In a groundbreaking move to bolster its capabilities in the rapidly evolving world of filtration technology, the Nonwovens Institute (NWI) has announced the expansion of its Filtration Testing Lab. The lab’s enhancements encompass a comprehensive suite of cutting-edge instruments catering to an array of industries, including the critical domains of facemasks, respirators, automotive, HEPA, and HVAC applications.
What sets NWI apart is the prestigious A2LA accreditation for ISO 17025, a credential that positions the institute to meet stringent National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requirements for testing materials used in respirators. Moreover, the lab is now equipped to perform ASTM F2299 testing, enabling precise measurement of particle filtration efficiency (PFE) at a remarkable 0.1 microns.
Amy Minton, a veteran with over two decades of experience in overseeing analytical, physical, and filtration test methods for nonwoven materials, manages NWI’s Filtration Testing Lab. In her words, “NWI’s Filtration Testing Lab is an important addition to the institute’s impressive nonwoven fabrication and testing capabilities. Having an ISO 17025 accredited lab for the testing of nonwoven filter media allows us to serve the needs of nonwovens companies who are targeting the fast-growing filtration market. ISO 17025, our decades of testing experience, and our strict adherence to GMP and Standard Operating Procedures provides our industry partners with the assurance that the tests they conduct at NWI will be executed with the highest level of quality and accuracy.”
NWI’s commitment to excellence doesn’t stop at filtration. The institute boasts a fully equipped Analytical and Physical Testing Lab, boasting an extensive catalog of over 60 tests available for nonwoven materials. Beyond testing, NWI offers lab and pilot-scale capabilities for diverse nonwoven production methods such as fibre spinning, meltblown, spunbond, hydroentangling, and staple/carded nonwovens, among others.
NWI’s presence extends beyond the laboratory, as they prepare to exhibit their pioneering work at FiltXPO 2023, scheduled to take place at Navy Pier in Chicago from October 10-12. As a consortium of stakeholders situated at the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University, NWI represents a collaborative powerhouse that spans the entire nonwovens value chain. Their open innovation platform and extensive coverage of the technology readiness level (TRL) spectrum facilitates engagement with industry, government, and academia to pioneer next-generation nonwoven solutions, poised to address mission-critical challenges.
The Nonwovens Institute’s dedication to precision, innovation, and quality assurance is sure to have a far-reaching impact on industries that rely on filtration technology for the safety and well-being of individuals and the environment. With ISO 17025 accreditation and a commitment to excellence, NWI is shaping the future of filtration.