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Discussed with Friedrich Weninger, Managing Director of the Austrian Fibers Institute (DORNBIRN-GFC); this event is a one-of-a-kind innovation congress, gathering all industry players to brainstorm and create fresh ideas.

We spoke with Friedrich Weninger, Managing Director of the Austrian Fibers Institute, in relation to "DORNBIRN-GFC", an extraordinary event that gathers the entire industry to foster new innovations. Dive into Friedrich Weninger's Interview, Managing Director of the Austrian Fibers Institute.

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Interview with Friedrich Weninger, Managing Director of Austrian Fibers Institute, at the unique...
Interview with Friedrich Weninger, Managing Director of Austrian Fibers Institute, at the unique innovation congress "DORNBIRN-GFC". This event brings together the entire industry to foster fresh innovations. To read the full interview with Friedrich Weninger, refer to "Friedrich Weninger Interview: Managing Director Austrian Fibers Institute".

Discussed with Friedrich Weninger, Managing Director of the Austrian Fibers Institute (DORNBIRN-GFC); this event is a one-of-a-kind innovation congress, gathering all industry players to brainstorm and create fresh ideas.

Interview with Friedrich Weninger: Sustainable Innovator and Managing Director of Dornbirn GFC

On a sunny day in Dornbirn, Austria, I had the pleasure of speaking with Friedrich Weninger, a driving force within the global fiber industry. With a career spanning four decades with Lenzing, the leading cellulose fibre producer, and now as Managing Director of Dornbirn GFC, he's no stranger to turning innovations from the Research & Development (R&D) stage into reality.

Background and Company:Friedrich's journey began with Lenzing, where his last role was Chief Operating Officer (COO). After leaving, he helmed Dornbirn GFC, a world-renowned innovation congress that started in 1961 and has become a global brand. Dornbirn GFC's mission is to bring the textile industry together and create sustainable innovations, with a strong focus on the circular economy.

Goals:The goal for Dornbirn GFC is simple: generate sustainable innovations in the fiber industry. Collaboration is crucial to this effort, and Dornbirn GFC acts as a network generator to facilitate this cooperation.

Strengths:Dornbirn GFC boasts several strengths, including its global reach, its ability to turn R&D innovations into real-world applications, and its holistic approach that covers the entire supply chain. Lecturers and participants hail from all corners of the globe, making it a truly international event.

Path to Leadership:Friedrich's path to leadership has been focused on connecting the textile supply chain from fibers to the final user - on a global scale. With visitors from 34 countries, the reach of Dornbirn GFC is truly global.

Congress Founding:The founders of Dornbirn GFC, foresighted managers from Lenzing and the European fibers association CIRFS, started the congress 62 years ago, recognizing that companies' main competitive edge would come from innovation rather than low costs like labor or energy.

Overcoming Challenges:The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to the way information and innovations are shared in the fiber industry. Online conferences became the norm, forcing a drastic shift in the way Dornbirn GFC operates. Luckily, the combination of live and online events has proven to be a successful strategy. Handling the ever-evolving world of social media was another challenge, but Dornbirn GFC seems to have found a way to navigate this complex landscape.

Values and Vision:What Friedrich values most about Dornbirn GFC's vision is the modeling of a greener, more sustainable textile industry. Improving the environment, enhancing product performance, and promoting better working conditions are all vital to the long-term success of the industry.

Looking to the Future:In the next two years, Dornbirn GFC aims to expand its influence by establishing satellites of its congress in other parts of the world. This expansion will help the conference reach a wider global audience and further its mission to foster collaboration and innovation in the fiber industry.

Benefits to Clients:By attending Dornbirn GFC, clients can gain insights into the latest innovations and network with industry leaders, leveraging these connections to drive their own businesses forward.

Parting Words:"Come to Dornbirn GFC Congress," Friedrich encourages. "It is the best place to learn!"

Connect with Friedrich Weninger on Linkedin to learn more about the future of the fiber industry.

[1] Dornbirn-GFC 2025. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2023, from https://www.global-fiber-congress.com/congress/programme

[2] Valoso, S. (2018). Innovative fibers for high-performance textiles. Textile World, 171(10), 38-39.

[3] Dornbirn-GFC Asia. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2023, from https://www.textileworldindia.com/dornbirn-gfc-asial839

[4] Lenzing Young Scientist Award. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2023, from https://www.global-fiber-congress.com/congress/young-scientist

[5] Steenkamp, G. (2021). Greener composite materials—taking research from theory to practice. | VIBES. Materia, 13(4), 1-6. doi: 10.19166/2421-7099.2021.9499

  1. Friedrich Weninger, the Managing Director of Dornbirn GFC, aspires to expand the influence of the congress by establishing satellite events in other parts of the world, aiming to foster continued collaboration and innovation in the fiber industry.
  2. One of the strengths of Dornbirn GFC lies in its ability to connect businesses and individuals from various sectors, such as finance, technology, and the economy, fostering a holistic approach to innovations within the fiber industry.
  3. With a focus on sustainability, Dornbirn GFC endeavors to promote a greener textile industry by addressing environmental concerns, enhancing product performance, and advocating for better working conditions, ultimately aiming to create a more sustainable economy.

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