INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has announced that its annual RISE® (Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics) conference will not take place in August 2026. Instead, it will be आयोजित in conjunction with IDEA®27, scheduled for March 23–25, 2027, at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
The integration of RISE with IDEA27 is aimed at enhancing accessibility and delivering greater value to technical professionals seeking to adopt emerging technologies and innovations. The combined format will offer participants a comprehensive platform that brings together advanced technical knowledge, the latest commercial technologies, and key industry developments.
“Presenting RISE at IDEA27 allows us to deliver greater value to a broader, global audience,” said Tony Fragnito, INDA President and CEO. “By aligning with IDEA, we’re making it easier for technical professionals to access critical insights, connect with industry leaders, and engage with the innovations shaping the future of engineered fabrics.”
The restructured RISE program will focus on innovation across the entire development spectrum, including fundamental and corporate research, upstream advancements, and performance-driven applications. The technical content is designed to provide practical, actionable insights for professionals across the global nonwovens value chain.
“RISE has always served as a hub for breakthrough thinking in nonwovens and engineered fabrics,” said Matt O’Sickey, PhD, INDA Director of Education & Technical Affairs. “By expanding the format and presenting it at IDEA27, we are making cutting-edge research and innovation more accessible for a broader audience.”
The combined event will offer a valuable platform for a wide range of stakeholders, including technology scouts exploring emerging innovations, R&D leaders and engineers focused on next-generation materials and processes, and business and product professionals seeking scalable opportunities within the nonwovens sector.
Further details regarding the RISE program, including themes and speaker line-ups, are expected to be announced in the coming months.