Mr. Matthias W. Gluth, Managing Director Austrian Fibers Institute, Organizer of Dornbirn GFC conference.
Dornbirn GFC:
Idea and Network Generator, a platform for international experience exchange
The Europe-centred innovation platform for the fiber industry and the downstream manufacturing stages is to serve as a generator of ideas and the basis for networking. This is borne out by the growing number of both participants and the countries they represent.
Austrian Fibers Institute:
The annually held Dornbirn-GFC is organized by the Austrian Fibers Institute, located in Vienna.
The Austrian Fibers Institute has been founded in 1960 from Fiber producers and the Austrian textile industry with the aim
- To support the market launch of fibers and products made out of it
- To enable an information an experience exchange between producers, processors of textiles, nonwovens and other applications of man-made fibers
- To get in contact with technical colleges, universities and organisations with a similar target
- The organisation of the Dornbirn-GFC as a platform for an international experience exchange in close cooperation with CIRFS, the European man-made fibers association
Textilesresources.com: You have joined Dornbirn GFC recently in this year, how is your experience so far. What are your achievements on a personal level in regard to the textiles industry and your venture SiamWolves Essentials.
Mr. Matthias Gluth: Joining Dornbirn GFC this year has been a great experience. It’s an exciting but also challenging time for the textile industry, and I see my role as bringing fresh perspectives and new opportunities to the conference. For 2025, we will further diversify our main event by integrating cross-industry perspectives, particularly from pulp & paper and energy. This expansion builds on last year’s successful trial, where we explored these industries’ synergies with textiles.
I have been closely linked to the fiber and textile industry for over 25 years, my background is in engineering, polymers, and fibers. Throughout my career, I have worked across various roles, from technical development to strategic leadership, always with a strong focus on innovation.
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Textilesresources.com: How is the preparation of Dornbirn GFC 2025 conference and what makes it different from the previous editions?
Mr. Matthias Gluth: The preparation for Dornbirn GFC 2025 is progressing well, and we are expanding the conference’s scope while maintaining its core focus on fiber innovation. One of the major changes is our commitment to cross-industry diversification, particularly in integrating pulp & paper and energy into the discussions. This builds on the successful trial last year, where we saw strong synergies with the fiber industry in terms of sustainability and circularity.
For 2025, we have planned four major events globally, strengthening Dornbirn GFC’s position as a key international platform for innovation in the fiber industry:
- Dornbirn GFC ASIA / Korea (April 3-4, 2025, Busan, South Korea) – Organized in collaboration with DYETEC, KOFOTI, and Textile TechForum, this event will focus on fiber innovations in Asia’s rapidly evolving market.
- Kreta 2025 – Internationale Konferenz (May 27-31, 2025, Chania, Greece) – A high-level international conference, organized together with the Technical University of Crete, addressing fiber technology, sustainability, and circular economy themes.
- 64th Dornbirn GFC & 5. Innovation Days (September 10-12, 2025, Dornbirn, Austria) – Our flagship event, bringing together global experts to present cutting-edge research and innovations in fibers and textiles.
- Dornbirn GFC ASIA / India (November 18, 2025, Mumbai, India) – Hosted in partnership with Techtextil India 2025, this event will focus on sustainability and growth opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic textile markets.
Through these events, we are strengthening Dornbirn GFC’s global presence, engaging new industry sectors, and creating year-round opportunities for collaboration and innovation. With a broader cross-industry perspective, Dornbirn GFC 2025 will be bigger, more dynamic, and more relevant than ever before
Textilesresources.com: For the fibers industry globally, how do you see year 2025? What are the challenges and opportunities?
Mr. Matthias Gluth: 2025 will be a pivotal year for the global fiber industry, marked by both challenges and opportunities as the sector continues to navigate sustainability demands, regulatory changes, and technological advancements.
Challenges:
- Economic Pressures & Supply Chain Disruptions – The fiber industry remains sensitive to macroeconomic fluctuations, with inflation, energy costs, and geopolitical tensions affecting raw material availability and pricing.
- Sustainability & Regulatory Compliance – Stricter sustainability regulations, such as the EU Green Deal and extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks, will require companies to adapt quickly. Transparency, traceability, and circularity will be critical.
- Market Fragmentation & Consumer Expectations – The demand for sustainable fibers is growing, but consumers expect affordability, performance, and durability—balancing all three remains a challenge.
- Competition from Alternative Materials – Bio-based alternatives and innovations in wood-based fibers, mycelium, and recycled content are emerging, putting pressure on traditional fiber producers to innovate and adapt.
Opportunities:
- Cross-Industry Synergies – Collaborations with the pulp & paper and energy sectors will open new possibilities for fiber applications, particularly in bio-based innovations, carbon capture, and waste valorization.
- Technological Innovation – Digitalization, AI-driven production efficiency, and advancements in fiber functionalization (e.g., antimicrobial, self-healing, and biodegradable fibers) will shape the future.
- Growth in Circular Business Models – Fiber-to-fiber recycling, closed-loop systems, and enhanced waste recovery solutions will be critical for reducing environmental impact while meeting regulatory and consumer expectations.
- Asia’s Expanding Market – With rapid industrialization and policy shifts towards sustainability in India, China, and South Korea, there are growing opportunities for fiber producers to expand into high-growth markets.
Conclusion:
The industry’s ability to embrace change, drive innovation, and collaborate across sectors will define its success in 2025. Sustainability and digital transformation are no longer optional but necessary for competitiveness. Dornbirn GFC will play a key role in facilitating these discussions and shaping the industry’s future
Textilesresources.com: What are your plans going forward for Dornbirn GFC conference and Austrian Fibers Institute?
Mr. Matthias Gluth: Going forward, our primary focus for Dornbirn GFC and the Austrian Fibers Institute remains on delivering a high-quality platform for innovation, research, and collaboration in the fiber industry. In 2025, we will continue to build on our key initiatives while strategically expanding into cross-industry sectors such as pulp & paper and energy.
Our aim is to strengthen our global presence as we are doing in 2025, with a long-term vision of establishing two major annual events—one in Asia and one in Europe—to ensure consistent industry engagement and knowledge exchange. Our four key events in Korea, Greece, Austria, and India in 2025 mark a significant step toward this goal, creating a year-round platform for innovation, collaboration, and cross-industry dialogue
We will also continue to evolve the conference format, integrating more interactive discussions, startup showcases, and cross-sector collaborations to keep the event dynamic and future-focused.
For the Austrian Fibers Institute, the goal remains to support industry players in navigating challenges such as sustainability regulations, circularity, and technological advancements. We will foster partnerships and provide expertise to help companies adapt to the changing landscape of fiber production and innovation.
Ultimately, our vision is to continue driving innovation within the fiber industry while fostering cross-industry synergies that will create new opportunities for sustainable growth and development
Textilesresources.com: In the current geopolitical issues and other developments, how do you see the textile industry world over in the near future?
Mr. Matthias Gluth: The textile industry is at a turning point. The winners will be those who embrace innovation, adapt to geopolitical shifts, and build resilient, sustainable business models. Companies must think beyond textiles, integrating circular solutions, digital transformation, and cross-industry partnerships to stay ahead. Dornbirn GFC will remain a key platform to facilitate these critical discussions and shape the future of the industry
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