In addition to the exhibition, ANEX 2018 will feature a three-day conference session, also held at Tokyo Big Sight. The sessions will feature a range of prominent speakers all discussing topics relative to the global nonwovens industry.

According to the organizers, the conferences, which are contained within two side-by-side sessions each day, reflect the theme of the show, which is Link to Innovative Future.

Here is a schedule of presentations for the three-day event.

June 6
Academia Session 1
10:30-11:10 a.m.
Fundamental Technologies and Recent Research Trends for Manufacturing of Spunbond and Meltblown Nonwovens, Takeshi Kikutani, professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo Japan

11:20 a.m.-noon
The Latest Technology of Spunbond Nonwovens and Creation of New Markets, Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, associate dean for industry research and extension and executive director, The Nonwovens Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

1-1:40 p.m.
Evaluation Method of Comfort for Nonwovens, Prof. Mari Inoue, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan

1:50-2:30 p.m.
Structure Development and Strength of Fiber,
Professor Yutaka Okoshi, Shinsyu University, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology/Institute for Fiber Engineering

2:20-3:20 p.m.
Today’s Water Treatment Membrane and Its Future Prospects—Reverse Osmosis/Forward Osmosis/Micro Filter Membrane, Professor Hideto Matsuyama
Machinery & Equipment —Session 1

10:30-11:10 a.m.
Trends of Nonwovens Technologies in the World, Osama Yaida, All Nippon Nonwovens Association Adviser

11:20 a.m.-noon
Topic TBD, Hans George Geus, Reifenhaeuser Reicofil, Technical Director

1-1:40 p.m.
Latest Trend of Nonwoven Manufacturing Machinery—Fiber Opening, Card, Crosswrapper, Syoichi Murakami, ITOCHU SysTeech Corporation, managing officer, sales division, no. 2

1:50-2:30 p.m.
Latest Trend of Nonwovens Manufacturing Machinery, part two—Needlepunch Machine, Related Finishing, Winding and Various Auxiliary Devices, Takeyoshi Yogo, president, T.Y. Tex Co. Ltd.

2:40-3:20 p.m.
Trend of Nonwoven Producing Machine for Hygiene—Medical Applications, Kimihiko, Kimura, KCS Fuso Co., managing director

June 7
Academia Session
10:30-11:10 a.m.
Innovative Nonwoven Molding Technology, Dae Young LIM, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Korea

11:20 a.m.-noon
Research Scientist, Research Center for Ubiquitous MEMS and MicroEngineering (UMEMSME), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)

11:20-noon (part 2)
Evolution of Wearable Device and Latest of Printable Device Packaging Technology, Takaaki Domon, chief adviser, regional & community support division of sales department in Akita Bank, Ltd., director/executive mission fellow, Japan Institute of Electronics Packaging

1-1:40 p.m.
Development of New Nonwovens from TTRI, Chao chun Pend, chief, Taiwan Textile Research Institute, Technical Textile Section

1:50-2:30 p.m.
Structural Analysis of Nonwoven Fabrics (needlepunch and meltblown) using X-Rays, KyoungHou Kim, Shinshu University, Department of Advanced Textile and Kansei Engineering, associate professor

2:40-3:20 p.m.
Opportunities and Challenges of the Medical Nonwovens Market, Benny Dang, general manager, Beautiful Nonwoven Co.

Medical and Hygiene
10:30-11:10 a.m.
Specifications and Performances of Japanese Respiratory Protection Apparatus, Maki Shinomiya, koken Ltd. Occupational Safety & Health Division

11:20 a.m.-noon
Trends and New Technologies for Healthcare Nonwoven Applications, Ying Zhang, director, product marketing, health, hygiene and specialties division, Berry Global, Charlotte, NC

1-1:40 p.m.
Environmental Consideration and Correspondence for Hygienic Goods Using Nonwoven Fabrics, Koyoshi Miyazawa, Unicharm Corporation, corporate social responsibility division

1:50-2:30 p.m.
Wet Wipes in Japan, Isao Omura, Japan Cleansing Wipes Industry Association, chair of the committee

June 8
The Environment
10:30-11:10 a.m.
Lithium Ion Battery in the Past, Present and Future Prospects, Akira Yoshino, honorary fellow, Asahi Kasei Corp.

11:20 a.m.-noon
Challenging Application of Geosynthetics to Waste Management, Masashi Kamon, Kyoto University, honorary professor, Research Institute for Environmental Geotechnics, president
Latest Technology of Battery and Its Material Trend, Tetsuo Sakai, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

1:50-2:30 p.m.
Jingxian Liu, Department of Safety and Environment Center of Filter Media Testing, professor, China Filtration and Separation Textile Association, Secretary

2:40-3:20 p.m.
Trend of Recent Standards for General Ventillation Air Filters—Comparison of ISO, EN ASHRAE and JIS, Yutaka Ogaki, ISO/TC142/WG3 Expert

3:30-4:10 p.m.
Domain of Wetlaid Nonwovens and Its Market Application in the Past and Future, Yoshitsugu Hama, Converting Technical Institute

Automotives
10:30-11:10 a.m.
Sound Absorbing Mechanism of Nonwoven and Its Application to Automotives, Hirshi Nakagawa, assistant division manager, Acoustic Solution Division Nihon Onkyo Engineering Co., Ltd.

11:20 a.m.-noon
New Energy Vehicle and Battery Overview in China, Sam Yau, Freudenberg Performance Materials

1-1:40 p.m.
Expectations of Nonwoven/Woven Materials from Automotives Manufacturers, Kiyoshiba Mase, Toyota Motor Corporation, Advanced R&D and Engineering Company/Material Platform Division

1:50-2:30 p.m.
Development of Carbon Fiber, Especially for Automotive Application, Osamu Tsutsumi, group, Carbon Fiber Composite Materials Division, Advanced Moldings and Composites Business Domain

2:40-3:20 p.m.
Current Status and Drawbacks of Technology Developments for Application of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermo-Plastics (CFRTP) to Automotives Structures

3:30-4:20 p.m.
Topic TBD, Masaharu Hatano, Nissan Motor Corporation, Research Center, expert leader


Nanofibers Focus at ANEX
ANEX 2018 will also include a Nanofibers Symposium which is organized by the Japanese Nanofiber Society. This fifth annual symposium will be held at Tokyo Big Sight June 7-8 and will include general sessions focusing on topics such as nanofibers’ role in the environment, composite structures using cellulose nanofiber, nanofiber filters, nonwoven fabric development using nanofibers. Additionally, speakers will examine new application areas for nanofibers like high performance redox flow batteries, face masks and sound absorbing materials.