This report is based on research originally conducted by a working group within the Brussels-based organisation CIRFS (Comité International de la Rayonne et des Fibres Synthétiques).

The members of the working group were: Franz Auersperg of Glanzstoff Austria GmbH, Austria; Corrado Cavallini of Nylstar, Italy; Luciano De Carli of Montefibre, Italy; Walter Helskens of Selilla, France; Dr Monique Lévy of Honeywell Performance Fibres, France; Dr Pierbarbara Ferrari of Nuova Rayon S.p.A., Italy; Dr Francesco Prezzavento, a consultant previously with Montefibre, Italy, and currently with Assofibre, Italy; Mark Schmitt of Trevira, Germany; Uwe Schmidt of Bayer, Germany; and Simon Tanner of DuPontSA, United Kingdom).