VIENNA, Austria — August 11, 2025 — As the global fiber and textile industry stands at the crossroads of transformation, the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC) returns September 10–12, 2025, as the leading platform where ideas become innovation.
More than 100 international experts will take the stage in Dornbirn, Austria, to share pioneering solutions in response to the most pressing challenges of our time — from circular economy breakthroughs to decarbonization strategies and next-gen materials.
In a world demanding smarter, cleaner, and faster progress, Dornbirn GFC remains the space where the industry comes to rethink, connect, and move forward.
Dornbirn GFC Innovation Days: From Vision to Market Impact
As part of the 5th Dornbirn GFC Innovation Days, pioneering companies, ambitious start-ups, and leading research institutions from the global fiber industry will showcase breakthrough solutions with real-world relevance.
This year, for the first time, the Dornbirn GFC Innovation Award will be presented – celebrating the most compelling innovation that combines technical ingenuity with successful market application.
“This award is not just about a good idea — it’s about a good idea that makes a difference, shapes industries, and reaches the market,” said Matthias W. Gluth, managing director of the Austrian Fibers Institute.
Dornbirn GFC 2025: Focus on Workwear & Defense – Experts Discuss the Future of Functional Protective Textiles
This year’s Dornbirn GFC puts a spotlight on a key topic: Workwear & Defense. In 16 expert presentations across 4 dedicated sessions, leading professionals from industry, research, and application fields will explore current developments and future requirements for functional textiles used in workwear, protective clothing, and defense applications.
Key topics include technological innovation, sustainability, material performance, and changing regulatory frameworks. The presentations will cover smart textile systems, flame-retardant fibers, textile sensors, and solutions designed for extreme environments.
With this strong thematic focus, Dornbirn GFC 2025 offers a key platform for interdisciplinary exchange on the next generation of safety, protection, and high-performance textiles.
Key players from the industry including Lenzing AG (AUT), XTencate (USA), Textil Santanderina S.A. (SPA), Kermel SAS (FRA), PBI (GER), Klopman – TDV International (GER), XLANCE Srl (ITA), and many others, will be contributing valuable insights into market and innovations.
Pilot Launch of MICRO|FORCE at Dornbirn GFC 2025
The Dornbirn GFC will host the pilot launch of MICRO|FORCE, a global initiative addressing microfiber and microplastic challenges through fact-based dialogue and cross-sector collaboration.
In cooperation with the Technical University of Crete, SCRiBBs, and the TU Wien, MICRO|FORCE connects science, industry, and policy to foster constructive, solution-oriented discussions.
The pilot includes interactive expert workshops and live panels in Dornbirn and GFC Asia, contributing to an educational social media series (YouTube) designed to inform, engage, and inspire change across the textile value chain. By moving beyond fear-based narratives, MICRO|FORCE aims to translate insights into action — driving regulatory alignment and tangible solutions to reduce microfiber pollution.
Among the highlights of this year’s program:
The Dornbirn GFC 2025 will once again serve as the international stage where the world’s leading innovators, researchers, and industry players converge to exchange ideas and drive the transformation of the fiber and textile sector. This year’s program puts an even stronger spotlight on collaborative action, breakthrough innovation, and the shift toward circularity.
- A dedicated REHUBS session showcasing the latest fiber-to-fiber recycling strategies and infrastructure developments across Europe.
- The premiere of the Dornbirn GFC Innovation Award, where selected startups will pitch live to a jury and audienc, spotlighting breakthrough technologies ready to scale.
- The official launch of MICRO|FORCE, a global multi-stakeholder initiative addressing microplastic pollution in fibers, developed in collaboration with Technical University of Crete, TU Wien, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
“Our industry is at a crossroads. The urgency to decarbonize, rethink systems, and deliver scalable circular solutions has never been higher. But as Churchill said, ‘Never let a good crisis go to waste,’” said Robert van de Kerkhof, President of the Austrian Fiber Institute. “At Dornbirn GFC 2025, we’re not just reflecting on the challenges—we’re spotlighting the solutions. This congress is a call to action for those ready to move from intent to impact.”
64th Dornbirn GFC & 5th Innovation Days takes place from September 10–12 in Dornbirn, Austria.
For full program details and registration, visit www.dornbirn-gfc.com.
Posted: August 11, 2025
Source: Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress (GFC)
