Posted June 3, 2014

 

By Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three big challenges were highlighted by Dr. Bryan Haynes, director, Global Enterprise Research and Engineering, Global Nonwovens, Kimberly-Clark for effective utilization of nonwovens in the medical and consumer product sectors.

 

In delivering his keynote talk at the recent NET Innovation in Nonwovens Conference (NETInc) of TAPPI here, Haynes emphasized the importance of market differentiation, raw material cost and scalability. These major issues have to be taken into consideration by the nonwovens medical and consumer products industry.

 

Haynes said by differentiation in product design, developing composites for new functions and creating novel materials, new opportunities will evolve for the nonwoven industry. 

 

Investment in new process technology that could develop new nonwoven products should be the way forward, he said. Although incremental development is good, emphasis should be placed on new and disruptive technologies, said Haynes. Sustainability and recycling should also be taken into consideration.

 

Finally, Haynes commented on the importance of taking laboratory products to commercial reality. Partnering to develop disruptive technologies should be an important mantra for the nonwovens industry, he said.

 

The keynote session was chaired by Uday Raval, chairman of the NET Division of TAPPI.

 

Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar is professor of Countermeasures to Chemical and Biological Threats, Nonwovens & Advanced Materials at Texas Tech University.