Dr. Rajeev Chhabra Appointed as Emeritus Member of NWI’s Strategic Scientific Advisory Board

The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) is proud to announce the appointment of Rajeev Chhabra, Ph.D. as the Emeritus Member of the Institute’s Strategic Scientific Advisory Board (SSAB) in recognition of his extensive contributions to industry and to NWI.   

Dr. Chhabra received his B. S. in Textile Chemistry and Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi in 1992 and his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, USA in 1997.  Following the receipt of his doctorate degree, Rajeev joined Procter & Gamble as a Process Development Engineer in the Research & Development function of the company focused upon developing new and improved manufacturing processes for the conversion of nonwovens and other components into hygiene and other disposable articles.  He would take on several positions of increasing responsibility within the hygiene space while developing interest and expertise in predictive modeling and data science.  In 2020 he was named Director and Principal Data Scientist for Procter & Gamble’s Next Generation Services organization and in 2024 he assumed his current position as Technical Advisor to the company’s Chief Information Officer and AI Director for P&G’s Global Business Services. 

Dr. Chhabra’s initial involvement with NWI began in 1998 as a representative of Procter & Gamble and an Industrial Advisor to what was then known as the Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center (NCRC).  He would serve as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at NWI and The Wilson College of Textiles from 2005-07 and return as an Adjunct Full Professor 2021-24.  Rajeev joined NWI’s Strategic Scientific Advisory Board in 2008. He has served as an advisor to principal investigators and graduate students conducting state-of-the-art research in nonwovens, polymers, and modeling at NWI.   During all of his engagements, Dr. Chhabra has provided strategic leadership in defining trends and growth requirements of nonwoven industry and has fostered research in critical areas for continued innovation in the industry.  

Rajeev and his six fellow advisors create an essential linkage between academia and industry...

The Strategic Scientific Advisory Board manages NWI’s project portfolio to reflect the long-term research interests of the Institute and its member companies.  The board strives to create a balanced research portfolio and to develop a depth of technical knowledge.  Bryan Haynes, Ph.D.; Chairperson of the SSAB said, “Rajeev and his six fellow advisors – along with their respective commercial organizations – volunteer their time and expertise to help create an essential linkage between academia and industry in the Institute’s research focus.”

Rajeev brings deep industry insight and strategic vision to the board…

Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Executive Director of NWI, noted, “The Strategic Scientific Advisory Board (SSAB) plays a crucial role in guiding the direction and priorities of NWI’s project portfolio, ensuring that it aligns with the long-term research goals of both the Institute and its member companies. This board is tasked with carefully managing and curating a diverse range of research initiatives that not only reflect emerging scientific and technological trends but also serve the evolving needs of the nonwovens industry. By striving for a well-balanced portfolio, the SSAB promotes innovation across multiple fronts while fostering a strong foundation of technical expertise within the Institute.

Rajeev Chhabra, with his extensive background in materials science and product development, brings deep industry insight and strategic vision to the board. His leadership and hands-on approach have significantly contributed to aligning NWI’s research agenda with real-world industrial challenges and opportunities.”

I continue my innovation journey
in the real world as well as the digital universe…

Dr. Chhabra’s years spent developing a first-principles-based, hands-on understanding of how manufacturing and business processes work have permitted him to create “digital twins” using methods of computational mechanics, thermodynamics, and state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning techniques.  “I plan to continue my innovation journey in the real world as well as the digital universe.” said Dr. Chhabra. 

Based at the Center for Technology and Innovation on 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.  https://thenonwovensinstitute.com 

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