For Industry
The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) houses extensive state-of-the-art facilities from fiber and fabric formation, coating and lamination to a full range of analytical and physical testing. These capabilities are available for running trials, product development and commercialization, as well as for training purposes. While we certainly encourage companies to become members of the NWI Consortium, membership is not required to utilize our facilities and services.
How does NWI support the nonwovens industry?
Why Join NWI?
NWI members enjoy a number of benefits, including:
- Research Cost Avoidance and Research Amplification
- Access to core research programs
- Access to students and faculty
- Voting rights to determine NWI’s research agenda
- Members get access to more than 50 research projects
- Access to NWI’s world-class subject matter expertise in nonwovens
- Technology Transfer
- Option to any IP developed through core research programs
- Access to online research archives
- Training programs at a discount
- Free online training materials
- Priority access and discounted rates to use NWI’s world-class fabrication and testing facilities
- Service/Economic Development
- Product development and analytical services at a discount
- Networking
- Access to NWI’s semi-annual Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) meetings
- New Members Showcase at semi-annual IAB meetings
- Marketing exposure on NWI website and social media
- Networking with faculty, students and staff
The Industrial Advisory Board
NWI member companies are represented on the NWI Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) and vote on the selection of new fundamental research projects annually. The IAB is currently supported by a 10-member board of directors who serve on the Executive Committee of the IAB. The Executive Committee meets regularly with the NWI leadership team and provides guidance on policy decisions, strategic planning, etc.
NWI also has a Strategic Scientific Advisory Board (SSAB), elected by the IAB, which provides guidance to the NWI leadership team and the IAB with respect to the research portfolio and priorities in terms of research direction and research infrastructure. The SSAB Chair also sits on the IAB Executive Committee.
Research programs are developed jointly by NWI’s faculty, staff and the IAB. Representatives of NWI member companies have a shared voice in IAB proceedings.
The IAB is a forum for a candid discussion of the economic and scientific significance of NWI’s current and prospective research initiatives. The IAB also provides a venue where student, faculty and industry researchers can remain apprised of emerging challenges and opportunities facing the nonwovens industry.
NWI Membership Tiers
- Full Member I:
Large companies – sales over $25 million
Access to semi-annual Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) meetings
Selection of one core research project every three years (one project running at a time)
60 points in research project voting
Short course discount
Facility use discount
Three-year commitment in this class required
Access to research archives and online education resources
Intellectual property rights as per NWI Bylaws - Full Member II:
Large companies – sales over $25 million
Access to semi-annual Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) meetings
30 points in research project voting
Short course discount
Facility use discount
Access to research archives and online education resources
Intellectual property rights as per Bylaws - Affiliate Member:
Sales < $25 million per year
Access to semi-annual Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) meetings
12 points in research project voting
Short course discount
Facility use discount
Access to research archives and online education resources
Intellectual property rights as per NWI Bylaws
No proration of membership dues in year one - Startup Member:
Executive Committee approval required
Application must be made within 3 years of incorporation
Membership limited to 2 years in this class
Access to semi-annual Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) meetings
6 points in research project voting
Short course discount
No proration of membership dues in year one - Social Member:
Executive Committee approval required
Total number of Social Members of NWI at any given time is limited to three companies.
Proration of dues may be allowed based on the number of IAB events remaining in the calendar year.
Must sign a confidentiality agreement
Unless an exception is granted, the limit is two company participants at each IAB
Participants can only attend IAB in-person poster sessions, IAB receptions and IAB NWI tour sessions
Short course discount
No intellectual property rights
No internet access to archives or online education resources
No Executive Committee participation
No facilities use discounts
For more information about NWI membership, please contact us at nonwovens@ncsu.edu.