Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute Ltd (NIRI)

NIRI is an innovation consultancy specializing in the development of fibres, nonwovens, and advanced materials. The company provides a full suite of services, including product development, market and application development, and supply chain support. They operate through a model that bridges fundamental research and commercialization, utilizing extensive in-house laboratory and pilot-scale prototyping facilities to take ideas from conceptualization and proof-of-principle through to scale-up. NIRI differentiates itself by ensuring clients retain 100% of the intellectual property developed during their confidential projects, combining scientific expertise with industrial experience to deliver commercially viable technologies.

These services enable clients across the global textile supply chain to accelerate innovation, optimize material properties, and reduce time-to-market. By applying material science and process engineering, NIRI helps organizations solve critical technical challenges, enhance product performance, and meet sustainability objectives, such as developing biodegradable or recyclable products. The firm’s impact is evidenced by its work on over 900 projects for more than 450 companies, including high-profile initiatives like the development of technology proven to reduce malaria transmission. Established in 2005 as a university spin-out, the company now operates as an independent, Leeds-based organization serving as a strategic R&D partner to global industry leaders.