INDA Webinars
Explore the key issues in the global nonwovens industry.
Get the market and business insights you need to make better decisions. INDA’s 50-minute webinars are complimentary for everyone. Stay tuned for more 2025 webinars – more information coming soon!
When You Cannot Afford to Get It Wrong
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
11:00 AM EDT
Perhaps few decisions a manufacturing company will undertake is more important than choosing a location for a new facility or deciding where to expand production. To misjudge or overlook factors such as the availability of labor, the reliability and cost of electric service, prohibitive zoning or land use requirements, legal impediments, millions of dollars in financial incentives, or other conditions not acceptable to the manufacturing process to be undertaken could be disastrous. A company cannot afford to get this decision process wrong. This webinar will review a successful site selection process managed by the presenters. This will outline all of the considerations that fed into that company’s successful site selection decision. For any company which is now considering an expansion of manufacturing capacity, this is a “must see” opportunity.
Ernest Pearson
Senior Counsel | Economic Development
Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting
Rocky Lane
Managing Partner
Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting
Dale Carroll
Partner
Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting
Tom Johnson
Partner
Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting
Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting LLC is a highly respected firm. Its partners have decades of experience as frontline economic developers, and in developing and managing manufacturing facilities in the non-woven industry sector, and industries supporting those companies. These partners have managed site selection and incentive negotiating projects which involved manufacturing facilities with capital investments from a few million dollars up to two billion dollars. The presentation will be coordinated by Ernest Pearson, Founding Partner of Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting, and input will be provided by several partners with areas of expertise relevant to any company’s site selection process.
WOW 2025: Pre-conference Webinar
Advanced Cellulosic Solution for Disinfection Wipes
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM EDT
Disinfection wipes are typically made from nonwoven synthetic fibers like polypropylene and polyester, ensuring strength, flexibility, and controlled moisture release for effective cleaning. A key factor is achieving durability while maintaining softness and absorbency. With rising environmental concerns, there’s a shift towards environmentally-responsible cellulosic alternatives to mitigate microplastic problem. However, cellulose fibers, though eco-friendly, pose technical challenges: they absorb more liquid, reducing cleaning solution release, may weaken disinfection efficacy, and have lower wet strength, compromising durability.
Lenzing has developed an advanced cellulosic solution which can effectively address these challenges. Central to this approach is a specially designed Lyocell fiber, optimized for disinfection applications. These fibers not only deliver superior wet strength and durability compared to regular viscose but are also manufactured with a special profile that enhances the wiping performance. This design facilitates a consistent and increased release of disinfection agents, overcoming the typical adhesion issues associated with cellulosic fibers.
This presentation will detail our research and development process, highlighting experimental results and scalability potential. Our work represents a significant advancement in the nonwoven industry, offering a sustainable, high-performance alternative to traditional synthetic wipes, and paving the way for environmentally responsible disinfection solutions.
Axel Russler, Ph.D.
Project Manager
Lenzing AG
Axel Russler studied wood science and technology at the University of Hamburg, where he completed his doctorate on a viscose fiber topic in cooperation with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU).
Over the past twenty years, he has held various positions in the cellulose fiber industry and related academia.
Axel Russler has been with Lenzing AG since 2016 and works mainly on fiber innovations fornonwovens and technical products.
Past Webinars
Pre-Conference Webinar
Filtration: ‘Bag’ to the Future?
Wednesday, April 16th, 11 am EDT
Fred Lybrand, President, Filter Holdings, Inc.
Overview: In filtration, greater surface area improves performance by lowering flow rates, boosting efficiency, and extending filter life—especially by promoting better dust cake formation in surface-loading applications. This principle has driven increasingly complex pleating methods, particularly in membrane cartridges for liquid filtration—one of the fastest-growing, highest-margin segments in the industry. Historically, adding pleats to increase surface area has delivered strong ROI for customers. However, that trend is now facing growing skepticism. In many applications—such as industrial dust collection, powder processing, food, beverage, and life sciences—there’s a noticeable shift toward simpler filter designs, like traditional filter bags. The “arms race” for more surface area is slowing, especially in processes where buildup can cause fouling and where long filter life is essential, such as in dairy, protein, and specialty chemical production. In environments where dust accumulation leads to spoilage or negative feedback loops, pleat-free, simplified filters are gaining ground.
