The smartfiber AG story

In 2005, the developers of cellulose fibers from Thuringia looked for a marketing specialist. The functional fibers which based on an original technology, offered promising opportunities but could not be placed in the market so far. Michael Kohne came in contact with the Thuringians by coincidence. He quickly recognized the potential of the natural fibers, ordered a market study and founded, in company with the fiber–inventors, the smartfiber AG in October 2005. Michael Kohne found quickly access to the market. Just one year later the new company produced the cellulose fibers with additional benefits and brought them to market. Main clientele for the skin-friendly fiber with added value was and is the textile industry. So for example the smartcel™ sensitive fiber with zinc is to be found nowadays in clothing and home textiles for many renowned brands all over the world. In between Michael Kohne has successfully placed more fibers and also self-created endcustomer products based on the fiber technology in the market. He is not necessarily targeting the mass market, rather he will produce high-quality products for high-quality partners, so that they can settle from cheap products. Michael Kohne has occupied profitable niches with the fibers of smartfiber AG, which offer a high added value. Not for nothing the fiber technology has awarded several prizes, so in 2010 with the prestigious German Innovation Prize. Also in 2010 Michael Kohne was chosen from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research for the exhibition „ideenreich.zukunftssicher – Die Zukunft Ost im Blick“, focusing on „20 Years of Development of Eastern Germany in research and innovation“. The exhibition at the Sony Center in Berlin portrayed 24 outstanding corporate bigwigs who embody exemplary the „Reconstruction East“ and contributed significantly to the future location Germany through their engagement.