Five finalists were selected from a large number of international applications by an expert jury. The voting period will end on 30th of September. The voting for the DNFI-Award is different to the usual procedures as it is an international open process.

The finalists (in alphabetic order) are:

 Cloppenburg, Frederik, M.Sc., Head of Research Group Nonwoven Technology, and Ramaswamy, Sangeetha, Dr., Institute für Textilechnik (ITA) der RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany: “System4Green – Methodology for development of products with renewable raw materials.”

 Popzyk, Marie-Isabel, Dipl.-Ing., Scientific Assistant, Institute für Textilechnik (ITA) der RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany and Klein, Roland, Dr., Group Manager Design of Interfaces, Fraunhofer-Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF, Darmstadt, Germany: “Reduction of the moisture absorption of natural fibers and production of no-twist yarns for use in structural components.”

 Thouvay, Stéphane, Managing Director Product Management & Innovation, Südwolle Group, Schwaig, Germany: “Naturetexx®Plasma: making wool machine-washable without chlorine – just plasma and air.”

  Wonneberger, Maik, Employee research and development, INVENT GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany and Thiele, Elke; Helbig, Reinhard, Falck, Corinna; and Thielemann, Günther; Saxon textile research institute, Chemnitz, Germany: “Biogenic Heavy Tows Based on Hemp Bast Bark.”

 Wuzella, Günter, Dipl.-Ing. Dr., Research team Green Composites, W3C, Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH: “Innovation in Renewable energy – Rotor blades from hemp-based composites.”

The Chair of DNFI, Terry Townsend, former Executive Director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee, noted that many submissions were of exceptional quality. He said that choosing the five finalists had been a very difficult process, and he thanked all the scientists and engineers who had made submissions. The winner will be announced in the first week of October. A number of international associations and conferences have also applied for the hosting of the award ceremony.

After the registration of the email-address everyone interested in natural fibres can vote for one of the finalists. VOTING