Workforce Development
The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) offers an extensive array of training content, ranging from materials to products. These training programs are formalized into various course offerings, with regularly scheduled in-person short courses, presented in partnership with INDA, The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, custom courses and a full selection of online training modules available to meet your professional development needs.
Short Courses
- Elementary Nonwovens
January 28-29, 2025
Learn More - Intermediate Nonwovens
February 4-7, 2025
Learn More - Spunbond Technology
March 4-6, 2025
Learn More - Carded Nonwovens Technology
April 1-3, 2025
Learn More - Fiber and Filament Extrusion Fundamentals
June 10-12, 2025
Learn More - Meltblown Technology
August 12-14, 2025
Learn More - Nonwoven Product Development and Innovation
September 9-12, 2025
Learn More - Intermediate Nonwovens
September 30-October 3, 2025
Learn More - Elementary Nonwovens
October 28-29, 2025
Learn More
* Short courses presented in partnership with INDA – Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry.
Custom Training Courses
NWI offers customized training courses that are designed specifically for your company. Custom training programs can be designed to include any combination of online/virtual learning, in-person classroom sessions, and hands-on activities in NWI’s state-of-the-art nonwoven fabrication and testing labs.
To inquire about custom training opportunities with NWI, please contact us at nonwovens@ncsu.edu.
Online Training Modules
Each of the following training modules has its own registration at a fee is $100 per module. The recording is available for two weeks from the date of registration. Courses are grouped by theme, but you can select the content that best meets your needs.
- Course 00 : Nonwoven Technology: On the Frontlines of a Global Pandemic
- Course 01 : Introduction to Nonwovens
- Course 02 : Polymer Materials for Nonwovens
- Course 03 : Fibers and Filament Extrusion Fundamentals
| Course 00 : Nonwoven Technology: On the Frontlines of a Global Pandemic | |||||
| This is a series of recordings of eight 60 minute webinars presented in 2020 by The Nonwovens Institute to the industry that provided critical technical information and insight on the value and importance nonwoven technology has on products developed and used for infection prevention products (PPE). Each webinar recording includes an informative Q&A session. | |||||
| Module | Title | Presenter | Description | Registration Link | |
| 1 | The Anatomy of N95 and Surgical Masks | Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi | An examination of specific materials, construction, and performance of various facemasks in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Key attributes of nonwovens technology and their effect on filtration efficiency and user protection are also discussed. | Register here | |
| 2 | Air and Aerosol Filtration Basics | Dr. Hooman Tafreshi | An overview of air and aerosol filtration science and testing and discussion of the key attributes regarding nonwoven filtration media and their effect on filtration performance and user protection. | Register here | |
| 3 | Meltblown Fabrics and Process for PPE | Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi | An overview of the meltblown process and materials including a discussion of the key attributes of meltblown fabrics and the importance to facemasks and other PPE (personal protection equipment) products and applications. | Register here | |
| 4 | Spunbond Fabrics and Process for PPE | Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi | An overview of the spunbond process and materials including a discussion of the key attributes of spunbond fabrics and the importance to facemasks and other PPE (personal protection equipment) products and applications. | Register here | |
| 5 | Gowns | Mr. Pierre Grondin | An overview of nonwoven gowns and a discussion of the key material components, standards, and critical performance properties of nonwoven gowns for use in PPE applications. | Register here | |
| 6 | Wipes and Other Products | Mr. Pierre Grondin | An overview of nonwoven wipes and other infection prevention and sanitizing products with discussion of the key material components, standards, and critical performance properties of nonwoven wipes for use in infection control and sanitation applications. | Register here | |
| 7 | Facemasks II – N95 Testing | Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi | A focus on standard test protocols for N95 respirators and a discussion of procedures used by NIOSH – TEB-APR-STP-0058 and 42 CRFR Part 84. Real examples of how respirators behave during the test method is provided. Guidance on how to test flat sheets of filtration materials to estimate performance in a respirator is given. | Register here | |
