Conference Speakers

Ross Ward, Ph.D.

Chief Commercial Officer, Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute Ltd. (NIRI)

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Ross Ward is responsible for the commercial development of the business. He oversees marketing, sales, product development and customer service activities. As a result, he has a unique insight into the nonwoven industry. With over 10 years at NIRI, Ross has significantly contributed to the growth of the company. He’s been part of a variety of consultancy roles, including business development, operations and technical management.

Ross obtained a MSc and an EPSRC iCASE funded PhD from the University of Leeds. He also holds a BSc(Hons) in Sports Technology from Loughborough University. His PhD was on developing novel materials for military CBRNe protective clothing, funded by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). While completing his full time PhD, Ross also worked. He served as a freelance R&D consultant for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service (GMFRS). Ross also project managed a series of cutting edge medical innovation projects for NIRI.

---

Tackling the Issues of PFAS Replacement in the Nonwoven Industry

The need for PFAS replacement is disrupting the nonwoven industry. Revised EU and US regulations are on the horizon, and there is growing evidence that exposure contributes to organ disease, cancer, and reduced fertility. Companies are now challenged to explore options to reduce or eliminate their dependency on PFAS while maintaining product performance. This is no small undertaking, as no single route to PFAS replacement exists. Potential solutions will likely incorporate PFAS-free additives or coatings, intelligent fibre designs, and textile constructions.

This presentation will focus on strategies for intelligent fibre and nonwoven design, which can serve as a reference for manufacturers wishing to exploit application development approaches for PFAS replacement. NIRI is helping companies develop PFAS-free materials in the automotive, medical, filtration, construction, and performance clothing sectors. Case studies and performance data will be provided where applicable to show the potential strategies.