Presenter bio: Mr. Lybrand is the President of Filter Holdings, Inc., based in Union, NJ – he has worked in porous materials since 2007, and previously held leadership roles at Elmarco and H&V. He has introduced award winning membrane, air, and liquid filtration products recognized by AFS and INDA; he previously served on the INDA board of directors. He has an undergraduate degree in biology from UVA, an MBA from UNC, holds the CFA designation, and has served as an author for the a National Academy of Sciences committee.
Pre-Conference Webinar
Hemp Fiber – A Domestic Supply Chain for Nonwovens
Wednesday, April 23rd, 11 am EDT
Trey Riddle, Ph.D., CFO, IND Hemp
Gregg Gnecco, Brand & Marketing Manager,
IND Hemp
Overview: Industrial hemp fiber is a sustainable and durable natural fiber appropriate for a variety of nonwovens systems and product applications. This presentation will share an overview of a functioning and growing American supply chain from farm production and raw materials processing to final product pathways. We will touch generally on material specifications and develop the basic understanding needed for inclusion of hemp fiber in nonwovens processes, including airlaid, carded, wetlaid, thermal bonding, needlepunching, chemical bonding, and spunlace systems. Whether it is the performance benefits of lightweighting auto parts, or the carbon sequestering and insulative benefits when used in building materials or as a highly absorbent, natural and durable fiber for use in wipes or hygienics and fem care, hemp fiber is the natural and sustainable fiber choice. Hemp fiber is compatible with nonwovens and available right now in the USA.
Presenters’ Bios:
Dr. Trey Riddle is an avid entrepreneur, having founded and run several businesses. He has worked as an engineer, manager and executive and has built factories as well as authored numerous peer reviewed papers. As the Chief Financial Officer of IND HEMP, Trey is responsible for overseeing the Sales, Marketing and Finance departments and is an expert in biofiber manufacturing and utilization. He holds a PhD from Montana State University in Polymer Composites and advanced materials and a Masters from Cornell University in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in automotive technology
Gregg Gnecco built his career in the outdoor and adventure sports product industries leading international branded sales and marketing strategies for technical products and new innovations in a variety of market channels, domestically and around the world. His enthusiasm for ‘doing it better’ and an understanding of product life from development to manufacturing through launch, sales, consumer use and end of life disposal shapes his ability to communicate the benefits of incorporating the sustainability and performance benefits of hemp across all steps of the supply and value chains
IDEA 2025/FiltXPO 2025 Show Services Overview
Tuesday, March 18th, 11 am EST
Cassandra Cothron
Exhibitor Education Manager, Freeman
Overview: Whether you’re a first-time exhibitor or a seasoned participant, this webinar is a practical guide on preparing for your event. Attendees will gain insights into accessing show information, vendor services, shipping and material handling, and cost-saving strategies. The session will also cover ways to streamline planning, minimize unexpected costs, and set yourself up for success.
Presenter Bio: Cassandra Cothron is an experienced Exhibitor Education Manager at Freeman, passionate about helping exhibitors navigate event logistics with confidence. With firsthand experience exhibiting at events, along with a background in customer service and training, she develops educational resources that simplify the exhibiting process and enhance exhibitor experiences.
2025: Unlock New Opportunities with Global Nonwovens Education
Thursday, January 16th, 10 am EST
Matt O’Sickey, Ph.D.
Director of Education & Technical Affairs, INDA
Marines Lagemaat
Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Director, EDANA
Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D.
Executive Director, The Nonwovens Institute (NWI)
Your Path to Industry Leadership Starts Here.
2025 is bringing new opportunities and challenges to the nonwovens industry. Stay ahead with cutting-edge education from INDA, EDANA, and The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) at NC State University. Join our upcoming webinar to explore flexible learning options—in-person, virtual, and on-demand—including:
- Elementary & Intermediate Nonwovens Training (starting this January).
- EDANA’s Online Nonwovens Course.
- Exciting new programs for 2025!
Don’t miss this opportunity to empower your team and elevate your skills.
We encourage you to share webinar invitations with your peers, colleagues, and customers.
Have topics you would like INDA to explore?
Want to be a presenter for a webinar?
Please note: All INDA Webinars will be recorded. By registering for an INDA Webinar, you consent to the recording.
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