#Yarn & Fiber

2020-01-09

The world's first conference on cellulose fibres will take place in Cologne

The global cellulose fibre market is one of the fastest-growing markets altogether, with an annual growth rate of almost 10%. Experts estimate that sales will exceed 50 billion dollars in 2025. The increasing demand for environmentally friendly and biodegradable fibres for textiles, hygiene products and plastic substitutes in packaging are the most important drivers for the growth. In this context, political regulations, which aim to drastically reduce the discharge of microplastics into the environment, play an important role.

The focus is on markets, technologies and sustainability

In order to be able to meet the constantly growing demand, large investments in wood-based biorefineries are currently undertaken. This is particularly visible in Asia and Northern Europe, where other wood chemistry products are manufactured in addition to cellulose fibres. This ensures that all components of the wood are used. Increasingly, alternative raw material sources are being used as well, such as used textiles, waste wood, agricultural industry residues and waste water, which often still contains cellulose. Utilising such alternative sources, the ecological footprint of cellulose fibres can be even further reduced.

Michael Carus, Managing Director of nova-Institute in Hürth near Cologne, was astonished by the fact that this promising area had not yet its own conference: “Every other area that is growing fast, has a huge number of new technologies and constantly attracts new players, usually has its own global conference. We need to fill this gap quickly. Thus, at the beginning of 2019, the idea was born to hold the “1st International Conference on Cellulose Fibres” in Cologne. We are looking forward to the premiere on 11 and 12 February 2020, which will bring together the world's most important producers and players.”

With 30 presentations, the programme covers the entire range of topics: markets & politics, sustainability and circularity, new production technologies, alternative raw materials and applications in the fields of textiles, hygiene products, biocomposites and food (nanocellulose). The focus is also always on applications in which plastics can be replaced by cellulose fibres.

Leading companies such as Lenzing (Austria), Sateri (China), Aditya Birla (India), Södra (Sweden), Metsä Fibre (Finland) and Kelheim Fibres (Germany) will present their latest technological developments, new properties and applications. Furthermore, life cycle assessments and concepts for the extraction of cellulose fibres from alternative raw material sources will be presented, whereby the fibres can be reintegrated into the circular economy to be used again. In this context, auxiliary materials (Bozzetto (Italy)) and equipment (Levaco Chemicals (Germany)) are also included in the ecological optimisations. The market leaders in the industry are joined by numerous start-ups and leading research institutes from Denmark, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the USA.

Sustainability will be highlighted by two sessions and a panel discussion, in which users, certifiers and environmental groups will participate. Particularly the environmental activists of Canopy (Canada) have set themselves the goal of developing corporate solutions that protect the last natural forests. 750 companies have already joined this goal. Together with ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification, Germany), Textile Exchange (Germany/USA) and textile customers like Esprit (Germany/Hong Kong), exciting discussions are to be expected.

An additional thematic focus is the biodegradability of cellulose fibres. This topic is of particular importance because microfibres inevitably enter the waste water during the washing of textiles. Furthermore, various disposable plastic products that can be partially substituted by cellulose fibres will be banned from 2021. There will be interesting scientific presentations on these topics from the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences (Germany) and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego (USA), among others.

Sateri (China), Lenzing (Austria) and Bozzetto (Italy) will support the conference as gold sponsors. In addition, LEVACO Chemical (Germany) will be involved as a silver sponsor and NC Partnering (Finland) and Stora Enso (Finland/Sweden) as bronze sponsors.

Premium partner of the conference is the environmental activist group Canopy (Canada). Other well-known partners of the conference are BCNP Consultants (Germany), C.A.R.M.E.N. (Germany), CLIB (Germany), the Institute of Textile Technology (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University (Germany), PEFC International (Switzerland/Germany), Textile Exchange (Germany/USA), The Fibre Year Consulting (Switzerland) and the World Bioeconomy Forum (Finland).

Nova-Institute expects 200 to 300 participants and 30 exhibitors from all over the world. In addition, a large number of different industries such as textiles, hygiene and packaging will participate in the conference.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.