Best practice examples on Trend Management and Open Innovation: Kelheim Fibres at the Global Fiber Congress 2022 in Dornbirn


Shorter product life cycles and rapid technological progress are changing our product landscape at an everfaster pace. The ability to anticipate future changes and to proactively shape the change instead of running to keep up with it is therefore an increasingly decisive competitive factor for modern companies.
Trends are considered to be important indicators of impending change.

Kelheim Fibres, the world’s leading manufacturer of viscose speciality fibres, stands out in the industry not least for its innovative strength, as evidenced by  numerous awards such as the Techtextil Innovation Award 2022 in the “New Concept” category. At this year’s Global Fiber Congress Dornbirn, Innovation Manager Ilka Kaczmarek will give an insight into the innovation management of the Bavarian fibre experts in her presentation “Trend Management meets Open Innovation: Best Practice Examples from Kelheim”. Ilka Kaczmarek will show how successful product solutions were developed in a short time by focusing on
customer needs and working closely with partners along the value chain.

Natalie Wunder, Project Manager at Kelheim Fibres, will explain one of these examples in detail in her presentation “Development of Menstruation Pants using Speciality Viscose Fibres”. Based on the current trend and the desire of end customers for reusable products, Kelheim Fibres was able to develop a washable
and thus reusable, yet biobased solution for feminine hygiene products.

In addition to the presentations, the Kelheim Fibres team is also looking forward to exchange ideas and inspirations at their information stand at the Dornbirn GFC