IFAI Advanced Textiles 2008

IFAI Advanced Textiles 2008, taking place in the cultural hub of Berlin from June 12th to 13th is conceived as a European-US Networking Conference, highlighting major trends and new technologies in the field of technical textiles.

The overall goal is to create new business opportunities between US and European companies that deliver or process technical textiles for various application fields. The unique forum for bilateral talks and meetings shall point the way for prosperous initiatives towards innovation and cross-section activities in both continents by fostering co-operations, strategic partnerships and common projects.

The conference is being supported by major European and US institutions like the US Commercial Service, the major German association IVGT, ESF, the European Safety Association as well as ETT, the European Entrepreneur Club of Technical Textiles, to name only a few. Key note speaker Luis Filipe Girão, Head of Unit, Directorate General Enterprise & Industry, European Commission is opening the conference.

The program is clearly application-oriented and will bring together industry leaders from all over Europe and the US to speak about their issues and requirements. Global players like Lenzing and TenCate, Hollingsworth & Vose as well as small and medium-sized businesses offering special product solutions and technologies are sharing their innovation processes with the audience. This concept will foster prosperous bilateral discussions in Berlin.

The conference topics are:

v     Sustainable product developments for major fabric applications.

v     Nanotechnologies and embedded systems.

v     High-performance textiles for architecture and lightweight structures.

v     Innovative textile applications for advancing protective clothing.

Producers from Europe and the US are dominating the world market of technical textiles. The turnover of both continents amounted to 55.6 billion US$ in 2005 and the average growth rate per year is up to 3.8%. Companies in high-tech sectors in Europe and the US still have the lead when it comes to technical know-how, differentiation and innovation potential.

The IFAI US-European Entrepreneur Networking Conference offers a unique opportunity to build upon the already existing good relationship between partners in both continents and to join forces on the technical challenges of the 21st century. We at IVGT and ETT endorse the idea to run this meeting forum on a regular basis and to further develop it in the future.”

Dr. Isa Hofmann, CEO IHOFMANN and conference organizer: “Despite the growing trend to open innovation and knowledge portals of excellence as well as cross-sectoral interdisciplinary networks personal dialogue and exchange of ideas still remain a key experience in the innovation process. With IFAI Advanced Textiles 08 we like to create a cosmopolitan ambiance of intellectual vigour and enthusiasm for the opportunities offered by new technologies.

We will encourage a drive to cope with the challenges of the future by initiating bilateral encounter between US and European entrepreneur spirits that are heading to take the lead in textile related innovation.

During the 1.5 day symposium the delegates are expected to attain knowledge  in different application areas of hi-tech materials and textiles from intelligent garments towards automotive, health and architecture. Special emphasis will be given to lead markets like protection and environmental issues as well as emerging new technologies.”

Further information: www.ifai.com.