The Discover Natural Fibre Initiative (DNFI) was created in January 2010 as an outgrowth of the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, which had been declared by the United Nations General Assembly. The purposes of DNFI are to advance the interests of all natural fibre industries and to encourage increased use of natural fibres in the world economy. DNFI is a voluntary association of individuals and organizations with interests in promoting natural fibres through collaboration, consultation and cooperation.
The Organization (www.dnfi.org) works to further the interests of natural fibres by serving as a platform for information exchange, by providing statistics on fibre production and use, and by working to raise awareness of the benefits of natural fibre industries to the world economy, environment and consumers.
The DNFI Annual Innovation in Natural Fibres award will recognize innovation in the
development of products and processes using natural fibres and research involving natural
fibres. Candidates for a DNFI Innovation Award are requested to send the appropriate
submission form to DNFI, e-mail: Secretariat@DNFI.org
Awards will be judged in three categories: Innovative products/components or
applications, Innovative processes/procedures and Research and science.
The Evaluation criteria are Outstanding scientific work and technical feasibility, the Level of improvement or effectiveness of the innovation over existing products or processes, the Degree to which the innovative product or process has been implemented, and Potential for opening new outlets, markets or sectors for products made of natural fibres.
Deadlines: the Closing date for applications is 28 July 2017. Short-listed competitors will be notified by 1 September 2017. Worldwide voting will be conducted during September 2017, and Winners announced 6 October 2017.
Winners will be recognized by press release and announcement at the Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee October 2017, the Biocomposites Conference Cologne (BCC, www.biocompositescc.com) December 2017, and the International Wool Textile Organization Congress May 2018.