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Cordage Institute and Eurocord 6th Joint Conference
Welcome to the First-Time Attendees!
The 2024 Technical Seminar presenters (left to right): Koen Van Goethem, Linda Otterstatter, Dr. John Ohanian, Rafael Chou, Luis Padilla, and Katie Weiler
Professor Robinson gives the keynote address.
Thank you to Bill Putnam for his years of service and dedication as Cordage Institute President.
Congratulations to our new President, Beth Huntley (left) and Vice President, Fran Hoffman (right)!
There was plenty of opportunity for networking during the conference!
Highlights of the Cordage Institute and Eurocord’s 6th Joint Conference
On June 16-19, 2024, the Cordage Institute and Eurocord held their 6th Joint Conference at the Sonesta Resort in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The full conference program included a Technical Seminar, Business Meeting, Technical Subcommittee and Task Group meetings, as well as a meeting of the full Technical Committee. During the full Technical Committee Meeting, reports from each Subcommittee and Task Group were provided.
The Business Session included the keynote presentation “Artificial Intelligence and the Cordage Industry: Opportunities and Challenges” by Professor W. Keith Robinson from Wake Forest University School of Law.
The busy program for the Technical Seminar included the following presentations:
- Integrated Structural Health Monitoring of Woven Structures
Presented by Dr. John. Ohanian with Luna Innovations Incorporated
- Yarn-on-Yarn Testing Method – Stability Improvement for Abrasion and CoF Measurements
Presented by Rafael Chou with Zhejiang Four Brothers Rope Co. Ltd.
- Biotwine Made from Seaweed to Replace Petroleum-Based Plastic Twine and Tubular Mesh for Terrestrial and Ocean Farmers
Presented by Katie Weiler with Viable Gear
- Untangling Justice: The Forensic Examination of Cordage at the FBI Laboratory
Presented by Linda M. Otterstatter with FBI Trace Evidence Unit
- Industry 4.0 and Rope Manufacturing – How Will the Data Revolution Change One of Our Oldest Inventions
Presented by Luis Padila with Knowix
- Bio-Based Coatings and Life Cycle Management/Assessment: An Update – Climate Change, Sustainability, Life Cycle Assessment and Coatings: What to do?
Presented By Koen Van Goethem and Loet Hoppe with I-Coats N.V.
Additionally, new member presentations were given by Buccaneer Rope Company, Graphene One, and Barbara Danak with Nexis Fibers presented “Sustainability as the Core Strategic Program at Nexis Fibers.”
On Monday night, at the President’s Night Dinner, the music was provided by Ben Robbins and set the upbeat mood for the evening. The presentation of the Gale Foster Award of Merit to Steve Hudson, received by Diane Cousineau Hudson, was met with great applause. Both Brent Gerdes and Bill Pearson were thanked for their years of service on the Board of Directors. Finally, Bill Putnam was thanked by Beth Huntley for his service as the President of the Cordage Institute.
Wes Conger with Cortland is the 2024 recipient of “The Richards” Technical Contribution Award. Named in honor of the Cordage Institute’s former Technical Director, Dave Richards, “The Richards” is presented annually to members who have demonstrated their dedication to the organization and to the industry through their hard work and exceptional contributions to the Cordage Institute’s technical program. Wes, unable to attend the conference, received the award prior to the event. A video of Wes receiving the award was shown to attendees during the Business Meeting.
We would like to extend a special thank you to the following conference sponsors:
- Avient Protective Materials
- FibrXL
- Fletcher Industries
- Hailide America
- Hamilton International
- Herzog GmbH
- Honeywell
- I-Coats N.V.
- Kuraray
- Nexis Fibers
- Robco Engineering
- Teijin Aramid
- TP Industrial Yarns
Check your passports and save the date for the Cordage Institute 2025 Annual Conference. The event will be held on May 20-22, 2025 at the Hotel Place D’Armes in Montreal, Quebec.
