RISE2015 Durable Product Award Winner
New Nonwoven Material Made Entirely from Plant-based Materials Wins 2015 INDA RISE® Durable Product Award
Cary, NC – March 3, 2015 – INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has awarded the 2015 RISE® Durable Product Award to Fitesa Simpsonville, Inc. for a new nonwoven material made entirely from plant-based materials for the hygiene and personal care markets.
Fitesa 100 Percent Biobased Spunbond was selected for the prestigious award from three other finalists based on votes from attendees and other INDA members at INDA’s Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics Conference (RISE®) & N3M Conference Feb. 9-12 in Miami, Florida.
The RISE® Durable Product Award is presented to a durable nonwoven product chosen for their innovative use of nonwoven fabric and/or technology that is commercially sold and used in the consumer or industrial marketplace.
The fabric’s sheath/core bicomponent configuration contains two biobased polymers and features extreme softness and robust strength. This spunbond material offers a sustainable alternative to customers in such diverse applications as agriculture and landscaping, industrial wipes, as well as disposable soft goods.
“We are pleased to be recognized by INDA for our collaboration with Braskem and NatureWorks to develop a product that highlights and supports Fitesa’s commitment to performance and sustainability by replacing traditional petrochemical based materials with renewable products made from plants,” said Ray Dunleavy, Fitesa Marketing, Strategy, and Business Development Director.
The production of both the Braskem’s I’m green™100 percent biobased polyethylene and NatureWorks naturally advanced 100 percent biobased Ingeo polylactide used to make the new fabric provide significant carbon footprint reductions by removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
The companies were motivated to launch the product by increased consumer interest in green and sustainable product options, growing demand for products produced with renewable resources, sustainability initiatives by large consumer product companies and pricing volatility of petrochemical-based polymers.
The other finalists for the 2015 RISE® Durable Product Award were: Conversion Technologies International’s CT melt blown filter cartridges, Louis P. Batson Company’s elliptical needle loom Ellittica, and Polymer Group, Inc.’s highly breathable AAMI 4 Laminate.
About INDA
INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, serves hundreds of member companies in the nonwovens/engineered fabrics industry in global commerce. Since 1968, INDA events have helped members connect, learn, innovate and develop their businesses. INDA educational courses, market data, test methods, consultancy and issue advocacy help members succeed by providing them the information they need to better plan and execute their business strategies. For more information, visit www.inda.org, or download the INDA mobile app for immediate updates.
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Photo Caption: (l-r) Dave Rousse, INDA President presents the RISE® Durable Product Award to Steve Chester, Technical Service & Development Manager, Fitesa Simpsonville, Inc. for advancing nonwovens technology in a new nonwoven material made entirely from plant-based materials.