| 8 | Facemask III – Surgical Mask Testing | Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi | A focus on standard test protocols for surgical masks including the relevant ASTM standards as well as FDA guidelines. These include ASTM F2299/F2299M-03 (2017), ASTM F2101-19, ASTM F1862/F1862M-17, ASTM F1494-14, ASTM F3387-19 as well as FDA Guidelines. | Register here | |
| Course 01 : Introduction to Nonwovens | |||||
| A series of five 45-60 minute lectures introducing the student to introductory information on nonwoven applications, nomenclature, performance properties, manufacturing processes, and material science. This introductory course is designed to provide a good base of more comprehensive technical subject matter later in the series. | |||||
| Module | Title | Presenter | Description | Registration Link | |
| 1 | Introduction to Nonwovens – An Engineering Platform | Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi | A brief introduction to nonwovens technology, industry, and product applications. | Register here | |
| 2 | Structure of Nonwovens | Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi | An introduction to the basic structure of nonwovens and its influence on product properties. | Register here | |
| 3 | Overview of Spunbond and Meltblown Web Forming | Dr. Benoit Maze | A basic overview of the two major fabric forming processes converting polymer directly to fabrics. | Register here | |
| 4 | Overview of Staple Fiber Web Forming | Mr. David Nelson | A basic overview of the major fabric forming processes using staple fiber as the starting raw material. | Register here | |
| 5 | Overview of Bonding Processes | Dr. Benoit Maze | A basic overview of the major fabric bonding processes used to make nonwovens. | Register here | |
| Course 02 : Polymer Materials for Nonwovens | |||||
| A series of three – 45-60 minute lectures introducing the student to relevant material science information for beginning to understand nonwovens process technology along with product application properties and performance. | |||||
| Module | Title | Presenter | Description | Registration Link | |
| 1 | Polymer Primer | Dr. Abhay Joijode | This module covers the basics of polymer precursors that are commonly used in making nonwovens. Topics include basic definitions, history, classification, methods of making them, and implications of chain structure. | Register here | |
| 2 | Polymer Molecular Weight and Density | Dr. Abhay Joijode | This module highlights the importance of molecular weight and density of polymers and how to measure these properties. | Register here | |
| 3 | Polymer Thermal and Rheological Analysis | Dr. Abhay Joijode | This module describes the importance, measurement, and data interpretation of moisture, thermal and rheological properties relative to the extrusion of polymers in fibers and nonwoven fabrics. | Register here | |
| Course 03 : Fibers and Filament Extrusion Fundamentals | |||||
| A series of four– 45-75 minutes lectures introducing the students to critical technology elements of fiber and filament extrusion processing and materials. Students will gain knowledge into the importance of fiber and filaments as a basic feed stock to nonwoven fabrics and processes. | |||||
| Module | Title | Presenter | Description | Registration Link | |
| 1 | Fiber Formation, Classification, and General Properties | Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi & Dr. Abhay Joijode | An introduction to general physical, chemical, and structural properties of natural, synthetic, and regenerated fibers which will affect the overall performance and processing of fabrics. | Register here | |
| 2 | Staple Fiber Production and Crimp | Dr. Carl Wust | A detailed overview, with videos, of modern staple fiber manufacturing processes and applications. Topics such as filament spinning, drawing, crimping, cutting and baling are covered in depth. | Register here | |
| 3 | Fiber Texturizing | Dr. William Oxenham | Texturizing, a process by which synthetic fibers are modified to change their physical properties and appearance, is not used in nonwoven manufacturing, but it is included here for completeness. | Register here | |
| 4 | Bicomponent and Specialty Fibers | Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi | An overview of multicomponent fiber and specialty fiber technology, manufacturing processes, applications, and properties. | Register here | |
If you have questions about NWI or our service offering, please contact us at nonwovens@ncsu.edu.