Joshua Weed Elected Vice Chairperson of NWI’s IAB Executive Committee

During The Nonwovens Institute’s (NWI’s) Fall 2023 Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) Meeting, Mr. Joshua Weed was elected Vice Chairperson of the IAB Executive Committee.

Joshua received his B.S. in Engineering from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, and his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, USA,  where he focused on compatibilizing natural, plant-based fibers with low-density polyethylene for use in fiber-reinforced composites. In 2014, he joined https://thenonwovensinstitute.com/nwi-behind-the-scenes-eric-lawrence-lab-manager/NatureWorks, LLC, as an Applications Engineer and after experience in several positions of increasing responsibility, is now Lead Scientist and Technology Manager located in Plymouth, Minnesota, USA. Joshua specializes in areas of polymer characterization, crystallization kinetics, and mathematical modeling.

Over the past four years, Joshua has utilized his expertise to serve as Industry Advisor for multiple Ph.D. candidates who are working through NWI’s industry-identified fundamental research program. This opportunity for students to actively engage with industry experts is one of the outstanding features of the graduate degree program available at NC State and NWI. He was elected to NWI’s Executive Committee in October 2022. Joshua has also been an active member of the Upper Midwest Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) where he served on its Board of Directors from 2016 to 2023, most recently as the Education Chair.

The strong tie between industry and academia is a hallmark of NWI. Each of the Institute’s more than 50 member organizations have representation on the IAB.  The IAB reviews proposed and existing programs and recommends alternatives or additions and provides review over Institute budgets and policies. The IAB also elects the nine-member Executive Committee, which provides higher level member oversight and policy guidance. In addition, the Executive Committee makes recommendations to Institute Leadership with regard to the composition of the Strategic Scientific Advisory Board (SSAB) and collaborates with Leadership to select SSAB members. Many of the IAB and SSAB members actively mentor NC State graduate students in NWI’s nonwovens program and act as ambassadors for the Institute across the industry.

The time and effort contributed by all of the IAB representatives and especially the Executive Committee members is symbolic of the value that their member companies place upon the relationship with NWI.  Each individual is a respected leader not only in their own organization but across the broader industry. 

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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.   

NatureWorks is an advanced materials company offering a broad portfolio of renewably sourced polymers and chemicals. With performance and economics that compete with oil-based materials, naturally advanced Ingeo™ biomaterials are valued for their unique functional properties and used in applications from compostable rigid and flexible food packaging to hygiene products and 3D printing materials. NatureWorks is jointly owned by Thailand’s largest ASEAN leading integrated petrochemical and refining company, PTT Global Chemical, and Cargill, which provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world.  https://www.natureworksllc.com