TECHNIKA I NAUKA NR 70/2000-01

Ryszard Kozłowski

Przemysł włókienniczy do roku 2020.
Prognosis of the textile industry up to 2020.

9 pages in English.

Prof. dr. Ryszard Kozłowski has been with the Institute of Natural Fibres in Poznań, Poland, for 30 years, the last 20 years as director general. He is a doctor of chemical technology and professor of technical science. He has led research into the broadening of the raw material resources of natural fibres; the extracting and processing of bast fibres as well fire and environmental protection. He is the coordinator of the FAO European Cooperative Research Network on Flax acting within ESCORENA and an associate member of the International Textile Institute Board in charge of assisting in the development of Eastern Europe. Dr. Kozlowski is a member of the Secretariat of the International Chamber of Wool and is one of the 'Five Thousand Personalities of the World'. His name is included in the International 'Who's Who of Intellectuals' chosen as 'Men of Achievement'. He is also a member of many Polish and foreign scientific and professional organizations, including Textile Institute International, ICOMOS in the field of fire retardants and of the Polish Institute of Combustion.

The following conclusions from the full presentation can be drawn:

• Natural fibres - though facing fierce competition vis a vis man-made fibres - remain together with man-made cellulosic fibres the only human and eco-friendly textile raw materials. The latter can be produced from renewable cellulose-rich plants leaving the forest resources intact.
• The human-friendly features of natural fibres are clearly visible in blends with synthetic fibres. Even a 30% content of flax can provide low electrostacity and raise the hygienic value of textile products made from blends. That partnership between natural and man-made fibres is growing and will become a dominant trend in the future.
• An awareness of the superiority of natural textiles is growing with new evidence of the unfavorable effects of synthetic clothing on the human organism.
• The example of the newly introduced fibres made from corn stress how difficult it is to outclass nature in the fibre production process. The responsibility of research and development for the living standards of societies is limitless. Thus the search for really human and eco-friendly fibres will continue.

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