Origin

The emergence of Nonwoven has created a true technological breakthrough relative to the traditional textile transformation process by developing fabrics directly from the raw material in a fibrous state and thus greatly reducing manufacturing costs. This technology has made the development of new markets possible, through products well known by the public (diapers, wipes, etc.) or more technical ones (filtration, insulation products, etc.). Development perspectives remain high, including in developed countries, even if these markets have seen a substantial growth over the last twenty years.
This is why numerous players of the Nord-Pas de Calais Region have lent their support to the idea of creating a centre specialising in nonwovens of international scope.
The project, which has obtained the R2ITH label, has started by establishing a laboratory pilot line called “drylaying”, and, in time, should make it possible to cover all nonwoven product elaboration processes at the service of all industrial networks concerned.

Labellised by the R2ITH, and with the support of :
-  The Ministry of Industry (DIGITIP)
-  The Nord-Pas de Calais DRIRE
-  The Nord-Pas de Calais Regional Council
-  The European Union (FEDER)
-  The Union des Industries Textiles Nord (UIT – Union of Textile
   Industries)
-  The Lille Métropole Communauté Urbaine (Lille Metropolis Urban
   Community)

This project, spearheaded by IFTH in association with ENSAIT and ESTIT, opens the way for numerous Research & Development partnerships with schools, university laboratories and French and foreign technical centres in various disciplines such as Textile, Chemistry, Automatic Systems, Biology, etc.