#Research & Development

2024-07-17

NIRI strengthens fibre, filament and fabric extrusion capabilities with the appointment of Dr. Javier Vera Sorroche

Dr. Javier Vera Sorroche will lead NIRI’s extrusion research and development capability. His extensive background in polymer extrusion, sustainable textile innovation, and business development will be pivotal in helping NIRI to deliver their customers’ next-generation products.

Prior to joining NIRI, Javier managed the Polymer Business Unit at CETI, overseeing advanced extrusion lines. Leading a team of engineers and technicians to deliver innovative advancements for the fibre and nonwovens industries, his work focused primarily on reducing environmental impacts through circular business models – topics that are becoming increasingly important for NIRI’s clients. His responsibilities included implementing chemical recycling processes for cellulose, casein, and keratin fibres and developing eco-friendly methods for products containing fibres and nonwovens. Previously, Javier was an assistant professor at UMass Lowell, managing R&D projects with the U.S. Department of Defence, AFFOA, and ANTEA GROUP. He holds a PhD in Thermoplastics Extrusion from the University of Bradford and a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Murcia, with expertise in single screw extrusion of polymers, extrusion scale-up, and rheometry.

Focus at NIRI: Javier will enhance NIRI’s extrusion capabilities by integrating advanced know-how and techniques into the company’s research and development projects, driving significant progress in NIRI’s capabilities to provide enhanced support to clients. He will lead projects to refine processes and develop products for both high-value and commodity-based industries. Javier’s work will focus on sustainable textile processes, including developing new methodologies for circular business models within the textile industry. His extensive network of industry contacts and deep understanding of textile recycling and sustainable practices will be crucial to these projects. Javier comments,

"I am thrilled to join NIRI, the industry's leading innovation partner. Their unmatched expertise and capability to develop next-generation products set them apart. NIRI's approach to innovation and sustainability aligns perfectly with my values. I look forward to working with their talented team to tackle industry challenges and drive sustainable solutions.”

At the forefront of extrusion innovation: Javier’s expertise aligns with NIRI’s focus on improving extrusion capabilities to meet future customer requirements, including process development of new biopolymers and biodegradable polymers; development of fabrics (spunbound and meltblown), filaments (mono and bico), and stable fibres (mono and bico); development of new masterbatches; lightweighting and replacing multi-layers with innovative single layers, and thermo-mechanical and chemical recycling of polymers.

Dr Matthew Tipper, CEO at NIRI, said, "We are delighted to welcome Dr. Javier Vera Sorroche to NIRI. His expertise in polymer extrusion and sustainable textiles will be invaluable as we continue to expand our capabilities. Javier's addition to our team reflects our dedication to attracting top talent and staying at the forefront of industry innovation."

To find out more about NIRI’s services and capabilities, please visit NIRI’s website.

https://www.nirigroup.com/

NIRI to exhibit at IDEA25

NIRI is excited to announce that they will be exhibiting at IDEA2025, the premier event for nonwovens materials and their applications, taking place at Miami Beach Convention Center from April 28 to May01, 2025. The event also hosts FiltXPO, the North America exhibition dedicated exclusively to filtration and separation.

Networking Day 2026: Industry stakeholders unite around textile recycling

In 2026, the Industry Research Group (IRG) Polymer Recycling once again brought together some of the key stakeholders in textile recycling for its annual Networking Day. This year, the event took place at EREMA’s premises in Ansfelden, Austria. It brought together key players from across the textile recycling value chain for a day of structured exchange and in-depth discussions.

Smart textiles reversibly change shape in an energy-efficient manner in response to ambient temperature

Self-actuating textile structures are used in a wide range of applications, such as medical technology, automation, architecture, agriculture, and the apparel industry. An example is the use of shading nets in greenhouses, which can be deployed and retracted depending on the sunlight intensity. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are developing textiles based on shape-memory polymers with reversibly controllable geometry.

Meadow Grove Research joins ITMF as Corporate Member

Meadow Grove Research is a commodity research firm specializing in supply, demand, and trade analysis in cotton and other soft commodities. Providing clarity to the complex nature of the global fiber supply chain is one of its most formidable services. The firm thrives on customer engagement and providing the best framework for critical decisions.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

Ministry of Industry Delegation visits NatureWorks’ second global manufacturing site at Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex

NatureWorks Asia Pacific Limited welcomed a high-level delegation led by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, to its manufacturing site at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC). The visit follows the successful inauguration of the site on April 29, 2026, and highlights the role of public-private collaboration in advancing Thailand’s sustainable industrial development and bioeconomy ambitions.

Indorama Ventures advances circularity tthrough PETValue Philippines' “Zero Waste to Landfill Partnership” with Republic Cement

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, is advancing the circular economy through a new Zero Waste to Landfill initiative at its recycling site PETValue Philippines, further demonstrating how collaboration across industries can maximize resource efficiency and reduce waste.

The new RDJ 7/3 defines the design footprint of modern athletic shoes

Stylish, functional, and efficient to produce – spacer fabrics are the all-arounders among textile materials. These versatile fabrics are particularly in demand in the sports and casual footwear sector, as they combine comfort, breathability, and design freedom. At the same time, this industry is trend-driven, dynamic, and price-sensitive like few others. Innovations are therefore a decisive factor for success. With the RDJ 7/3, KARL MAYER offers a solution specifically tailored to these requirements. The particular strength of the new double raschel machine: its exceptional flexibility, thanks to its three jacquard bars.