#Research & Development

2022-08-11

The 61st Dornbirn GFC 2022 will take place live in Dornbirn from 14 - 16 September

This year, the 61st anniversary of the Dornbirn-GFC Congress will take place live in Dornbirn, Austria, from 14 – 16 September, and everybody is excited to meet in person and enjoy the great networking like in former times.

Because of the great success in 2019, the „2nd Dornbirn GFC Startup Days“ will take place during the same time of the congress. Again PwC (Price Waterhouse Coopers) will be the lead organiser of the event, supported by Vagabond, RWTH Aaachen and WTiN. 30 Startups from all over the world will be in Dornbirn to pitch their innovations, gain knowledge and enjoy networking with industry and research.

Top level key note speakers on the Opening Day from:

the fibre industry, the packaging industry, the equipment & machinery industry and from the top University Oxford.

Key topic will be innovation, sustainability & circular economy and the final panel discussion with the above leaders will show us the way forward and how current and future challenges will be managed.

Exciting outcomes from the attempt of cross industry innovation:

„Packaging Industry meets Fibre Industry“ - many synergies in terms of feedstock, process technology, applications, circular economy and other.

100 expert lectures from industry, universities and research institutes:

Lectures will take place in parallel in 3 lecture halls.

Panel discussions and breakout sessions:

This will provide a „deep dive“ on certain selective topics and provide opportunities for networking and information exchange.

Exhibition area and „Innovation Hub“: ca 20 regular exhibitors and ca 30 Startups are using their booth as contact point & advertising space

Dornbirn GFC 2022 Topics:

# Fibre Innovations

# Sustainability, Circular Economy and Machinery # Apparel and Sports Wear

# Smart and Functional Surfaces

# Nonwovens

# Sustainable Packaging

Thanks to our ambitious partners and sponsors, we are able to attract a global audience. This will foster the global exchange of ideas and innovations in the fibre industry and along the value chain of textiles and nonwovens and well into the packaging industry.

Other interesting ideas and topics will follow. Please join us and register: http://www.dornbirn-gfc.com

GFC Dornbirn 2025: From carbon to circular - join the transformation

The Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC) returns from September 10–12, 2025, bringing together over 100 expert speakers, leading innovators, and global stakeholders for a focused and energizing program in Dornbirn, Austria. As global challenges mount—from decarbonization pressures to shifting markets—this year’s congress reaffirms its role as a key platform for forward-looking solutions and collaborative progress.

Pre-programme Rreleased: Dornbirn-GFC 2025 unveils key topics and international highlights

The wait is over – the pre-programme for the 64th Dornbirn-GFC is now available online, setting the stage for one of the most important global events in fiber innovation and textile research. The 2025 congress will take place from September 10–12 in Dornbirn, Austria, and promises more than 100 expert lectures from industry, academia, and research institutes, presented in parallel across three lecture halls.

Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress 2025 issues call for innovative papers

The Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC) has announced an open call for papers, inviting researchers, industry experts, and manufacturers from around the world to submit groundbreaking ideas for its 64th annual event. Scheduled for September 10-12, 2025, in Dornbirn, Austria, the congress will serve as a dynamic platform for showcasing advancements poised to shape the fiber and textile industries’ future.

TCLF: Resilient value chains in times of crises

The textiles, clothing, leather and footwear (TCLF) industry was at the centre of the webinar “Resilient value chains in times of crises”, which took place on 28 April 2026. Global supply chains continue to face increasing pressure, raw material dependencies are growing and economic uncertainties are affecting the entire sector.

Textile climate control system in workwear – exhibition at the 2026 SME Innovation Day!

Conventional protective workwear often reaches its limits during strenuous physical activity. In particular, the transport of sweat and excess body heat poses a problem. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) conducted research on flow-optimized, air-conducting textile structures that enable targeted climate control directly on the body. These structures can be integrated straight into protective work garments. The textile climate control system supports the body’s natural thermoregulation. This contributes to improved workplace safety and comfort.

Elastic yarns to become more recyclable and environmentally friendly in future

On 29 April 2026, ITA student Tobias Dickmeiß was awarded a sponsorship prize by the Wilhelm Lorch-Stiftung for his innovative approach, to replacing conventional elastane with elastic yarns made from thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPC). Thanks to their thermoplastic nature and compatibility with typical polyesters used in the textile industry, elastic TPC yarns offer improved recyclability. Furthermore, the use of the melt-spinning process in yarn production eliminates the need for solvents that are harmful to the environment and human health.

Walter Reiners Foundation Prize awarded to three ITA graduates

Sabina Dann, Lukas Balon and Annegret Storm from the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation Prize by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) for their master’s and bachelor’s theses. Peter Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards during Techtextil at the VDMA stand in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Itema to showcase weaving excellence at ITM 2026

From June 9 to 13, Itema will exhibit at ITM 2026 in Istanbul (Hall 8 – Stand 806D), unveiling a distinctive exhibition concept designed to highlight the Company’s expertise across the entire weaving value chain. For this year’s edition, Itema will introduce an innovative stand experience built around two core areas: advanced weaving and spare parts solutions and an immersive textile gallery featuring fabrics produced by Itema Customers worldwide.

Last chance to apply: ITMA 2027 Start-Up Valley closes tomorrow

Applications for the Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 close tomorrow, offering young technology companies the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of several successful participants from the 2023 edition. The initiative, organised under the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant programme, has already helped a number of textile start-ups accelerate their transition from early-stage concepts to industrial partnerships, funding rounds and commercial deployment.