPI has been essential to my career and in enabling me to do the best job possible for the companies I have worked for.”

 

The conference provides a good mix of market information and technology. The event will kick start with two keynotes. Andrew Willis, technology director at filter media manufacturer Hollingsworth & Vose, will talk about “New Trends in Filtration,” and David Allan, editor for Nonwovens at RISI Inc., will provide a market report on nonwovens field.

 

The nonwovens conference is co-located with PaperCon, the premier pulp and paper conference of TAPPI. This gives opportunity for nonwoven professionals to learn about allied fields.

 

The conference will offer two workshops aimed at educating workforce in the nonwovens field and will feature, “Technical Textiles: 101,” and “Nonwovens Testing.” An added benefit to participants will be offered by PaperCon such as “Fiber Preparation for Tissue” offered by PaperCon.

 

In talking about the conference and the division that pulled the event together, Maureen Nunn of Pennsylvania Chemical Consultants, said, “TAPPI NET Division is the place where industry and universities come together to develop the next nonwoven industry innovations.”

 

Technical sessions will focus on many emerging topics such as cellulose nanofibers for nonwoven use, polyimide nanofibers for Li-ion battery applications, hemp fibers for wipes and nonwoven cotton substrate for separating oil from oil-water mixture, etc. Given the growth in smart textiles, a talk will focus on fiber device for energy harvesting.

 

More information about the nonwovens conference, click here.

 

Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D, FTA (honorary), is a professor at the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech.