Over 100 speakers present latest trends at Dornbirn-GFC

Also this year over 700 attendees from more than 30 nations participated in the world`s biggest fibre innovation congress. Particularly companies from Asia and Turkey showed significant interest.

From the perspective of the fibre industry, top plenary lectures led by Robert van de Kerkhof/CCO Lenzing AG and Uday Gill/CEO Indorama Ventures, focused on sustainability. How can software industry support sustainable industry? – This question was outlined by impressing examples from Robert Rosellen/director Microsoft und Stefan Achleitner/research Palo Alto Networks.

For the second time the Congress App enabled the participants successfully to network with each other.

From September 11-12, the 1st Dornbirn-GFC Startup Days took place. The highly anticipated event turned out to be successful. Supported by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) about 20 international startups were selected and invited to Dornbirn. According to the motto 'Come and see where Startups meet Industry, Research and Brands', the young entrepreneurs had the possibility to take part in many of the hundred expert lectures and to present their innovations in the event tent.

An international expert jury selected the three top projects which were awarded prize money by Lenzing AG and could also look forward to consulting services and further support by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Exciting and controversial debates among fibre producers, brands and representatives of the European Textile Association at the CEO-Panel, took place in the field of climate and environmental politics and its responsibilities. Walter Woitsch, partner Syngroup opened the CEO Panel with the question 'Sustainability/Circular Economy - are we leading or lagging?' on the opening day.

"The whole textile industry is focused on the consumer relating to measurements for climate protection and against environmental pollution. Circular economy is one of the solutions in order to avoid negative effects from daily acting versus nature. Only if our branch can handle these challenges on a global basis, we can obtain our societal acceptance and continue the strong growth of the last years," said van de Kerkhof.

Board members of the industry discussed about 'Digitalization: Innovation Boost for Europe' and this technology with international IT experts from Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks as well as digital experts from PricewaterhouseCoopers.

A top jury of experts in research and development selected the diploma thesis 'Thermosensitive nano-membrane - suitability of the electrospinning process for processing a shape memory polymer based on polyurethane' by Vera Gail, university of applied sciences, Niederrhein (Germany), as the winning project for the Paul Schlack/Wilhelm Albrecht Prize 2019.

Under the leadership of Syngroup Consulting, around 15 young researchers discussed the question at this year's Young Scientist Forum: Quo vadis in research: 'Startups', 'Circular Economy', 'Smart Textiles' - New Challenges in the Traditional Innovation Process?

Lenzing AG, the world's largest and most innovative cellulose fibre manufacturer, is represented as the lead sponsor at the congress with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the leading international auditors, as an important partner for the Dornbirn-GFC 2019.

Under the motto 'Merger of Research and Marketplace Trade Fair', Messe Frankfurt and Dornbirn-GFC want to support companies in the further development of innovative products and processes.

Also this year the Dornbirn-GFC was represented with a booth at the Techtextil and even had the opportunity to hold a Dornbirn-GFC lecture block during the Techtextil Forum, which was very well attended.

Avantex, the hi-tec fabric apparel fair, takes place twice a year in the city of fashion in Paris. 'Fashion and Research links together' is the leitmotif of the cooperation. Hi-tec fabrics and future-oriented topics will be presented to a large audience and the press in Paris - Dornbirn-GFC and the network of the 'Dornbirn-GFC Innovation Community' will support the development of hi-tec products as an idea generator.

EDANA is an association representing over 240 members along the value chain in the nonwovens industry, which represents a revenue dimension of more than $30 billion. EDANA actively supports the Dornbirn-GFC by organising international lectures and supporting the 'Young Scientist Forum'.

For the 59th Dornbirn-GFC Congress in September 2020, the following topics are planned: fibre innovations, circular economy, mobility, apparel, sports and outdoor, additives and surface treatment. (PC)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India