To mark the International Year of Natural Fibres, Messe Frankfurt will hold a Natural Fibre Congress during Techtextil, International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens, in Frankfurt from 16 to 18 June 2009.

The aim of the congress is, inter-alia, to bring natural fibres into closer contact with technical applications and to show trade visitors the benefits of natural fibres for the technical-textiles sector. Anyone wanting to contribute to the Natural Fibres Congress on 17 and 18 June is cordially invited to submit a lecture proposal. The closing date for receipt of proposals is 27 February 2009.

The focus of the congress will be on the function of natural fibres and obtaining new knowledge about their innovative use in areas of application such as mobility and architecture and construction, and thus generate new impulses for the use of natural fibres in the technical field.

To submit lecture proposals, potential speakers must register beforehand at www.naturalfibres.abstract-management.de/ . All proposals must be submitted in English.

Technical textiles can be used in all fields and the potential of natural fibres in combination with technical textiles opens up completely new horizons for this market.

Another important aim of the congress is to bring together experts who work on the development of new products. In this connection, the focus is on three subject areas:

1. Construction Applications:

Textiles, nonwovens, textile-based materials and technologies made of / with natural fibres for all Textiles,  types of architecture, construction, civil engineering; Trends; Visions

2. Innovative Functions:

New textiles, nonwovens, textile-based materials and technologies made of / with natural fibres for e.g. garments with additional or new functions (innovative apparel textiles), outdoor equipment, protective and medical clothing and equipment; Trends; Visions

3. Mobility Applications:

New textiles, nonwovens, textile-based materials and technologies made of / with natural fibres for e.g. the automotive industry, aircrafts, ships; Trends; Visions

The lectures will be held at the Congress Centre Messe Frankfurt during the morning of 17 June and during the morning and afternoon of 18 June.