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Program Schedule TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026 8:15AM Welcome and Opening Remarks
Barry Brady, Organic Dyes and Pigments and Sarah Weese, Dick's Sporting Goods, Conference Co-Chairs8:25 Color Theory - Martin Bide, Professor Emeritus, University of Rhode Island SESSION I 9:00 The Modern Dye Laboratory: Digital Integration, Small-Batch Capability, and Shade Precision – Jessica Brooks, WL Gore & Associates, Inc.
Modern dye laboratories are expected to achieve rapid shade development, minimize scale-up risk, reduce environmental impact, and support flexible production needs. This session will compare mill, brand, and academic laboratory environments, highlighting shared fundamentals while focusing on the technical requirements unique to mill operations. Core principles include establishing dedicated dyeing, finishing, and colorfastness testing zones; deploying calibrated spectrophotometers and light booths; automated chemical and dye dispensing systems; and implementing documentation systems that leverage digital shade approval. These improvements will help reduce shade variation, shorten lab dip timelines, and improve first-time scale-up reproducibility.
The goal is to enable laboratories to function not merely as testing areas but as advanced technical hubs that support training, digital integration, data traceability, ISO compliance, and innovation in textile coloration.
9:30 LEDs and Their Challenges – Mark Graham, Graham Technical Services
10:00 Break (visit exhibitors and posters) 10:20 Digital Standards & Color Communication in the LED/UV Era – Ryan Stanley, X-Rite 10:50 Color Matching & Control – Tim Williams, Color Solutions International; Doug Bynum, natific; Chris Hipps, Archroma 11:30 Panel Discussion 12:15PM Networking Lunch SESSION II 1:00 Natural Fibers & Efficiency Analytics – Hasan Shahari, FIBRE52
1:30 Preparation of Synthetic Fibers : Best Practices – Brian Furr, Archroma
This presentation is a summary of general best practices for the preparation of various synthetic fibers. It reviews the impact of fiber chemistry, substrate structure, machinery and general chemical processes used to prepare them for their ultimate end-use.2:00 Enzymatic Degradation of Cotton-based Textiles for Fiber Separation and Recycling – Sonja Salmon, North Carolina State University
Cotton is a highly desirable fiber for textile apparel, household goods and other products. Cotton is frequently treated with dyes and finishes to impart aesthetic and functional properties and is blended with other fiber types to provide comfort and moisture management. Rather than dispose of cotton-containing materials at their end of life, we have been developing enzymatic fiber separation methods that degrade long cotton fibers to slurries of small cotton fiber fragments (CFFs), as a safe and practical way to recover non-cotton fibers from blends for recycling and to produce novel short cellulosic fiber feedstocks that can be reprocessed for new uses. CFF properties and the impact of dyes and finishes on their production will be discussed.SESSION III 2:30 Color Without Compromise: Biobased Dyes and the Future of Sustainable Dyeing – Michele Schmidt, North Carolina State University
Biobased dyes are re-emerging as an area of interest for textile coloration, driven by renewed interest in sustainable materials. Current research demonstrates that biobased dyes can be enhanced through enzymatic and biosynthetic approaches, as well as chemical modifications derived from organic synthesis methods, to combine desirable properties of both natural and synthetic dyes. In parallel, as the textile industry explores lower‐impact coloration methods, waterless supercritical CO2 dyeing offers a more sustainable alternative for applying biobased dyes. Advances in supercritical CO2 dyeing reveal both successes and limitations of biobased dyes, highlighting structure–property relationships in which some anthraquinones excel, whereas others require strategic redesign to reduce mutagenicity or improve fiber affinity. Understanding these molecular, environmental, and performance factors is essential for developing safe, effective, and scalable biobased dyes for next-generation textile materials.2:55 Break (visit exhibitors and posters) 3:15 New Color Application Technologies – Jennifer Thompson, COLOURized 3:40 ɫֱTest Methods – Gregg Woodcock, ɫֱExecutive Director 4:05 Advancements and Challenges in Sustainable Salt-free Reactive Dyeing of Cellulose – Thomas Braun, Livinguard
Thomas provides a short overview of the history of cationic dyeing of cellulose and various technologies & projects in that space. He then introduces the next generation cationic dyeing system Livinguard EFD highlighting how the technology works and differs from other such products. Furthermore, he provides a holistic overview of the validation & testing journey for the technology and shares results obtained with partners worldwide to date. Finally, he highlights the economical and environmental impact such technologies can have in adressing the current challenges in the industry.4:30 Precision Spray Dyeing, the future is here – Rick Stanford, BW Converting Inc.
The dyeing process in the textile supply chain is one of the biggest contributors of industrial waste. Brands, retailers and manufacturers look for ways to reduce waste, lower their carbon footprint, and increase their bottom line.
This wasteful process has seen little change over the last several decades. That is until today. Instead of saturating the fabric in a dye bath and extracting the excess, precision spray dyeing applies the exact amount of dyestuff the achieve the right color and depth of shade at the lowest possible wet pickup.
Water, chemical and energy savings up to 50% can be realized.
Quality problems related to tailing and listing are eliminated.4:55 Sustainable Color Application - Speaker TBA 5:20 Panel Discussion 5:50 - 6:00 Closing Remarks 6:30 - 8:00 DINNER SPEAKER:
Success & Failure - Dereck Whittenburg
Dereck Whittenburg is a dynamic motivational speaker, former collegiate basketball standout and coach, and a proven leader whose message of resilience, transformation, and purpose has inspired audiences across the country. He is also the author of the book, Shot Heard Around the World.WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2026 8:15AM Welcome Back SESSION IV
8:30 Innovations in Waterless Dyeing – Swapneshu Baser, Deven Supercritical 8:55 Advancement in Colorfastness Testing Equipment - Speaker TBA 9:20 Transition to North Carolina State Wilson College of Textiles 10:00 Recent Updates from the Wilson College of Textiles - David Hinks, Dean, NC State University Wilson College of Textiles
The dean will share briefly a few recent updates from the college, including new research awards, future partnerships and more.10:30 National Science Foundation Engine - Melissa Sharp, NC State University
11:00 North Carolina State University Wilson College of Textiles Lab Tours
•Analytical service lab
•Digital design lab
•Tʴ
•Dyeing & finishing pilot labs
1:00PM Lunch at North Carolina State University 2:00 Closing Remarks and Adjourn FEATURED EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORSXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXNotice of Consent and Contact Information Sharing
By attending this meeting, you consent to ɫֱusing any photos, videos, or images of you or your likeness in ɫֱmedia or materials. Additionally, your name, company, and email address will be shared with other event attendees. If you prefer not to consent or share your contact information, please email Kim Nicholson to opt out.
Coloration Conference
February 24, 2026 - February 25, 2026
StateView Hotel
2451 Alumni Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27606
Early Registration Deadline: February 10, 2026
