57. The Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (Dornbirn-GFC) will take place in Austria on 12-14 September 2018. The goal of the congress will be to improve the learning, progress, look into the future and create broad perspectives.
“DORNBIRN-GFC is the world’s best place to start learning,” said the Dornbirn Company’s CEO, the world’s largest fiber producer.
To obtain this goal again this year approx one 100 expert lectures will focus on the following main topics:
- Fiber Innovations
- Transportation und Mobility
- Recycling – Circular Economy
- Energy Generation and Energy Storage
- Surface Modification and Additive Technologies
More than 700 participants from over 30 nations (80 % from Europe, 15 % from Asia,5 % from the Americas) take advantage of the Dornbirn-GFC in order to learn about the latest innovations of the fiber industry and its downstream stages.
Top-class Plenary Lectures on the Opening Day
Sebastian Kurz, the Austrian Federal Chancellor, could be won to open this year`s congress. He will give his presentation via a video transmission.
James Holbery, the US worker of Microsoft, will inform visitors about “Smart Textiles will change the world and what is expected from the industry.”
As a connoisseur of the automotive industry, Prof. Theo Sams from AVL, the world`s biggest independent company for the development of drive systems, will illuminate the “relevance and potentials of the fiber industry in the future development of the automotive industry.“
Edwin Keh, CEO from the international renowned Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel HKRITA, will give a lecture on “Circular Economy“ and also participate at the subsequent panel discussion. HKRITA cooperates closely with the big brands like H&M and is also a frequent medalist of the “Geneva International Annual Invention Awards.“
CEO Panel on the Opening Day
The board members and CEOs will discuss on sustainability and how the big European and Asian fiber producers position themselves to the “3 Ps – Planet, People, Profit”.
Expert Panel “Circular Economy“
After the highly interesting lecture block a panel discussion will take place: “Circular Economy – What an Opportunity!“ moderated by Anton Schumann/ Gherzi.
The participants Eberhard Brack/Märkische Faser, Peter Bartsch/Lenzing, Michel Chtepa/Seaqual4U, Yogendra Dandapure/Lululemon, Edwin Keh/HKRITA, Luis Marinheiro/ISWA (International Solid and Waste Association) will show approaches to the current topic, strongly promoted by the EU Commission.
Young Scientist Forum
The topic “Digital Age in Research and Development“ will be deepened in a workshop by young scientists on September 11, 2018 guided by Syngroup Consulting (AUT).
The subsequent visit of the congress will integrate the next generation into the network of the “Dornbirn- GFC Innovation Community“. In this respect also, Congress’s focus “learning and looking ahead“ is paramount. The information exchange of the various generations of the sector will enhance the effect.
Cooperation with Smart Textiles Symposium, 12-13 September 2018, Dornbirn Messezentrum (AUT)
This symposium will offer top-class lectures on ”Smart Textiles“ and the participants of the symposium will be cordially invited to the opening of the Dornbirn-GFC Congress and to the network evening within the course of the meanwhile legendary “Mayoress Evening“.
Sponsors as the key elements of the success of the Dornbirn-GFC
Particular emphasis should be placed on the economic region Land Vorarlberg and the “smart city“ Dornbirn which have tremendously supported the congress since its foundation. The cooperation with the federal state Vorarlberg and the Chamber of Commerce Vorarlberg has been expanded in recent years.
Lenzing AG, the associations CIRFS (European Fiber Association) and IVC (German Fiber Association) are the initiators of this annual congress.
Lenzing AG, the world`s largest and most innovative cellulose fiber producer – this impressive company with high innovative power will be presented as “the“ lead sponsor of the congress.