2009 is the International Year of Natural Fibres. In the UK, this International Conference will celebrate and highlight the increasing use of natural fibres, to raise awareness of their diverse properties, and stimulate an increased demand. This two day event will offer an opportunity for natural fibre industries to come together to foster international partnership and increased understanding of the role that natural materials can and must play in ensuring a sustainable future. The conference will focus predominantly on the industrial applications of natural fibres, and include presentations in the broad themed areas below but not limited to these areas. Papers are sought covering:

• Fibre extraction
• Fibre processing
• Industrial applications (e.g. automotive, construction, leisure, healthcare, etc.)
• Bioenergy and the biomass industry
• BioComposites
• Geotextiles
• Biomimetic materials
• Animal fibres
• Marine fibres
• Natural fibres for the Developing World

Call for Papers

If you would like to submit a paper or poster for presentation at this event which fit the above themes, or any aspect of the use of natural fibres, please send an abstract as soon as possible, and no later than 31st March 2009, to Dawn Bonfield at dawn.bonfield@iom3.org, following the guidelines below. Authors of papers and posters presented at the conference will receive a discounted delegate rate.

Who Should Attend
This conference will benefit all groups who have a professional interest in any aspect of the use of natural fibres: industrialists, academics, researchers, the agricultural industry, investors, funding bodies, designers, environmentalists, central and local government.

Contact Information