It was a long wait, about two and a half years, but we finally pulled it off! The 2022 STRC was a fantastic event with the best attendance in many years. For a summary of the STRC, please click this link.
The speakers did a great job in line with the conference theme, “Innovation for Wellness, Safety, & Sustainability”. We would like to thank all the speakers for their efforts. There was a lot of discussion and interaction between the speakers and the attendees. These connections are crucial for stimulating new ideas to move the textile industry into the future!
The 2022 STRC was dedicated to the memory of our friend Preston Aldridge, who passed away in September 2021. We wrapped up the STRC with a dedication ceremony; during the ceremony, a slideshow presentation was shown (click here to see the presentation).
Please go to the Gallery section to see photos from the meeting as well as photos of the social activities.
A new slate of officers was elected during the event. We set the bar high during the 2022 STRC, and we are confident that the new officers will be up to the job for planning to 2023 STRC. Updates will be posted regularly for the 2023 STRC.
The 2022 Southern Textile Research Conference (STRC), after one and a half years’ delays, was finally held on May 1-3, 2022. This was only of the best attended STRC events in many years, with over 40 attendees and speakers present. There was a general excitement in the air throughout the entire event. And to top it all off, the weather was perfect!
This STRC was dedicated to the memory of Preston Aldridge, who passed away September 14, 2021 at 79 years of age. Preston was a loyal supporter of the STRC, and he was a great friend to many attendees as well as associates in the Textile Industry. There was a segment with photos of Preston, along with stories and memories from several STRC attendees. Preston, you will be missed!
The theme of the 2022 STRC was “Innovation for Wellness, Safety, & Sustainability”. The speakers’ presentations covered all aspects of the conference theme.
The STRC started off on the afternoon of May 1 with a presentation from the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Executive Director of The Nonwovens Institute at NC State University. Dr. Pourdeyhimi’s presentation, “COVID-19 Lessons Learned? Challenges & Opportunities”, was a great kickoff for the STRC. The Nonwovens Institute has been an essential resource during the pandemic. The nonwoven pilot line not only provided key resources for research; it was actually used as a production line to offset shortages of masks and other PPE to battle the coronavirus!
Dr. Michael A. Drzewinski started off the May 2 presentations with, “Healthwear – Clothing that Provides Wellness via Active Delivery”. Dr. Michael Drzewinski is the Chief Science Officer for Nufabrx, which makes Healthwear for controlled delivery of wellness drugs. An example of Healthwear would be a compression stocking that would contain a pain relief drug that is gradually delivered over multiple wearings.
Eduardo Palmeira, Application Laboratory Technical Leader for Fabric Care at Electrolux NA, presented, “Fundamentals of the Washing Process: Care and Sustainability in the Laundry Process”. Electrolux is committed to “Make clothes last twice as long with half the environmental impact”. They are introducing new laundering technology to balance cleaning performance with less mechanical action in order to minimize abrasion in the home laundering process.
Lucas Tyson, Senior Business Developer of Hologenix, discussed, “Driving Innovation with Bio-Responsive Textiles and Ingredient Brands”. CELLIANT®, its flagship technology, is an infrared ingredient brand that enhances textile-based products with health and wellness benefits across performance, recovery and sleep.
Howard Malpass, consultant for Denim Dyeing Technical Service LLC, wrapped up the May 2 presentations with, “The Simplicity of Dyeing with Foam”. Foam application technology is a sustainable alternative for lowering water, energy, as well as dye/chemical usage. In recent years, Malpass has been working with the concept of foam dyeing with indigo to denim warp warns. This technology is being used successfully in production facilities. Efforts are underway to streamline and optimize the process. Malpass also discussed the potential for applying other dye types continuously; as opposed to traditional pad dyeing, the foam dyeing process offers potential for zero “tailing” of the dye for improved uniformity throughout each dye lot and with improved dye fixation for less dye washoff.
Mary Ankeny, VP, Product Development and Implementation at Cotton Incorporated, began the May 3 presentations with, “Breaking It Down: Cotton’s Biodegradation Story”. Microplastic pollution has reached alarming levels in recent years. Cotton is not only a renewable resource; cotton microfibers will biodegrade both freshwater and saltwater. The effects of dyes and finishes that are commonly used for cotton were tested for their effects on biodegradation; in all cases the cotton microfibers biodegraded but synthetic microfibers did not degrade.
Dr. Matthew Hardwick, CEO and founder of ResInnova Laboratories, wrapped up the STRC presentations with, “The New Landscape of Antimicrobial Testing:
Changes and Lessons Learned During a Pandemic”. COVID-19 resulted in many changes in federal regulations as well as allowable claims for antimicrobial products, including textiles. Dr. Hardwick provided an outstanding overview of antimicrobial testing protocols and how to interpret the results from a pandemic point of view.
After many years of loyal service by the STRC officers, it was time for a “changing of the guard”. Mike Leamon, who had served as Chair since 2014, was replace by Don Alexander, who vacated the Program Director position. George Henderson, who has served 34 years as STRC Treasurer, handed the baton to Ken Greeson, who had served as Secretary since 2014. The Program Director position was taken by Shane Glover, and the Secretary position was filled by Tony Lufkin; both have been loyal STRC attendees. Good luck to the new STRC officers!
There were many opportunities for the STRC attendees to follow up and ask questions – both in the meeting room and during the social activities. There was much interaction between attendees, not only for the regular STRC attendees who hadn’t met since 2019, but also for many new people to make connections. A lot of ideas were generated during the STRC which will hopefully lead to new industry innovations. It was a conference to remember, and it is hoped that the 2023 STRC will be just as exciting!
