The Conference will showcase the most successful solutions based on cellulose fibres that are currently available on the market.

The main source for the production of staple fibres or filaments such as viscose, lyocell, modal, acetate or other types of cellulose fibres is wood-based chemical pulp. At the same time, new sources such as agricultural wastes and fibres, paper grade pulp and recycled textiles are emerging on a global scale, with a variety of new sources and companies contributing new technologies, processing methods and ideas.

The Cellulose Fibres Conference 2024 (http://www.cellulose-fibres.eu), taking place on 13–14 March 2024 in Cologne, Germany, and online, will address these and other leading issues in the field of cellulose fibres.

Each year, the conference celebrates the latest product and process innovations. The deadline for innovation submission is 15 December 2023.

Innovations can be submitted via cellulose-fibres.eu/award-application.

Finding Sustainable Fibre Sources and Cycles and Building Bridges Between Different Industries

The European Commission has made it a priority for various industries, in particular the textile and single-use products sector, to make a thorough transition towards sustainability and circularity. The production of cellulosic fabrics from agricultural wastes, industrial by-products and textiles is an emerging new source of cellulose based fibres. Green technologies for the extraction of cellulose fibres from spent distillers grains or banknotes show new ways for the industry to move towards more sustainable production and products that brands are looking for.

In recent months, the EU has introduced a series of key policies that aim at shifting investment towards more sustainable economic activities, including new rules on sustainability claims and reporting. The sustainability session of the program will focus on what this means for the industry. LCA of cellulose fibres plays an important role as a basis for green claims. The current status will be presented at the conference.

Cellulose is bio-based and biodegradable, even in marine environments, where its degradation does not produce microplastic. It therefore plays an important role as a substitute for single-use products under the Single-Use Plastic Directive (SUPD). Cellulose fibres are at the forefront of the race to replace single-use plastic products now and in the future. For example, 100 % cellulose based recyclable barrier papers or cellulose foam for packaging, wet wipes or hygiene products.

Bringing Together Key Players Along the Many Cellulose Value Chains and Markets

The man-made cellulosic fibre industry has been undergoing rapid change in response to the growing demand for more sustainable textile fibres. Over the past decade, the industry has witnessed numerous new players entering the market. The 2023 Cellulose Fibres Conference successfully attracted 230 participants from 27 countries, celebrated cellulose innovations and brought together key players from value chains and markets. The Cellulose Fibres Conference 2024 will cover the entire value chain, from lignocellulose, chemical pulp, cellulose fibres such as rayon, viscose, modal or lyocell and new developments to a wide range of applications: textiles made from renewable fibres, nonwovens such as wet wipes, and new areas such as composites, hygiene, packaging or nanocellulose in biodegradable applications. The conference will provide deep insights into the promising future of cellulose fibres, which fits perfectly with the current trends of circular economy, recycling and sustainable carbon cycles.

The nova-Institute would like to thank the key players in the cellulose fibre industry for supporting the conference:  Andritz (AT), Kemira (FI), Lenzing (AT), List Technology (CH) for supporting the conference as Gold Sponsors and Dienes Apparatebau (DE) and Kelheim Fibres (DE) for supporting the event as Bronze Sponsors. The innovation award "Cellulose Fibre Innovation of the Year 2024" is sponsored by GIG Karasek (AT).