The Lenzing Group will present the Young Scientist Award for outstanding research in the field of fibres and textiles for the first time in 2022. This is a new competition for graduate and postgraduate students working on innovative solutions to address environmental challenges facing the textile industry. The winning project will receive a prize of €5,000.

The deadline for applications is June 15, 2022.

The Dornbirn Global Fibre Congress (GFC Dornbirn) is an ideal platform for the recently launched research competition. Students will have the opportunity to submit their scientific work in the categories of fashion and the circular economy, textile recycling and the innovative use of bio-based fibres to a jury of well-known industry experts, Lenzing said in a press release.

The jury consists of Karla Magruder (Founder of Acceleration Circularity), Friedericke von Wedel-Parlow (Beneficial Design Institute Berlin) and Dieter Eichinger (Head of Standardisation and Innovation, Secretary-General of BISFA). The winning project will receive a prize of €5,000. The aim is to promote the students’ work and create a platform for networking with the textile and fibre industry.

The Lenzing Young Scientist Award gives young scientists around the globe the opportunity to present their research to a well-known jury and an international audience at the GFC Dornbirn 2022, who are eagerly waiting to see the innovative and inspiring work from the next generation, which might become a game changer in the field of fibres and textiles.

“As one of the leading innovators in improving fibres and wovens for decades, Lenzing is best positioned to make a real difference and create a more sustainable future. Driving research and development forward and supporting young scientists in developing their ideas at all times is not just a matter that is close to our heart. We are convinced that innovation and technological progress are vital to our success in tackling the pressing environmental challenges we face,” said Robert van de Kerkhof, member of the managing board at Lenzing Group and president of the Austrian Fibres Institute.

The Austrian Fibers Institute is the organiser of the 61^st Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress on a not-for-profit basis. The event, due to take place from September 14 to 16, 2022, will offer an ideal setting for the presentation of the Young Scientist Award prize.