Highlights of the Cellulose Fibres Conference 2025
From 1960 to 2020, the demand for textiles increased by 460% and the demand for textiles containing fibres has grown from 20 to 130 million tonnes in the past 65 years. Whereas 95% of textiles initially had a natural origin and were biodegradable, the significant increase in demand could only be covered by synthetic fibres. However, these new fibres are associated with major challenges for our environment: large quantities of microplastics, often non-biodegradable, lots of fossil raw materials required for production. One solution to this problem could be the use of cellulose fibres. They are bio-based and also biodegradable and can be produced in large quantities. The importance and, above all, the diversity of these man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCFs) was the topic of the Cellulose Fibres Conference 2025. Technologies for the production and recycling of the fibres were presented to the audience in many exciting presentations. A particular highlight was the session on biosynthetic fibres, bio-based polymer fibres. These fibres offer great potential for reducing GHG emissions, while at the same time gaining functionality and being highly recyclable.
Another highlight was of course the presentation of the Innovation Award ‘Cellulose Fibre Innovation of the Year 2025’. All six nominees for the award had the opportunity to present themselves to the conference participants in short pitches before the election. The winner is the German company SA-Dynamics with its Cellulose Aerogel Textiles, a next-generation insulation material.
