Textile ETP presents new Bioeconomy Innovation Strategy at FIZZ Dialogue Forum

On 6 October 2026, Textile ETP Secretary General Lutz Walter recently joined the FIZZ Dialogue Forum on Biobased Fibres in Cologne, organised in part by the FaserInnovationsZentrum Zerkall (FIZZ), a German institute focused on innovations in natural and alternative fibers, the event served as a collaborative venue for researchers, manufacturing professionals, and agricultural stakeholders to discuss the future of the bioeconomy.

The event, which brought together stakeholders from agriculture, industry, research and policy, offered the ideal opportunity to present our Circular & Biobased Textiles Innovation Hub’s newly published Bioeconomy Innovation Strategy for the European Fibres, Textiles, and Apparel Industry which develops a coherent and forward-looking vision for the biobased and circular transformation of Europe's textile material base.

"We have the feedstocks, technologies, expertise and end markets," says Lutz Walter. "But having all the ingredients doesn't automatically create a successful restaurant." The strategy addresses the key barriers: building complete value chains, aligning the interests of farmers, processors, manufacturers and investors, scaling up in cost-driven markets, convincing cautious industrial customers to switch materials, and giving consumers a credible reason to choose biobased products. None of these can be solved by innovators acting alone.