In today’s fast-paced nonwoven industry, innovation has become more than just a goal; it’s the key to sustaining growth and securing market leadership. Whether you’re a CEO, VP, Director, or Senior Manager in sustainability, product development, or technical and general management, understanding and measuring innovation within your organisation is critical. One metric that offers valuable insight into your company’s innovation performance is the New Product Vitality Index (NPVI).

The New Product Vitality Index Explained

The NPVI is a key performance indicator that measures the proportion of total revenue or profit generated from products developed and launched within a specific timeframe, typically the last three to five years. It indicates how effectively your R&D investments translate into innovation and drive financial success.

A high NPVI showcases a robust R&D pipeline and a significant return on innovation investment. Conversely, a low NPVI can signal the need for a strategic reassessment of your innovation processes and R&D focus. For companies preparing for mergers and acquisitions, NPVI also demonstrates future growth potential and highlights your innovation capabilities.

Why NPVI Matters for High-Performance Nonwovens

Staying ahead in the high-performance nonwoven sector demands constant innovation; with applications in industries such as medical, hygiene, automotive, and construction, companies must continuously improve fabric performance, sustainability credentials, and cost efficiency.

Measuring innovation through NPVI provides several advantages:

• Strategic Alignment: Ensures your R&D efforts align with market demands and organisational goals.
• Resource Allocation: Enables effective allocation of resources to high-impact projects.
• Market Competitiveness: Helps maintain a competitive edge by regularly introducing cutting-edge new products.
• Sustainability Goals: Supports the development of sustainable products that meet evolving regulatory requirements and customer expectations.

Responding to Volatile Market Conditions

In today’s rapidly changing market, companies face unprecedented challenges like supply chain disruptions, rising raw material costs, and fluctuating customer demand. The high-performance nonwovens sector is no exception. Innovation is a necessity, not a luxury to thrive in these conditions.

The ability to rapidly adapt and remain competitive means developing new products that meet emerging market needs, improving existing lines to enhance performance and sustainability, and leveraging new technologies to streamline production. Companies investing in innovation are better positioned to mitigate market volatility and achieve long-term success.
 

How NIRI Can Support Your Innovation Needs

At NIRI, we help companies create next-generation nonwoven products. Our expertise spans the entire product development lifecycle-from initial proof of concept and prototyping to small-scale manufacturing and product validation. We also work across all nonwoven market sectors. Here’s how we can assist your company:

• World-leading expertise: Our scientists and engineers collaborate with your R&D and product development teams to create breakthrough products that meet specific performance and sustainability goals.
• Commercially focused and confidential: Everything we do is commercially aware, pragmatic, and confidential, helping you develop new intellectual property or market insights with complete confidentiality.
• Bespoke projects: Tailored to your technical needs, our projects are designed to focus on business objectives and maximise market impact.
• Prototyping and testing: We offer full lab- and pilot-scale fibre and nonwoven fabric prototyping facilities to help design, manufacture, and test new products.
• Sustainable development: From evaluating biobased and recycled materials to creating plastic-free fabrics that contribute to the UN’s SDGs, we help companies meet the demands of green growth.

Lead with Innovation – Assess Your NPVI and Partner with NIRI Today

Innovation is not a one-time event but a continuous process. By leveraging the NPVI and partnering with NIRI, we can help your organisation develop a steady flow of innovative products that drive your growth and solidify your market leadership.


Ross Ward is the chief commercial officer of NIRI, a global provider of development efforts for fibers, nonwovens and advanced materials based in Leeds, U.K.
 

More information.