#Yarn & Fiber

2024-08-08

63rd Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress & 4th Innovation Days discuss key industry issues in September

The 63rd Dornbirn GFC 2024 is all about the energy transition and presents innovative solutions for the textile industry. The presentations on energy solutions during the three-day congress will begin with a plenary lecture on the opening day.

Dornbirn GFC is an important meeting place of the textile industry © 2024 Dornbirn GFC

The energy transition: a burden for the industry or an opportunity for energy innovation?

Rudolf Zauner, VERBUND AG - expert for renewable energies will start the opening day of the Dorbirn GFC with a plenary lecture on this question. With further decarbonization, the transition from fossil fuels to carbon-free and renewable energy sources, energy innovations and sector coupling for advanced and systemic solutions are moving into focus. Rudolf Zauner presents innovative energy solutions from Verbund AG and discusses what can be achieved when the worlds of industry, energy suppliers and start-ups meet and how the competitiveness of industry can be maintained. Franz Zöchbauer, Verbund AG,

on participating in the Dornbirn GFC: "As a leading company in energy technology, we are aware of the importance of innovation and sustainability in the global textile industry. By supporting this congress, we are investing in the future of fiber innovation, which is in line with our own ambitions to promote ecologically sustainable and energy-efficient solutions."

Energy solutions: These innovations are an important step towards a sustainable future:

On Friday, September 13, the topic of energy solutions will be explored in greater depth in a block of presentations in Hall C in collaboration with the Institute of Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen University and its industry partners. The planned session will highlight the intersection of nature, technology and sustainability. Prof. Thomas Gries (Director of the ITA): "These innovations are an important step towards a sustainable future. By integrating natural principles and advanced technologies, we can tackle some of the most pressing energy issues of our time." Details of the presentations are listed in the main program: www.dornbirn-gfc.com

The European policy and regulatory landscape for the textile industry has changed fundamentally!

The Dornbirn GFC also offers its visitors up-to-date information on the EU's plans for new regulations and provisions for the fiber industry. Cornelia Mohor from the European Commission will be a plenary speaker at the Dornbirn GFC on Wednesday, September 11, to provide information on this topic: "A package of EU policies and upcoming regulations is redefining how textile products are manufactured, sold and consumed in the EU. A review of the EU regulation on textile labeling has been initiated. Textile fibers and fiber innovations are an important topic in this planned review".

Update on the Dornbirn GFC 2024:

Visitors can look forward to 125 specialist presentations over three days of the congress. In 2024, the classification of the presentations has been revised so that even more specialist areas in the field of fiber innovations are now covered: Biopoymers, Biomaterials, High Performance and Technologies, Natural Fibers, Surface Treatment, Raw Materials, Nonwovens and Circular Economy and Recycling.

The support of new sponsors offers the Dornbirn GFC additional opportunities to expand the range of products and services on offer to visitors and to maintain the international platform for the future. Thanks go to the following companies: Verbund AG, Vienna (AUT), Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG, Hanau (GER) and MP Corporate Finance GbmH, Vienna (AUT). Matthias W. Gluth: "The current booking situation shows us that visitor interest in the Dornbirn GFC is unbroken. We greatly appreciate this, especially in view of the current difficult economic situation. Special thanks also go to all the speakers, whose expertise and high quality standards create the basis for an outstanding congress."

Combined ticket:

Dornbirn GFC, Kulturhaus, Dornbirn from September 11 - 13, 2024 Dornbirn GFC online on demand from September 16 - 30, 2024 (presentations as video and the presentations for download as pfd file)

Information + main program: www.dornbirn-gfc.com

GFC Dornbirn 2025: From carbon to circular - join the transformation

The Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC) returns from September 10–12, 2025, bringing together over 100 expert speakers, leading innovators, and global stakeholders for a focused and energizing program in Dornbirn, Austria. As global challenges mount—from decarbonization pressures to shifting markets—this year’s congress reaffirms its role as a key platform for forward-looking solutions and collaborative progress.

Pre-programme Rreleased: Dornbirn-GFC 2025 unveils key topics and international highlights

The wait is over – the pre-programme for the 64th Dornbirn-GFC is now available online, setting the stage for one of the most important global events in fiber innovation and textile research. The 2025 congress will take place from September 10–12 in Dornbirn, Austria, and promises more than 100 expert lectures from industry, academia, and research institutes, presented in parallel across three lecture halls.

Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress 2025 issues call for innovative papers

The Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC) has announced an open call for papers, inviting researchers, industry experts, and manufacturers from around the world to submit groundbreaking ideas for its 64th annual event. Scheduled for September 10-12, 2025, in Dornbirn, Austria, the congress will serve as a dynamic platform for showcasing advancements poised to shape the fiber and textile industries’ future.

The textile industry in transition

Recycling, traceability, eco-design and digitalisation are among the key future challenges facing the European textile industry. The Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity, involving 21 partners from twelve countries, is investigating the skills required to address these challenges. As the German industry partner, the Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles (IVGT) is bringing the industry’s perspective to the project.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

"We will become a recycling powerhouse"

The textile industry is now in its fourth consecutive year of crisis, while automation, artificial intelligence and recycling are reshaping the rules of the game. In this interview, Rieter CEO Thomas Oetterli discusses the first signs of a market recovery, reflects on his first three years at the helm of the company, explains the integration of Barmag, outlines Rieter’s vision of the fully automated spinning mill and highlights the strategic importance of recycling. In doing so, he explains why the new Rieter Group aims to play a leading role in transforming the textile value chain into a circular economy.

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.