But what concrete opportunities do plant- and animal-based fibres offer for innovation, design and industrial applications? The 38th Bremen Cotton Conference, taking place from 25–27 March 2026 at the House of the Parliament on Bremen’s market square, will address these questions. On 27 March 2026, the topic will be explored in a dedicated, practice-oriented session highlighting perspectives, trends and concrete application possibilities.

Under the leadership of Dalena White, Secretary General of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) and co-spokesperson of the Make the Label Count campaign, the presentations take a clear look at the interplay between sustainability, performance, and material innovation. Rather than offering broad generalizations, the session provides concrete perspectives and highlights which fibres and technologies are truly relevant for the future.

Rethinking natural fibres: How responsibly produced fibres drive material innovation

Drawing on his extensive experience in bionics, Jörg Müssig from Bremen University of Applied Sciences focuses on the diverse potential of responsibly produced fibres. He demonstrates how plant-based and animal-derived materials not only expand traditional textile applications but also open entirely new fields of use - from innovative lightweight components and functional high-tech textiles to materials that combine ecological and economic advantages. Müssig also provides practical insights into how sustainability, material properties, and design interact to fundamentally transform product development and pave the way for circular, environmentally friendly solutions.

Banana and pineapple: Exotic plant fibres or the future of textiles?

Sandra Bohne, Co-Founder and Director of the FIBRAL Material Alliance and consultant, demonstrates how diverse the uses of plant fibres can be. Her organization connects the global plant-fibre industry with the goal of strengthening plant fibres as circular raw materials for the bioeconomy, thereby supporting rural development and climate resilience. FIBRAL brings together 36 types of fibre that can be used alongside cotton in the textile, automotive, construction, and paper industries.

As the world’s population grows, demand for fibres is increasing while agricultural land and cotton yields remain limited. Cellulose-based alternatives such as banana, pineapple, or kapok are therefore gaining importance. When cultivated responsibly, they promote biodiversity, improve water quality, regenerate soils, and store carbon.

At the same time, they create income in rural areas and enable shorter value chains. FIBRAL supports the sector through networking, data collection, and capacity building in order to drive innovation and investment.

Jute, Kapok, Coconut, Silk: The right fibre for the right application

Thomas Bressler, Managing Director of WGC-Holding GmbH, is closely engaged with the question of which natural fibre is best suited for which specific application. Natural fibres differ significantly in their mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, moisture management, thermal characteristics, and processability.

While cotton, the most important natural fibre worldwide in terms of volume, continues to set benchmarks in comfort, versatility, and finishing capabilities, alternative fibres such as jute, kapok, coconut, or silk offer exciting, specialized application possibilities — ranging from robust structural uses and decorative textiles to lightweight, functional specialty textiles for high-tech or performance applications. This diversity opens up new opportunities for innovative product development and responsible materials based on natural fibres.