[pageLogInLogOut]

#Yarn & Fiber

DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award 2024

For the eighth time since 2017, the Discover Natural Fibre Initiative is inviting entries for the ‘DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award’. The purpose of the DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award is to raise awareness of exciting work involving natural fibres, and to help raise the profiles of leading researchers so as to enhance opportunities for commercial application of such work.


DNFI Award 2024

The DNFI Award 2024 will be judged in three categories: Innovative products/components or applications, innovative processes/procedures, research and science. The evaluation criteria are: outstanding scientific work and technical feasibility, the extent of improvement or effectiveness of the innovation compared to existing products or processes in which the innovative product or process has been implemented and the potential for opening up new markets or sectors for products made from natural fibres.

The purposes of the award are to raise awareness of exciting innovation involving natural fibres, to raise the profiles of leading researchers and to facilitate opportunities for commercial application of their work. The DNFI Award 2024 is sponsored by the International Textile Manufacturing Federation (ITMF.org).

Submissions for the DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award 2024 will be accepted until 30th September 2024, and the award winner will be announced in October. The winner will be officially recognized during a ceremony in January 2025 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Judging Procedures:

A sub-committee of DNFI members from production, and academia will choose the award winner. The results of the judging shall be final and their will be no option to challenge their decision.

Awards will be judged in three categories:

• Innovative products/components or applications

• Innovative processes/procedures

• Research and science

Evaluation criteria are:

• Outstanding scientific work and technical feasibility

• Level of improvement of the innovation over existing products or processes

• Degree to which the innovative product or process has been implemented

• Potential for opening new outlets, markets or sectors for products made of natural fibres

Deadline:

Closing date for applications is 30th September 2024. The winners will be announced in October 2024.

The winner will be recognized by press release and announcement at the plenary meetings of DNFI members. The final date and the place for Award Ceremony will be announced before the end of the year.

Application Templates:

Forms for the application are available for download on the DNFI web site. https://dnfi.org/award

Candidates should send the submission form to DNFI, e-mail: Secretariat@DNFI.org

Intellectual Property Rights:

DNFI claims no rights and makes no effort to gain advantage of any kind over the intellectual property represented in applications for the annual DNFI Award for Innovation in Natural Fibres.

A list of all previous winners is available on the DNFI web site. https://dnfi.org/category/award





More News from Discover Natural Fibres Initiative (DNFI)

More News on Yarn & Fiber

#Man-Made Fibers

Indorama Ventures supports Southeast Asia’s textile customers with reliable regional supply and global innovative portfolio

Indorama Ventures, one of the leading global polyester fiber and filament yarn suppliers globally, will participate in Indo Intertex 2026 in Jakarta this April, making its diverse global portfolio available to apparel, home textile, and hygiene customers across Southeast Asia.

#Yarns

Yarn Expo Spring 2026 concludes, connecting buyers with innovative selection of sustainable yarns and fibres

Yarn Expo Spring 2026 wrapped up successfully on 13 March, as a record-high of over 600 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions welcomed more than 25,000 visitors from 113 countries and regions. Held across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2 of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the fair highlighted the textile industry’s accelerating shift toward a lower-impact, more functional future. Exhibitors presented eco-friendly organic, regenerated and recycled yarns and fibres, alongside innovative options such as sweat-resistant and high-performance materials. A comprehensive fringe programme further enriched the event, offering practical market insights and new networking opportunities.

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing advances its transformation: Higher EBITDA, stronger free cash flow and more than EUR 200 million in cost savings

The business performance of the Lenzing Group in 2025 was affected particularly in the second half of the year by external factors such as international tariff measures, subdued demand and declining market prices. As a result, revenue decreased slightly by 2.3 percent to EUR 2.6 billion, primarily due to lower fiber sales volumes and lower prices for fibers and pulp, which were further negatively impacted by currency developments. Nevertheless, thanks to the comprehensive Performance Program, Lenzing was able to improve its operating performance and key financial indicators compared with the previous year.

#Man-Made Fibers

“Lead Transformation – Generate Impact”: Lenzing presents its 2025 Annual and Sustainability Report

The Lenzing Group has published its 2025 Annual and Sustainability Report, entitled LEAD TRANSFORMATION – GENERATE IMPACT. The report shows how Lenzing is actively shaping change in the industry and making a lasting impact: economically, ecologically, and socially. Lenzing is consistently focused on the future: with targeted investments in premiumization, excellence, innovation, and sustainability, the company is strengthening its position as a leading provider of sustainable, cellulose-based premium fibers. The combined report is available in digital format.

Latest News

#INDEX 2026

STFI highlights textile circular economy and alternative fibres at INDEX™ 2026

From 19 to 22 May 2026, INDEX will invite visitors to Lake Geneva for the world's leading nonwovens trade fair. The Centre of Excellence in Nonwovens at the Sächsisches Textilforschung- sinstitut e.V. (STFI) will be in attendance to present the latest developments in nonwovens research. In the field of the textile circular economy, the STFI will present acoustically effective nonwovens made from chemical recycling residues. The range also includes innovations aimed at replacing conventional raw materials, such as the biobased and biodegradable polymer polybutylene succinate (PBS) and Kendyr as an alternative to cotton.

#Associations

Italian textile machinery sector faces weak start to 2026 despite domestic growth

In the first quarter of 2026, order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers recorded a decrease of 5% compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting a still challenging start to the year. The decline affected foreign markets (-7%), while the domestic market showed growth (+21%).

#Nonwovens

Temafa Maschinenfabrik GmbH supplies a complete decortication plant for processing hemp straw to Hanffaser Geiseltal eG

Temafa Maschinenfabrik GmbH, a leading supplier of machinery and plants for fibre processing, has successfully secured an order to supply a complete plant for processing hemp straw to Hanffaser Geiseltal eG, based in Mücheln.

#Techtextil 2026

FET’s revolutionary gel spinning system wins Techtextil Innovation Award

FET has received the prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.

TOP