09/10/2024 – Final report — auf Deutsch lesen
Seminal topics at 63rd Dornbirn GFC
textile network visited the 63rd Dornbirn GFC, the platform for innovations in the fiber and textile industry, in September to get an idea of the latest developments in the textile industry and to find out what is currently moving the industry in a direct exchange with the participants.
The 63rd Global Fiber Congress in Dornbirn provided a unique forum for industry experts, innovators and researchers to exchange ideas and drive the future of fibers and textiles. © Dornbirn GFC
Visitors were able to discover the latest advances in industry and research at the exhibiting institutes and companies. © Dornbirn GFC
The 63rd Global Fiber Congress (GFC), which took place in Dornbirn, Austria, from September 11 to 13, 2024, attracted over 500 visitors from 31 countries and representatives from over 260 companies. The countries represented included Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey and the USA.
In three parallel sessions, over 125 presentations were given on important topics such as energy innovations, drivers for the industry, the EU textile strategy, fiber innovations, circular economy, recycling, sustainability, and combating greenwashing. The new focus areas for 2024 included a cross-industry session with experts from the paper and packaging industry and presentations on energy solutions, at the end an exciting discussion broke out between the speakers and the audience.
This year's Innovation Days saw 25 up-and-coming companies present their ground-breaking innovations, giving attendees an insight into the future of fiber and textile technologies. In addition, an exhibition area with 22 exhibiting institutes and companies offered participants the opportunity to explore the latest advances in industry and research.
We have captured our impressions of the 63rd GFC Dornbirn in pictures. Click here for the picture gallery.
Looking ahead to 2025 and 2026
Matthias W. Gluth, Managing Director of the Austrian Fiber Institute, gave an outlook on the GFC events in the next two years. The 8th International Conference on the Management of Industrial and Hazardous Waste, from May 27 to 31, 2025 in Chania, Crete, will address critical waste management issues, with a particular focus on recovery processes that contribute to a more sustainable future.
There are also plans to introduce the GFC to the Asian region. In November 2025, the event will take place in Mumbai in collaboration with TechTextil India and Messe Frankfurt. With the GFC in April 2026 in Thailand, Bangkok, the congress will further consolidate its presence in Asia.
The 64th GFC in Dornbirn will take place from September 10 to 12, 2025 with an expanded focus on areas such as biopolymers, natural fibers, and AI-driven solutions.
