199 employees (95 in the Institute itself; 104 in Experimental Stations) including 55 researchers.

The Institute of Natural Fibres is a research and development institution, which carries on the achievements, experience and tradition of the former Central Experimental Station of Silk Industry, the Experimental Station of Flax Industry and the Institute of Wool Science.

The Institute of Natural Fibres consists of 11 research departments, 7 research laboratories (2 of them, the Toxicity Laboratory and the Flammability Research Laboratory with accreditation), 7 agriculture experimental stations, 1 fibre art design studio and auxiliary divisions as the financial, technical, service and planning.

At the Institute of Natural Fibres are operating the

and the

FAO European Co-operative Research Network for Flax and Other Bast Fibres.

The Institute of Natural Fibres is the only one in Poland interdisciplinary research centre of international significance engaged into complex research concerning obtaining and processing of natural textile raw materials (flax, hemp, silk, wool, etc.). The Institute conducts research into cultivation and agricultural technology of fibre crops, genetic engineering, spinning, biotechnology and processing of bast fibres. An essential field of the Institute’s activity are a broad range of environmental protection studies, including recultivation of industrially polluted soil with the goal of cultivation non-edible crops, sewage treatment, air protection against pollution and utilization of textile industry by-products.

INSTYTUT WŁÓKIEN NATURALNYCH

INSTITUTE OF NATURAL FIBRES

ul. Wojska Polskiego 71 B, 60-630 Poznań, Poland

Tel. 48-61/224-815, 480-061, Fax 48-61/417-830