Fresh from its highly successful 63rd conference held in Porto, Portugal, from October 7-10, The Textile Institute (TI) will celebrate a major milestone at the ITMA Asia+CITME textile machinery exhibition in Singapore later this month.
How can the state of Brandenburg benefit from a circular textile industry? This question is addressed in the new policy paper "Closing the loop in the textile industry: Value creation in the state of Brandenburg." Based on the „TexPHB“ feasibility study funded by the Brandenburg Ministry of Climate Protection, it shows how textile waste can be integrated into new value chains.
How can new bio-based and biohybrid materials with improved features be developed faster? Six Fraunhofer institutes are jointly exploring this question in the SUBI²MA flagship project, using an innovative bio-based polyamide developed by Fraunhofer researchers as a model. Its specific properties make it a promising alternative to fossil-based plastics.
Hohenstein and GoBlu Drive Innovation in Sustainable Supply Chain Management As regulatory demands, customer expectations, and sustainability goals continue to grow, the ability to manage chemical compliance and data across complex supply chains has become critical. Hohenstein and The BHive® by GoBlu are initiating a strategic partnership to enhance chemical management in the textile sector. The collaboration delivers more than just a service – it provides an integrated, future-ready solution for brands, manufacturers and suppliers seeking trusted chemical management and credible sustainability.
On various biological surfaces, oil is adsorbed from water surfaces and transported along the leaf. In her dissertation, ITA Postdoc Dr Leonie Beek transferred this effect to a technical textile using her Bionic Oil Absorber (BOA), which can remove up to 4 litres of diesel per hour from water at technological readiness level 4. For this development, Dr Beek was awarded the Paul Schlack Prize 2025 for her dissertation ‘Bionic textiles for oil-water separation modelled on superhydrophobic biological surfaces’ on 10 September 2025. The award ceremony took place during the opening event of the Dornbirn GFC Global Fiber Congress in Austria.
The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) and the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University are planning to cooperate in the future in the field of AI-supported manufacturing, robotics and smart textiles. At the same time, the aim is to promote talent exchange and a sustainable Indian-German partnership.
The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) have successfully implemented extensive investments in photovoltaic systems at their site in Denkendorf. The systems installed on the roofs of the buildings and covered parking lots have a total installed capacity of 840 kilowatt peak (kWp). The DITF invested 1.6 million euros in this with the support of the state of Baden-Württemberg. The system was ceremonially put into operation on September 17, 2025.
Drink coffee and learn about Industry 4.0 in a fun way – that's what ITA PhD student Rosario Othen has made possible with his digital espresso machine. Rosario equipped the Quickmill espresso machine with a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, programmable pump, integrated scale and current measurement.
The full programme for the 93rd Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC 2025) has now been announced, with over 100 presentations to be delivered in parellel sessions at the event, which takes place from October 7-10 at the Porto Palácio Hotel and Spa in Porto, Portugal.
Around the world, used textiles are still rarely recycled and pile up into huge mountains of waste. A recent study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) drew attention to this problem. However, the low recycling rate is also due to the fact that only a small percentage of used textiles are actually suitable for recycling into high-quality materials and for demanding applications. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are addressing this problem with their research.
On 3 and 4 December 2025, the 17th colloquium on recycling for textiles will take place at the Hotel Chemnitzer Hof. The event brings together experts from industry, science and research to present and discuss current developments, technologies and business models for a sustainable circular economy in the textile industry.
A companion during studies and for practical use in the workplace: generations of textile experts have used the Denkendorf Fiber Chart to keep track of all the important characteristic values of textile raw materials. Following the first two editions in the 1970s and 1980s, Denkendorf scientists have comprehensively revised the Fiber Chart. The third edition is now available in digital form for the first time.
International cooperation for a circular textile economy: Circular Textile Days, the leading international B2B event for sustainable textiles based in the Netherlands, is entering into a strategic partnership with the DATIpilot Innovation Community Circular Textiles at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences (THA). The aim of the collaboration is to strengthen European innovation in the circular textile economy and create new opportunities for the cross-border exchange of knowledge.
A new technology uses microwaves and plasma heating to produce carbon fibers in an energy-efficient manner. This means high-strength composite materials can be produced more cheaply and efficiently. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) are part of the Carbowave research consortium, which aims to improve and commercialize microwave and plasma-induced carbonization.
In large parts of Central Asia, decades of cotton irrigation have led to severe soil salinisation, with serious consequences for soil fertility and the future of cotton cultivation. An international research consortium, including the Saxon Textile Research Institute (STFI), has therefore investigated the potential of alternative fibre plants. The focus was on Apocynum spp. (kendyr), a bast fibre plant that can thrive on saline soils. The aim: to restore the agricultural use of former cotton fields and establish new textile value chains in the region.
Roshan Paul, Ph.D. (Tech.) was recently honoured with the position of Full Professor (by invitation) Professor Catedrático Convidado by the Rector, Prof. Mário Lino Barata Raposo of University of Beira Interior (UBI), Portugal https://www.ubi.pt/en. This highest position was offered to him in recognition of his outstanding scientific contributions, particularly for pioneering sustainable innovations in textile processing technology.
