The Institute of Natural Fibres (INF) is the only one in Poland interdisciplinary research unit with international significance, which takes care of complex researches concerning obtaining and processing natural lignocellulosic fibre raw materials such as: flax, hemp, and protein ones such as: silk, wool and so on.

The Institute is conducting research concerning:

- molecular biology

- genetic engineering, biotechnology and agronomy of bast fibre plants

- technology and construction of machines used for harvesting, the way of extracting the fibre and refining it

- the initial processing, and also spinning, weaving, knitting and finishing technology

- application of lignocellulosic raw materials for the production of fabrics, knitted goods, non-woven, pulp and    composites as well as utilisation of by-products arising during processing of these products

- application of flax and hemp seeds in pharmaceutics, food and cosmetics production and the so-called 'agrofine chemicals'

- technology of producing fire retardants, fungi-, and insecticides as well as germicides for the needs of fibre    industry, composites and wood

- sewage treatment and air protection, industry contaminated land management leading to non-food plants  growing.

By adapting its activity to the requirements of still changing economic situation, the following Departments were created at the Institute: Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Interactive Fibres and Textile Products, Marketing and Designing, "Natural-Art" Studio, the Workshop "Natural Art".

The Laboratory of Physiological Impact of Textiles on Human Body has also been created.

Two of the laboratories functioning in the Institute: the Flammability Laboratory and Textile Laboratory possess the Accreditation Certificate No. AB 225 from 1998 issued by the Polish Centre of Accreditation.Apart from the researches carried on due to status activities, ordered, aimed projects and grants, the Institute also participates in the realisation of research programmes with the co-operation of world organisations such as UNIDO, FAO and took part and still does in the projects of the 5th Framework Programme of EU and submitted its access to the 6th Framework Programme of EU. It also participates in the Co-operation Programme in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research COST.

The Institute entered a multi-directional scientific co-operation with many research centres all over the world on the basis of signed mutual agreements. The activities of the Institute concerning support and development of countries from Latin America (Ecuador, Columbia, Argentina), Africa and Asia in terms of using natural lignocellulosic textile resources, should be emphasised.

The Institute intensively approaches matters that world science is interested in, connected with modern composites based on polymers and lignocellulosic materials used in different fields, starting from construction, building industry, furniture making, transport through telecommunication to medicine. In terms of acknowledgement for the achievements in this field the Institute was committed to organise the Fifth International Conference on Frontiers of Polymers and Advanced Materials which took place in Poznan in June 21st to 25th , 1999 and also co-organise further ICFPAM conferences in Recife (Brazil) in 2001 and in Bucharest (Romania), 2003.

For many years the INF has been co-operating with the Ministry of Art and Culture as well as with the particular museums, theatres and religious cult buildings in terms of complex protecting, especially wooden objects against fire or bio-deterioration.

The research at the INF is concentrating on the needs of agriculture, industry, environment protection, building, transport and many other fields of economic life.
The particular sphere of INF activity is advising for the government and regional administration and also training of industry experts (e.g. furniture making, building, fire-fighting services) and agriculture.
In the Experimental Stations of INF, apart from activities connected with breeding and agronomy, the hemp and flax pre-basic and basic sowing seeds of the INF-bred, cultivars are produced. The Stations are also the place of testing modern technologies and machines.

In the register of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development the following original cultivars of flax are listed: Artemida, Nike, Wiko, Modran, Selena Luna and Atena. Additional lines are still under experiments. The Institute carries on also breeding researches on cultivars of hemp with the low content of canabinoids, especially 0,2% THC. At present, the Institute of Natural Fibres has at its own disposal hemp cultivars of Bialobrzeskie, Beniko and Silesia with the THC content below 0,2%. The cultivars of Bialobrzeskie and Beniko are placed on the list of cultivars eligible for subsidies of the European Union.