The high-ranking international field of participants was complemented by national scientists and early-career researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics (Halle/Saale), the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research (IPF, Dresden), the University of Applied Sciences Leipzig (HTWK, Leipzig) and the University of Applied Sciences Dresden (HTW, Dresden).

The approximately 30 participants dealt with scientific topics along the entire production and process chain of carbon fibers. The speakers came from different fields relevant to carbon fiber research, such as (bio)chemistry, physics, materials science, process engineering, lightweight engineering or textile technology, so that a mutual, in-depth understanding of the respective core research areas could be achieved.

In addition to the main topic of the development of sustainable / renewable carbon fibers, this year's focus was also on multifunctional carbon fibers, for example with sensory or energy-storing properties, for individual applications in a wide range of industries and sectors. Over two days, the participating researchers were able to exchange the latest findings of cutting-edge research in this field in three consecutive sessions on 1) "Precursor fibers from renewable/alternative raw material sources", 2) "Processing/thermal conversion/structure-property relationships of carbon fibers" and 3) "Analytics, sizing systems and application scenarios for carbon fibers" as well as a separate discussion round on the development of lignin-based carbon fibers and discuss the future, in particular the future application areas, of this lightweight material.

Carbon fibers are a high-performance material whose importance and influence on industrial progress will increase enormously in the future. Especially with regard to global, continental and national climate goals, carbon fibers can develop into a key material. At most composite and textile conferences, however, this field of research is only dealt with marginally and with a few individual presentations. In order to close this gap, the Research Center Carbon Fibers Saxony (RCCF), a joint initiative of the Institutes of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) and of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) at TU Dresden, is organizing the Dresden International Colloquium on Tailored Carbon Fibers.