Dornbirn-GFC to be held from Sept 12-14, 2018

Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress 2018 (Dornbirn-GFC) presents over 100 lectures of high quality from academic research and industry from September 12-14. Sustainable innovations are the guiding principle of the event. As idea- and network generator Dornbirn-GFC is a basic element in the appointment calendars of about 700 participants from 30 nations worldwide. www.dornbirn-gfc.com

Dornbirn-GFC has developed into a global brand in the last years. In that regard, the internationalisation has been promoted, also natural fibres will be involved in the future, but the European roots will be maintained. A Rebranding will support these efforts. There is a change from Dornbirn-MFC to Dornbirn-GFC.

Dornbirn-GFC has gradually evolved into a global brand and its rising number of participants and international origin reflect its status. Visitors from more than 70 new companies were registered last year. Overall, more than 700 participants from 30 nations visited Dornbirn (80 per cent from Europe, 15 per cent from Asia, 5 per cent from the Americas). In 2018, delegations from Asia and the USA have confirmed their participation.

The European characterised innovation platform for the fibre industry and the various stages of the value chain should act as an idea- and network generator – each participant is part of the success of the event. Help shape the “Dornbirn-GFC Innovation Community” and encourage your business associates to visit the meeting.

The crème de la crème of the fibre industry participates at the congress: top management from the Lead Sponsor Lenzing Group, Indorama and Reliance to other European, Asian and American fibre producers. The board members and CEOs of Indorama Group, Reliance and lead sponsor Lenzing have already confirmed their participation at the leadership panel on the opening day.

Due to the vast interest from industry and trade and the strong support of the EU Commission “Circular Economy” is a focal point this year again. After the highly interesting lecture block on this relevant topic a panel discussion is scheduled. ISWA – International Solid and Waste Association – this association has 4,000 members worldwide, will discuss new approaches with relevant players from the textile value chain.

As a connoisseur of the automotive industry, AVL, the world`s biggest independent company for the development of powertrains, illuminates the relevance and potentials of the fibre industry in the future development of the automotive industry. The successful, booming Canadian brand Lululemon Athletica generates forward-looking future trends for the industry and will also expand the innovation trend in interview sessions. Further renowned brands and retailers will meet at the congress and will take advantage of the network.

Particular emphasis should be placed on the economic region Land Vorarlberg and “the smart city” Dornbirn, which have tremendously supported the congress since its foundation. The cooperation with the federal state Vorarlberg and the Chamber of Commerce Vorarlberg has been expanded in recent years.

Lenzing AG, the associations CIRFS (European Fiber Association) and IVC (German Fiber Association) are the initiators of this annual congress. Lenzing AG, the world`s largest and most innovative cellulose fibre producer – this impressive company with high innovative power will be represented as the lead sponsor of the Congress.

In recent years, various co-operations have been initiated which will be extended in 2018. Dornbirn-GFC collaborates closely with Messe Frankfurt (Avantex, Techtextil, Texworld). Within this synergy research and the market place fair will be reinforced in order to support companies to facilitate the marketing and roll out of innovations.

Dornbirn-GFC is represented on the fairs and symposiums of Messe Frankfurt in Paris, Frankfurt, Mumbai and New York. Likewise the partnership with the fair organised by SALTEX (the community platform for smart textiles, composites and its industrial automatisation on the exhibition grounds in Dornbirn) will be intensified.

As a content- and community platform for innovative composites and intelligent textile structures, SALTEX links the entire value chain and creates fertile ground for the innovations of the future. Combining the top-level Smart Textiles Symposium with a trade exhibition creates the ideal framework for personal encounters and professional discussions.
Long-time co-operations with associations and organisations will be increasingly involved. EDANA supports Dornbirn-GFC actively in organisation of international, high-quality lectures from the nonwovens industry and is also an active co-organiser of workshops.

The certified Dornbirn-GFC continues  as green meeting and green event and its criteria will be based on sustainable arrival of people and eco-friendly accommodations, reduction of CO2 (carbon dioxide), ecological catering, as well as material – and waste management.

Dornbirn-GFC information will also be distributed on diverse social media channels: A congress page has been issued on LinkedIn/Dornbirn-GFC and on Facebook/Dornbirn-GFC. At regular intervals these pages will be completed with “up to the minute” news and pictures. Please also use our social media channels to get properly informed around Dornbirn-GFC and share our Dornbirn-GFC publications with your contacts to expand the network digitally.

Further, you will find current information in terms of the Dornbirn-GFC on Instagram/@dornbirn-gfc