#Yarn & Fiber

2024-08-08

63rd Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress & 4th Innovation Days discuss key industry issues in September

The 63rd Dornbirn GFC 2024 is all about the energy transition and presents innovative solutions for the textile industry. The presentations on energy solutions during the three-day congress will begin with a plenary lecture on the opening day.

Dornbirn GFC is an important meeting place of the textile industry © 2024 Dornbirn GFC

The energy transition: a burden for the industry or an opportunity for energy innovation?

Rudolf Zauner, VERBUND AG - expert for renewable energies will start the opening day of the Dorbirn GFC with a plenary lecture on this question. With further decarbonization, the transition from fossil fuels to carbon-free and renewable energy sources, energy innovations and sector coupling for advanced and systemic solutions are moving into focus. Rudolf Zauner presents innovative energy solutions from Verbund AG and discusses what can be achieved when the worlds of industry, energy suppliers and start-ups meet and how the competitiveness of industry can be maintained. Franz Zöchbauer, Verbund AG,

on participating in the Dornbirn GFC: "As a leading company in energy technology, we are aware of the importance of innovation and sustainability in the global textile industry. By supporting this congress, we are investing in the future of fiber innovation, which is in line with our own ambitions to promote ecologically sustainable and energy-efficient solutions."

Energy solutions: These innovations are an important step towards a sustainable future:

On Friday, September 13, the topic of energy solutions will be explored in greater depth in a block of presentations in Hall C in collaboration with the Institute of Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen University and its industry partners. The planned session will highlight the intersection of nature, technology and sustainability. Prof. Thomas Gries (Director of the ITA): "These innovations are an important step towards a sustainable future. By integrating natural principles and advanced technologies, we can tackle some of the most pressing energy issues of our time." Details of the presentations are listed in the main program: www.dornbirn-gfc.com

The European policy and regulatory landscape for the textile industry has changed fundamentally!

The Dornbirn GFC also offers its visitors up-to-date information on the EU's plans for new regulations and provisions for the fiber industry. Cornelia Mohor from the European Commission will be a plenary speaker at the Dornbirn GFC on Wednesday, September 11, to provide information on this topic: "A package of EU policies and upcoming regulations is redefining how textile products are manufactured, sold and consumed in the EU. A review of the EU regulation on textile labeling has been initiated. Textile fibers and fiber innovations are an important topic in this planned review".

Update on the Dornbirn GFC 2024:

Visitors can look forward to 125 specialist presentations over three days of the congress. In 2024, the classification of the presentations has been revised so that even more specialist areas in the field of fiber innovations are now covered: Biopoymers, Biomaterials, High Performance and Technologies, Natural Fibers, Surface Treatment, Raw Materials, Nonwovens and Circular Economy and Recycling.

The support of new sponsors offers the Dornbirn GFC additional opportunities to expand the range of products and services on offer to visitors and to maintain the international platform for the future. Thanks go to the following companies: Verbund AG, Vienna (AUT), Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG, Hanau (GER) and MP Corporate Finance GbmH, Vienna (AUT). Matthias W. Gluth: "The current booking situation shows us that visitor interest in the Dornbirn GFC is unbroken. We greatly appreciate this, especially in view of the current difficult economic situation. Special thanks also go to all the speakers, whose expertise and high quality standards create the basis for an outstanding congress."

Combined ticket:

Dornbirn GFC, Kulturhaus, Dornbirn from September 11 - 13, 2024 Dornbirn GFC online on demand from September 16 - 30, 2024 (presentations as video and the presentations for download as pfd file)

Information + main program: 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.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Grasim Industries announces fresh investment of ₹3094 Crore to expand Lyocell capacity

Grasim Industries Limited, the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group and a global leader in cellulosic fibres, today announced an investment of ₹3,094 crore, for Phase II Lyocell capacity of 110K TPA at Harihar, Karnataka. This expansion will consist of 2 lines of 55K TPA (150 Tons per day) each. The first line is expected to be commissioned by 2028, and the second line is expected to be commissioned by 2030.

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

ITM 2026 makes happy participants with its international and qualified visitor profile

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious meeting points of the textile machinery sector, attracted attention in its first three days, particularly with its diverse international visitor numbers. Industry professionals from all over the world had the opportunity to closely examine the latest technology machines and solutions displayed in operation. Thousands of visitors from approximately 100 countries, primarily Egypt, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, met at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center for new investment and cooperation opportunities.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.