FET Highlights Fibre Spinning Innovations at Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress

Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited showcased its advances in fibre processing, including its FET-500 Series gel spinning system, recognised with the Techtextil Innovation Award 2026.

Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited (FET) played a key role at the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress in Austria in September 2026. Dr Jonny Hunter delivered a presentation titled “Spinning a good yarn”, highlighting major developments and challenges in the fibre industry.

The congress brought together more than 100 expert speakers, innovators and global stakeholders. It attracted over 400 attendees from industrial and academic organisations. Participants included industry names such as Barmag, Sembis and Fraunhofer, alongside academic organisations such as CETI in France, Aachen in Germany and Fibernamics in Portugal.

Against a backdrop of decarbonisation pressures and changing markets, the event provided a platform for collaboration and forward-looking solutions.

FET Expands Its Fibre Processing Technologies

Dr Hunter’s presentation examined the challenges and innovations shaping the fibre industry in recent years. FET has contributed to this progress by designing, developing and manufacturing specialised fibre equipment. These solutions help customers across different industries address specific research and production requirements.

FET has built its reputation on melt spinning technology for multifilament, monofilament and nonwoven applications. The presentation also highlighted the company’s expansion into specialised processes and equipment, including:

• Meltblown systems: Designed for non-continuous nonwoven fibres.
• Spunbond equipment: Developed for continuous nonwoven production.
• Wet spinning systems: Used where melt spinning is not a suitable option.

These technologies reflect FET’s focus on developing equipment for a wide range of fibre processing needs.

FET-500 Series Advances Gel Spinning

One of the key highlights was FET’s gel spinning system, branded as the FET-500 Series. The system enables rapid, small-scale gel spinning of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) without the toxic solvents typically associated with the process.

This development represents a significant step in FET’s technology portfolio. It also earned the company the Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category.

The system supports the development of UHMWPE fibres while addressing concerns around the solvents used in conventional processing methods.

Supporting More Sustainable Fibre Development

Environmental considerations remain central to FET’s technology development. The company aims to help customers reduce pollution and material waste across research and production processes.

Its Fibre Development Centre supports this goal by providing an environment where clients can trial and process their own materials. This allows them to explore fibre development options and assess processing methods.

To date, FET has successfully processed more than 130 different polymer types across multifilament, monofilament and nonwoven formats. This experience highlights the breadth of materials the company can accommodate.

FET to Exhibit at COMPAMED 2026

FET’s next exhibition will be COMPAMED 2026, scheduled to take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 16 to 19 November 2026.

Visitors can find the company at Hall 08B, Stand 8BJ109, where it will continue to engage with industry professionals on fibre processing technologies and equipment development.