What is the Discover Natural Fibres Initiative

The Discover Natural Fibres Initiative (DNFI) is a global platform connecting natural fibre industries worldwide. Established in 2009 following the UN's International Year of Natural Fibres, DNFI brings together organisations representing 15 major fibres, from cotton and wool to specialty materials like cashmere, hemp, and alpaca.

Unlike traditional industry associations, DNFI operates as a voluntary knowledge-sharing network with no membership fees, offices, or formal bureaucracy. This streamlined approach has proven effective at fostering collaboration across the textile supply chain, from farmers growing raw materials to manufacturers creating finished products, with over 40 member organisations actively participating from all over the world. 

Why this model works

World production of natural fibres exceeds 33 million tonnes, valued at $60 billion annually and employs 290 million people. DNFI addresses sector challenges and encourages innovation by removing collaboration barriers, by enabling participation from small-scale farmers to multinational corporations. This inclusive approach ensures that solutions are effective across different economic contexts and geographic regions.

Natural fibres are carbon-neutral, absorbing the same amount of CO2 they release throughout their lifecycle. DNFI supports this advantage by promoting best practices that enable natural materials to compete effectively with synthetic alternatives.

Core activities

DNFI focuses on four strategic activities that create measurable impact:

• Stakeholder Community: DNFI provides a platform for the natural fibres stakeholder community, facilitating knowledge exchange and experience sharing among members, and advancing common interests across all natural fibre sectors.

• Spreading the Word: The initiative promotes natural fibres as CO2-neutral resources, contributing to a greener planet by organising presentations and sessions at international high-level conferences and trade shows.

• Recognise Innovation: The DNFI Innovation in Natural Fibres Award celebrates innovation, people, and institutions behind breakthrough developments, raising public awareness of achievements within the natural fibre sector.

• Facts & Figures: DNFI shares fibre statistics and information on innovative technologies, promoting all natural fibres in the face of competition from synthetic fibres and raising awareness of the advantages of natural fibres.

Impact and Benefits

DNFI's collaborative model encourages supply chain innovation, with members sharing efficient farming techniques, cleaner processing methods, and waste reduction strategies. The initiative supports millions of small-scale farmers and workers, transferring knowledge from developed to developing regions. 

This approach demonstrates that simple structures maximise participation, knowledge sharing drives innovation, environmental focus creates market value, and inclusive growth benefits everyone. DNFI proves that voluntary collaboration can achieve environmental goals and support economic development, offering a blueprint for sustainable textile ecosystems worldwide.