The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) is the world’s first accredited academic program for the interdisciplinary study of engineered fabrics through an innovative partnership of industry, government, and academe. NWI engages experts from industry and higher education in building next-generation nonwoven applications while also providing training and guidance to the field’s future leaders. NWI plays a key role in the development and transformation of the latest innovations into marketable fiber-based systems through access to state-of-the-art pilot and testing facilities.

The tour is limited to the first 60 people who register (to ensure safety) and will focus on these facilities within NWI’s Labs:  large- and small-scale units for Spunbond, Bonding (including hydroentanglement, thermal calendar, and through air), Meltblown, Carding (crosslapping, Needlepunch, and heated oven), Filament Spinning, Coating and Lamination, Filtration Testing, and Analytical.

Requirement: Closed toed shoes are required.

Tour the North Carolina State University Wilson College of Textiles lab facilities, including the Weaving Lab, Knitting Lab, Short-Staple Spinning Lab, Physical Testing Lab, and Dyeing and Finishing Lab, which are managed by Zeis Textiles Extension for Economic Development. These fully functioning labs are used for both educational purposes and contracted projects with industry partners for product testing and production.  In addition to the Zeis Textiles Extension, tour the Textile Protection and Comfort Center and ASSIST Center's labs for innovation and testing. These facilities are more closely related to heat and flame protection, chemical resistance, and comfort performance research, and wearable and implantable systems, respectively.

Requirement. Closed toed shoes are required.