Raoul Farer Ph.D.
Executive Deputy Director, The Nonwovens Institute, Professor, Wilson College of Textiles
1010 Main Campus Drive, Center for Technology and Innovation
Bio
Dr. Raoul Farer serves as the Executive Deputy Director of The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) and a Professor in the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State University. With over 24 years of experience in the nonwovens industry, Dr. Farer has an extensive background in textile technologies, research and development, and innovation leadership.
Prior to joining NWI, Dr. Farer held leadership positions at Freudenberg Performance Materials, where he worked across multiple countries, including Germany, Spain, and the United States. His expertise spans various nonwoven technologies, including wet-laid, dry-laid, meltblown, and spunbond processes, as well as bonding techniques such as thermal, chemical, hydroentanglement, and needle-punching. He played a critical role in modernizing nonwoven manufacturing processes with a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Farer was instrumental in Freudenberg’s collaboration with NWI and NC State to establish an FDA-approved face mask production facility. He also led the successful merger of Freudenberg with nonwovens manufacturer Low & Bonar in Asheville, NC. Prior to his appointment at NWI, he served as Chair of NWI’s Industrial Advisory Board Executive Committee.
Dr. Farer earned his Ph.D. in Fiber and Polymer Science (1999) and his M.S. in Textile Management and Technology (1996) from NC State University, following a B.S. in Textile Engineering from Philadelphia University. He has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications and remains dedicated to mentoring the next generation of textile and nonwovens professionals.
At NWI, Dr. Farer works alongside leadership to advance the Institute’s strategic vision, strengthen industry partnerships, and support student development in the field of nonwovens.
Education
Ph.D. Fiber and Polymer Science NC State University 1999
M.S. Textile Management and Technology NC State University 1996
B.S. Textile Engineering Philadelphia University
Area(s) of Expertise
Nonwoven Materials and Manufacturing
Fiber Science
Sustainable Textile Technologies
Product Development and Innovation
Polymer Science
Publications
- Ultra-thin, porous and mechanically stable nonwoven and its use , (2005)
- Ultra-thin, porous and mechanically stable nonwoven and its use , (2005)
- Nonwoven Separator for Electrochemical Cell , (2004)
- Nonwoven Separator for Electrochemical Cell , (2004)
- Forming shaped/molded structures by integrating meltblowing and robotic technologies , TEXTILE RESEARCH JOURNAL (2003)
- Nonwoven Separator for Electrochemical Cell , (2003)
- Nonwoven Separator for Electrochemical Cell , (2003)
- Study of meltblown structures formed by robotic and meltblowing integrated system: Impact of process parameters on fiber diameter distribution , International Nonwovens Journal (2003)
- Meltblown structures formed by a robotic and meltblowing integrated system: Impact of process parameters on fiber orientation and diameter distribution , TEXTILE RESEARCH JOURNAL (2002)
- Processing cotton and cotton/pulp blends for wet-laid nonwovens using novel dispersion technologies , Nonwovens Conference Proceedings (1998)