More than 700 participants from over 30 nations (80% from Europe, 15% from Asia, 5% from the Americas) will take advantage of the Dornbirn-GFC in order to learn about the latest innovations of the fibre industry and its downstream stages.

The congress, which will take place from 12-14 September in Dornbirn, Austria, will host around 100 expert lectures focusing on fibre innovations, transportation and mobility, recycling – circular economy, energy generation and energy storage, and surface modification and additive technologies.

“The core target for our visitors of the congress is to offer learning, making progress, taking a look into the future and create broad perspectives,” organisers say. “Sebastian Kurz, the Austrian Federal Chancellor, will open this year’s congress with a presentation via a video transmission. We can also look forward to the chancellor’s statements in terms of the Austrian presidency of the Council of the European Union starting in July 2018.”

“Furthermore, we are glad to welcome James Holbery, of Microsoft US, on the issue of How will Smart Textiles change the world and what does Microsoft expect from industry?”

Top-class plenary lectures

As a connoisseur of the automotive industry, Prof Theo Sams, of AVL, a leading independent company for the development of drive systems, will focus on the “relevance and potentials of the fibre industry in the future development of the automotive industry”.

The successful, rapidly growing Canadian brand Lululemon Athletica, represented by Yogendra Dandapure, will provide forward-looking trends and the technology approach for the industry. Yogendra will also take part at the panel discussion Circular Economy.

Edwin Keh, CEO from the international renowned Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel HKRITA, will give a lecture on Circular Economy and also participate at the subsequent panel discussion. HKRITA cooperates closely with big brands like H&M and is also a frequent medallist of the Geneva International Annual Invention Awards.

CEO and expert panels

The board members and CEOs will discuss sustainability and how the big European and Asian fibre producers position themselves to the 3 Ps – Planet, People, Profit. Necat Altin, Zorlu; Stefan Braun, Dralon; Uday Gill, Indorama; Robert van de Kerkhof, Lenzing; and Gunjan Sharma, Reliance; will take part in the panel led by Walter Woitsch, of Syngroup Consulting.

An expert panel on Circular Economy will take place after a highly interesting lecture block. It will be moderated by Anton Schumann, of Gherzi. The participants are Eberhard Brack, Märkische Faser; Peter Bartsch, Lenzing; Michel Chtepa, Seaqual4U; Yogendra Dandapure, Lululemon; Edwin Keh, HKRITA; and Luis Marinheiro, ISWA (International Solid and Waste Association); who will show different approaches to the current topic, strongly promoted by the EU Commission.

Young scientist forum

The topic Digital Age in Research and Development will be discussed in a workshop by young scientists on 11 September, guided by Syngroup Consulting (AUT).

“The subsequent visit of the congress will integrate the next generation into the network of the Dornbirn- GFC Innovation Community. In this respect also, our main focus – learning and looking ahead – is paramount,” organisers say. “The information exchange of the various generations of the sector will enhance the effect.”

www.dornbirn-gfc.com