CARY – This year’s RISE Innovation has been presented to Hempitecture for PlantPanel, its rigid continuous insulation material used in exterior above-ground applications.
The award was presented at the recent RISE (Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics) conference which took place from 1-2 October in Raleigh, NC.
Co-hosted by INDA and The Nonwovens Institute at North Carolina State University, the event delivered cutting-edge insights into sustainability, focusing on advanced recycling methods, bio-based materials, circular economy strategies, potential plastics regulations, and packaging solutions.
Attendees explored a comprehensive range of technologies aimed at recapturing the inherent value of fibres, nonwovens, and textiles. Breakthroughs in process technology and product design were showcased, emphasising how manufacturers and consumers can achieve more with fewer resources. The event also spotlighted alternative, carbon-negative raw materials as a key innovation.
Awards
With an R Value of R3.25 per inch, PlantPanel is said to add to thermal and acoustic comfort and performance. Engineered with a density to resist compression and deflection, PlantPanel is used in split-insulation wall and roof assemblies with either a rain screen cladding or roofing material, depending on the application.
With 100% biobased and recycled content, PlantPanel is a sustainable, low carbon continuous insulation solution that’s easy to install and safe to handle.
The RISE Innovation Award finalists included Ahlstrom for the Dual-Layer Filtration Media and Berry Global for their ENDURA rPP Spunbond & SMS.
TiHive won the 2023 RISE Innovation Award for its SAPMonit technology. TiHive’s innovation, SAPMonit – a technology breakthrough, inspects millions of diapers weekly. SAPMonit delivers lightning-speed inline inspection of superabsorbents’ weight and distribution, optimizes resources, detects flaws, and accelerates R&D.
SAPMonit utilizes advanced see-through cameras, high-speed vision algorithms, and secure cloud integration, revolutionizing industry norms. SAPMonit has great potential for sustainability, cost reduction, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
Lifetime Technical Achievement award
Arnold Wilkie, president and owner, Hills, Inc. has a distinguished career in advancing yarn, fibre, and nonwoven technologies since 1970.
He has been president and Owner of Hills, Inc. since 1988 where he has sustained their innovative culture. Wilkie has over 40 patents and applications covering yarns, bicomponent fibres, ultra-fine fibres, nanofibers, dissolvable filaments, meltblown nonwovens, and polymer processing innovations.
He established Hills as a leading innovator in bicomponent fibre nonwovens and in the equipment to produce these materials. During Wilkie’s time leading Hills, its pilot capabilities have become well-known and highly regarded for enabling material innovations.
“I am extremely honoured to receive this award, and to contribute to the Nonwovens industry,” he said. “Today’s nonwovens processes produce defect free fabrics at more than 5,000 SQ-Mt/Min.
“Multicomponent fibres produced from spin-packs with more than 35,000 Holes and having more than one million individually metered polymer streams have contributed to advanced commercial capabilities.
“Speaking with our neighbours in the high-tech Space Coast of Florida, I am proud to realize that the Nonwovens industry has created a comparatively advanced technology.”
Graduate Student & Corporate Posters
During the evening reception, posters from 30 graduate students representing top nonwoven, textile, and fibre programmes, along with corporate presenters, were displayed - significantly more than in previous years. Students, their faculty advisors, and industry professionals shared their latest research, engaging with attendees to discuss key findings and future goals. “Many of the posters showcase technologies that are immediately ready for market implementation,” noted one attendee.
RISE 2025
RISE 2025 will return to Raleigh, NC, on October 14-15, 2025.
