As a scientific institution at the University of Bremen, Faserinstitut Bremen (FIBRE) carries out research and development tasks in the area of tests, further development and processing of fibers, semi-finished textile products and composite fiber materials.

The Institute was founded in 1969 as a non-profit association. The activities of the Cotton Laboratory, established in 1955 at the Bremen Cotton Exchange, and those of the Wool Laboratory, established in 1965, were merged into this association. The association began its work with the University of Bremen in 1989. This led to a cooperation of teaching and research and the merging of the institute leadership and university professorship positions of Specialized Area 12 (Production Technology).

The appointment of Professor Herrmann as Institute Head and Professor for the area of Production Technology in 2001 led to the establishment of the areas "Lightweight Construction with Composite Fiber Materials and Fiber Development" and "Aerospace Technology in Production Technology" at the university. Presently, the activities of the institute are grouped into 3 competencies and 1 Test Center.

The institute's Test Center is accredited according to DIN ISO 17025 (German industrial standard) and can look back on 50 years of experience in material testing. It is acknowledged worldwide for its cotton round trials and, among other things, offers a variety of tests on single fibers of all materials including composite fiber component tests. Individual test methods and concepts were developed as a result of cooperation with the "Test Methods" competency area.

The laboratory is a guarantor for the quality of research results in projects of the competency fields. Among its customers are a number of companies in the aerospace industry.