Natural Materials for a Low Carbon Future

Natural Fibres ’09 is one of the final events of 2009, the United Nation’s designated International Year of Natural Fibres. This three day International Conference will celebrate and highlight the increasing use of natural fibres around the World, raise awareness of their diverse engineering properties and take an in-depth look at the research work that is being carried out to quantify and improve the properties of these environmentally sustainable materials in engineering and textile applications. This 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.

Days one and two consist of two simultaneous streams of presentations featuring over 60 International oral presenters and an accompanying Poster Presentation session, networking reception, conference dinner and free to attend Public Lecture entitled ‘Lean, Mean and Green: The World's First Environmentally Friendly Racing Car‘ by Kerry Kirwan of Warwick University

Day three comprises a visit to the Innovation Park at BRE in Watford to see first hand the use of natural materials in construction. A number of demonstration properties will be showcasing modern methods of construction, near zero carbon homes, and over 200 different innovative and emerging technologies, and of particular interest will be the ‘Renewable Hemp House’ and the ‘Natural House’.

Keynote Speakers:

• Lord Hunt, Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
• Professor Amar Mohanty, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
• Professor Callum Hill, Centre for Timber Engineering, Edinburgh Napier University
• Phil Warner, Company Founder and CEO, Ecofibre, Australia
• Dr Julie Soden, School of Art and Design, University of Ulster at Belfast
• Dr Brett Suddell, ADAS Rosemaund, UK
• Michael Carus, Managing Director of nova-Institute of Ecology and Innovation, Germany
• Dr John Williams, Head of Polymers and Materials, NNFCC, UK
• Salum Shamte, Managing Director, Katani Ltd, Tanzania

For more information and registration details please visit:
http://www.iom3.org/events/fibres