INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, awarded industry veteran Ed Thomas with a Lifetime  Technical Achievement Awards at the RISE Conference earlier this week.

“It is a fantastic honor to receive the Lifetime Technical Achievement Award,” says Ed Thomas. “From the very beginning of my journey in this tremendously dynamic industry, I remain in awe of the diversity and innovations that continue to blossom. It has been a true pleasure to participate in and contribute to the technical advances that make nonwovens such an exciting industry,” Thomas said.

Ed Thomas retired after 39 years, with 32 years in the nonwovens industry, and has remained active teaching the Intermediate Nonwovens Training Course for INDA and The Nonwovens Institute at North Carolina State University, as well as providing consulting services to the industry.

Thomas’ experience includes Process Engineering Manager and Plant Management, DuPont; Technical Director, Reemay; VP of Research and Operations, VP of Operations and Technology, and Global VP of Research and Development for Fiberweb/BBA Nonwovens; and Head of Research and Product Development, First Quality Nonwovens.

Thomas holds 10 U.S. nonwoven patents and he and his teams have been awarded more than 250 patents for numerous and diverse innovations that have played significant roles in the success of the nonwovens industry. These include applications for the global hygiene market, industrial nonwovens, and filtration media.

During his career, Thomas has presented several keynote addresses and papers to industry conferences, participated in North Carolina State University’s Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center (NCRC) prior to it becoming The Nonwovens Institute (NWI), INDA’s Technical Advisory Board, INDA’s Sustainability Committee, and was Vice Chair of NWI’s Industrial Advisory Board prior to retirement and remains an Emeritus member.

Thomas’ award is one of four being presented by INDA this year. Earlier this year, Jan O’Regan and Seshadri Ramkumar, were awarded the LIfetime Service and Lifetime Technical Awards, respectively and the World of Wipes International Conference in July. Additionally, Jim Robinson will receive a Lifetime Technical Achievement Award at the Hygienix Conference in November.