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The Nonwovens Institute
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Enabling Materials of the Future

Based at the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University, The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) is a consortium of stakeholders spanning the breadth of the nonwovens value chain. Operating on an “Open Innovation” platform and covering the full Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range, NWI engages industry, government and academia to enable next-generation nonwoven solutions to mission-critical challenges.

300+ Alumni

Facilitating collaboration around fundamental research – TRL 1-3.

Knowledge Creation

100+ Companies Trained Annually

In-person, online and custom training opportunities – TRL 4-9.

Workforce Development

100+ Industry Partners Annually

World-class pilot and testing labs to support trials – TRL 3-6.

Fabrication and Testing

80+ Patents; Many Commercialized

Bringing new product ideas from concept to reality – TRL 4-7.

Product Development

7 Products Incubated

Scaling from the lab to commecialization – TRL 6-9.

Product Incubation

Upcoming TRAINING COURSES

All Events
Apr 30

Tuesday

Intermediate Nonwovens Short Course – April 2024
Jun 04

Tuesday

Nonwoven Fabric Property Development and Characterization Short Course
Jul 23

Tuesday

Fiber and Filament Extrusion Fundamentals Short Course

Latest Headlines

All News
NWI Student Researchers Who Will Graduate In May 2024

April 16, 2024

Congratulations to 3 NWI Ph.D. Student Researchers Who Will Graduate In May

NWI is proud to recognize Vinod Balakrishnan, Sophie Nunno-Gorbachev, and Pallav Jani for completing their Ph.D. studies.
The Nonwovens Institute's Spring 2024 IAB Preview

April 10, 2024

[Preview] NWI’s Spring 2024 Industrial Advisory Board Meeting

NWI’s Spring 2024 Industrial Advisory Board Meeting will be held May 14-16 on the Centennial Campus of NC State University.
Angelo Corino, The Nonwovens Institute, NC State University

April 02, 2024

[NWI Behind the Scenes] Angelo Corino, Lab Manager

Angelo Corino is a Research Engineer/Lab Manager responsible for the Meltblown and Spunbond/Hydroentangling Labs at The Nonwovens Institute (NWI).

Student Spotlight: Lucille Verster Rivera, Degradation Modalities of Synthetics and Bio-Based Fiber Nonwoven

Lucille is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Department of Forest Biomaterials at NC State University. Lucille’s NWI research project aims to develop standardized methods and breakdown criteria to quantify, visualize and characterize the degradation and photostability of synthetic and bio-based polymer fibers and nonwovens.

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Lucille Verster, The Nonwovens Institute

NWI Labs

NWI Analytical and Physical Nonwovens Testing Lab

Analytical and Physical Testing

NWI’s Analytical and Physical Testing Lab is rooted in more than 20 years of work with rigorous test methods for fibers and fabrics in nonwoven applications. This deep expertise, combined with our state-of-the-art instruments, ensures precise and reliable results.

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NWI Fiber and Polymer Science Lab

Fiber and Polymer Science

Experts working in NWI’s Fiber and Polymer Science Lab specialize in the characterization of various polymers, biopolymers and additives for melt spinning pilot research. This lab is ideal for engaging in proof-of-concept with a minimum of input material required.

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NWI Filtration Testing Lab

Filtration Testing

NWI has expanded its filtration testing capabilities to include services for facemasks and respirators, along with filter media for automotive, HEPA and HVAC applications, among others. Importantly, NWI’s Filtration Testing Lab is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited.

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NWI Meltblown Nonwovens Lab

Meltblown

NWI’s Meltblown Pilot Lab features a 1.2-meter wide line with recently updated software and control systems. Along with NWI’s many years of experience in developing meltblown nonwoven applications, this lab provides the ability to test a wide range of polymers.

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NWI Spunbond and Hydroentangling Nonwovens Lab

Spunbond and Hydroentangling

NWI’s decades of experience in spunmelt nonwovens, in tandem with its Spunmelt and Hydroentangling Pilot Lab, provide you the opportunity to customize the web path to your specific application requirements, utilizing a variety of fiber and polymer options.

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NWI Staple Carded Nonwovens Lab

Staple Fiber

NWI’s Staple Nonwovens Pilot Lab is equipped with Trützschler feeding equipment and extensive opening systems for blending of various types of fibers and composite formations. This lab is supported by NWI’s deep expertise in carded nonwovens.

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“The Institute will continuously strive to be a global leader in research, education and outreach for the nonwovens and affiliated industries.” 

NWI Industrial Advisory Board

Member Profile:
Celanese Corporation

Celanese Corporation, a global specialty materials and chemical company, and Under Armour, Inc., a global leader in athletic apparel and footwear, have been engaged in a collaboration at NWI on the Centennial Campus of NC State University since 2022, resulting in a new fiber called NEOLAST™. Celanese, as a Full Member of NWI, benefitted in this engagement by receiving priority access to NWI’s Fiber Spinning Lab, as well as the expertise of NWI’s in-housed dedicated staff, who brought many years of experience in polymer and fiber science to the project.

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