Executive Deputy Director, Nonwovens Institute and Professor of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University

At the Nonwovens Institute (NWI), Raoul Farer serves as Executive Deputy Director and Professor at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles, bringing more than two decades of industry experience in nonwoven technologies and manufacturing.

His expertise spans wet-laid, dry-laid, meltblown, and spunbond processes, alongside bonding technologies including thermal, chemical, hydroentanglement, and needle-punching. At Freudenberg Performance Materials, he held roles across research and development, production, operations, and management, with assignments in Germany, Spain, and the United States. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was instrumental in Freudenberg’s collaboration with NWI and NC State to establish an FDA-approved face mask production facility, and later led the merger with nonwovens manufacturer Low & Bonar in Asheville.

His connection to NWI began during his graduate research at NC State, where he studied dispersion technologies for wet-laid nonwovens and 3D meltblown structures. He later served as chair of NWI’s Industrial Advisory Board executive committee before joining the institute’s leadership.

At NWI, he works to advance the institute’s strategic vision and strengthen industry partnerships.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Fiber and Polymer Science, NC State University, 1999
• Master of Science (MS), Textile Management and Technology, NC State University, 1996
• Bachelor of Science (BS), Textile Engineering, Philadelphia University, 1994