10.01.2012 2012 Symposium Developed by Industry Experts to Meet Current Needs

The latest technology, applications, and the overall direction of the technical textile and nonwovens industry will be presented by experts and leaders from around the world during the Techtextil North America Symposium being held April 24 - 26, 2012 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 2012 Symposium has been developed by industry experts to meet the current strategies and goals of the attendees and exhibitors. The Symposium will contain a structured program allowing ample time for Q & A with the presenters during and at the end of each session and, as always, the program will also allow for plenty of time to spend on the exhibition floor where companies from all aspects of the industry will be showcasing their latest innovative products and developments from around the world.

Held concurrently with the exhibition, the symposium will contain twelve sessions with more than 50 presentations in a variety of formats that will cover a wide range of topics from high performance nonwovens, sustainable materials, military developments and research to medical textiles.  There will also be a new two part session oriented to technical applications; The Basics I - From Fiber to Fabrics and The Basics 2 – From Woven to Nonwovens to Knits.

The Basics I – From Fiber to Fabrics

This is the first part of a two part session intended for those who are new in the industry or those who may want a refresher in textiles oriented to technical applications. Elements of fiber, yarn, fabric types, and subsequent processes used to enhance properties and/or provide greater function will be included. A review by academic and industry experts of the attributes of various materials, their advantages and applications, and how they fit into technical textiles will be an integral part of this program. This session is designed to honor many requests for such a program at the beginning of the event to make your visit more valuable.

The Basics 2 – From Woven to Nonwovens to Knits

A continuation of the elements of technical textiles. This session covers nonwovens in technical textiles along with specialized finishing processes and applications.

High Performance Composites

Composites are everywhere and touch our lives in major ways daily. In technical textiles, composites involve materials that reinforce a resin to produce products (often called reinforced plastic) with high strength-to-weight rations, most often reducing the weight of existing products of metals such as steel and aluminum. It is a growing market. Yet, to most of us, composites appear invisible. This session will review some of the applications, materials, construction, and the advantages of using composites.

Military

Technical textiles continue to be an important component of countless items used by the military.  Dress clothing, protective clothing, tentage, shelters, parachutes, and many other items utilize technical textiles.  Some of the current areas of interest include ballistic protection, flame resistance, and chemical and biological protection.  Presentations will cover the latest developments in science and technology of particular interest to defense applications.

Automotive – Opportunities for Technical Textiles

The automotive interiors marketplace is highly competitive.  Being successful in this market requires fully integrating design expectations with technical performance, all at very aggressive price structures.  Advances in technology, coupled with changing OEM design and styling requirements, are having a significant impact on the selection process for automotive interiors. This session will begin by reviewing key drivers for the raw material supply base for automotive textiles.  Other presentations will explore emerging design trends in automotive interiors, including sustainability initiatives, and examine key changes to technical requirements for the various automotive textile applications. 

Protective Textiles

The Protective Textiles Session is a forward-looking program prepared for those engaged in the Personal Protective Equipment supply chain for public safety, military, industrial safety and other markets. This year’s expert speakers will discuss emerging federal standards, on-going research, and emerging technologies.

Medical

While most healthcare professionals focus on reducing costs and improving patient outcomes what sometimes gets lost is the fact that no other single item is in more direct contact with the patient then the medical textile. In this session we will focus on how advancements in areas such as Anti-microbials, Derma Care, DVT Prevention, and patient and surgical staff safety are improving patient outcomes and reducing costs by applying innovative strategies to enhance comfort and safety for the human element on both sides of the hospital bed.

Fibers

The important performance properties of a technical textile are often delivered primarily by the properties of the fibers used in the fabric.  New technologies are being developed to produce new performance properties in staple fibers, filament yarns, and fibers made directly into nonwovens such as spunbond and meltblown fabrics.  This session will examine some of the most intriguing new fiber technologies.

For the full 2012 Techtextil North America Symposium schedule and additional information on each of the sessions, please visit www.techtextilNA.com.

About Messe Frankfurt

Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s leading trade fair organizer. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 international Sales Partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries.  Events “made by Messe Frankfurt” take place at more than 30 locations around the globe.  In 2009, Messe Frankfurt organized more than 90 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.  The North American headquarters in Atlanta is currently producing trade shows in the USA, Canada and Mexico across various industries.  For more information about Messe Frankfurt, please visit our Web site at www.usa.messefrankfurt.com.

Press Contacts:

Lorie Gross
Marketing & Conference Manager

Phone: +1 770.984.8016 x433
lorie .gross usa .messefrankfurt .com


Stephanie Everett
Vice President, Domestic Shows

Phone: +1 770.984.8016 x424
stephanie .everett usa .messefrankfurt .com