The Textile Institute, in collaboration with Aquitex, is pleased to announce that Mario Jorge Machado, Euratex President, Portugal will be delivering a Keynote Address at the upcoming Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC).
Whether in hydrogen tanks, batteries, fuel cells or for shielding sensitive electronics – carbon fibers are used in a wide range of advanced applications. At the Potsdam Science Park, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, in collaboration with Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, is developing novel carbon fibers based on cellulose.
Dr Roshan Paul is one of the world's top 2 percent of scientists. Stanford University has therefore included him in its rankings for 2021, 2022 and 2024. Roshan Paul is Platform Leader of the Smart Finishing Group at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University.
Whether in restaurants, open-plan offices, or schools, we are confronted with loud background noise in our everyday lives. This noise pollution can cause stress and damage our health. Sound-absorbing materials are used to reduce noise. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are developing a comprehensive system for measuring and predicting the acoustic properties of a wide variety of textiles. This research enables the development of a wide range of sound-absorbing or acoustically effective materials.
Since the middle of July, the testing service provider Hohenstein has been certified to conduct medical device testing in accordance with the internationally recognised Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standard. This certification comprehensively covers chemical, physical and biological safety testing of medical devices.
On June 28, 2025, almost 300 guests celebrated the Day of the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the Boulevardtheater Dresden. At this year's ceremony, over 60 graduates from the Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering and Natural Materials Technology and Material Science degree programs were given a ceremonial send-off into professional life, 9 doctoral graduates were congratulated on the successful completion of their dissertations and prizes worth a total of 13,500 euros were awarded.
The textile and clothing industry in the Rhineland region is experiencing a significant innovation boost: the future-oriented project ‘Textilfabrik 7.0’ (Textile Factory 7.0) of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences (HSNR), together with other strong industry players, is now being launched: On 15 July, Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy and Deputy Minister-President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), will present the funding approval for this ambitious project, which will implement the digital and sustainable industrial production of tomorrow in an exemplary manner, generate new jobs in the Rhineland region and be competitive in a global context.
At the end of May 2025, the time had come - a coating system to produce spread and impregnated fibre tapes was installed and put into operation by Cetex Institut gGmbH in Abu Dhabi, 4600 km away from Chemnitz. The system allows the parallel production of up to 10 spread and impregnated fibre tapes.
The AATCC Foundation Student Research Support Grant Program provides financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing textile-related projects. Students may submit proposals now for funding to be awarded January 2026. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2025, to be considered.
Great news from ITA institute: The spin-off team TERNAfil was awarded 1st place in the “Pitch & PitchDeck” category of the AC² Start-Up Competition 2024/2025! The award ceremony was held on June 5 in the historic Coronation Hall of Aachen’s Town Hall – a special setting for an important milestone.
Textiles functionalized with antiviral agents are intended to reduce the risk of transmission of pathogens, particularly in a medical environment. These antiviral properties must be carefully tested and verified in laboratory tests. The biological testing laboratory of the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) has examined antiviral activities with coronaviruses as part of an interdisciplinary research project on textiles for infection control.
The European Capital of Culture 2025, Chemnitz, opened its doors to textile designers, textile artists and experts from the fields of fashion, art and textiles: the Tour de LOOP on 26 and 27 May 2025 took participants on an exclusive professional tour of one of Europe's most traditional and innovative textile regions. 19 visitors from Europe explored Chemnitz and its textile region. They came from the Nether- lands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Great Britain and Germany.
Fungi are considered a promising source of biodegradable materials. Empa researchers have developed a new material based on a fungal mycelium and its own extracellular matrix. This gives the biomaterial particularly advantageous properties.
On May 16, 2025, the workshop “Hemp for a Sustainable Future” was held in Izmir - a joint event organized by the Aegean Exporters’ Associations (EIB) and the Chamber of Textile Engineers Izmir (TMMOB). The aim of the workshop was to raise awareness among all stakeholders along the value chain - from hemp cultivation to final products - and to promote a deeper understanding of the diverse applications of this raw material in industry.
Adaptable insulation elements can ensure that the heat transfer through the building envelope can be adjusted as required. This saves heating or cooling energy and therefore costs. Intelligent systems can regulate heat transfer according to the outside temperature and the need for heating or cooling in the interior. In the ReVaD project, the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) and their partners are developing adaptive building envelopes that can also use concrete components as structural thermal energy storage units for temperature control in buildings.
Hung Le Xuan was awarded the Innovation Prize at the SAMPE Germany Symposium 2025 last week for his dissertation "Novel textile reinforcements with integrated textile-based in-situ sensors for the reinforcement of existing concrete structures against short-term dynamic events".
Users of poly- and perfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals", are under pressure due to regulatory proposals from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This also affects the use of fluoroelastomers, whose economic significance is enormous. Fraunhofer experts initiated the "HATE-Fluor" project at the beginning of February. Together, they want to develop high-performance elastomer compounds to replace fluoropolymers in certain technical applications.
The Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC), one of Europe's most renowned platforms for textile research and innovation, will return to Aachen on November 27–28, 2025. The annual conference rotates between the German textile hubs of Dresden, Stuttgart, and Aachen, bringing together academia and industry to discuss the latest developments in fiber and textile technologies.
When textiles are equipped with electronic components, conductive yarns and textile sensors, the application possibilities are almost unlimited. These high-tech textiles are a global growth market. In Stuttgart, manufacturers, users and researchers presented amazing examples of applications in construction, architecture and mobility. The appropriate standards ensure quality and safety.
Global testing and research provider Hohenstein has acquired shares in Global Textile Scheme GmbH (GTS). In this way, Hohenstein aims to support GTS in harmonizing and automating data exchange along the entire supply chain. The aim of the GTS initiative is to create an international standard for handling structured product data in the textile and apparel industry.
In March 2025, the new Furnace System 1800 (FRS 1800) high-temperature rheometer from Anton Paar was put into operation at the Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TU Dresden. The installation was carried out by Fabian Barth and Peter Brandes from Anton Paar in collaboration with Florian Pötzsch and Dr. Dilbar Aibibu from the ITM.
The winners of the PROSE AWARD 2025 were announced on 5th March 2025. Roshan Paul and Thomas Gries from the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University were honoured as category winners in Engineering and Technology for their book ‘Sustainable Innovations in the Textile Industry’.
Responsible action is a defining value for Hohenstein, a global testing and research provider. Their 2024 Sustainability Report provides transparency through documented progress and detailed insights into how sustainability is embedded. It covers both the existing sustainability measures at the German headquarters and the company's goals for 2025 and beyond. The direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) of all its locations worldwide were recorded for the first time.
Researchers from the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University have been honored with two JEC Innovation Awards at JEC World 2025 in Paris, recognizing their groundbreaking contributions to sustainable construction and sports equipment.
The Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TU Dresden and the Korea Textile Machinery Convergence Research Institute (KOTMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their collaboration in recycled fiber applications for industrial textile products. The agreement marks a significant step in fostering joint research and development in sustainable textile technologies.
In these challenging times for the sustainable transformation of the chemicals and materials sector, collaboration is more necessary than ever. That is why nova-Institute is proud to welcome Dr. Lars Börger as the new Co-CEO alongside with Michael Carus, the current CEO of nova-Institute. As a team, they will join forces to drive progress towards a greener and fossil-free future for these industries.
Testing laboratory Hohenstein and DuPont have collaborated to develop three innovative and reliable test methods for soft ballistic inserts. Maximizing the comfort and mobility of body armour, such as bulletproof vests, is key to the performance and endurance for law enforcement and military personnel. The new methods address the disconnect in existing tests with real body movements and positions.
In collaboration with Heraeus, the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) are developing fibers and textiles with a novel infection protection system. The basis is an antimicrobial mechanism of action licensed from Heraeus and marketed under the name AGXX. The goal of the collaboration is to optimally integrate the AGXX technology into textile finishes and coatings and to incorporate it into fiber-spinnable polymers. This will provide medical textiles with highly effective and long-lasting protection against microbial infections.
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, a leading developer of spider silk-based fibers, proudly announces the successful creation of new novel silk, build upon the silk proteins of the remarkable caddisfly. This breakthrough marks a new frontier in the field of engineered fibers and underscores the Company’s commitment to pioneering innovations in biotechnology.
At this year's JEC Composites Innovation Awards ceremony, the award in the "Construction & Civil Engineering" category went to the "DACCUSS" project, coordinated by the DITF. TechnoCarbon Technologies GbR, the inventor of Carbon Fiber Stone (CFS), received the JEC Award together with its development partners. The award is for the development of house walls made of Carbon Fiber Stone (CFS), a CO2 negative composite material.
When the sun is currently shining, shading textiles face particular challenges. On the one hand, they should allow as much daylight as possible into the rooms during the dark season. On the other hand, the angle of incidence of the sun's rays is so low that the light is particularly dazzling - much more so than in summer. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) are using special light measurement techniques to research suitable shading textiles.
Building on a rapid test for the detection of microfibres in sample water presented in 2023, the sporting goods manufacturer Under Armour, together with the testing service provider Hohenstein and the measuring device provider PPT Group, has now published a standardised test method that enables the determination of microfibre release from textiles under simulated washing conditions. With the help of the new DIN SPEC 19292, apparel/textile companies along the value chain are now able to measure and (e.g. comparatively) evaluate the extent of fibre release of different materials as part of their product development.
The former head of the previous Institute for Textile Chemistry and Chemical Fibers (ITCF) at the DITF passed away on December 11 at the age of 94.
Polyurethane (PU) casting compounds are classically used as protective and insulating material in electronics and electrical engineering, e.g. in battery modules or on circuits or for embedding LEDs. In addition to their electrical insulating properties, they are heat resistant and mechanically flexible . In addition, the transition from liquid to solid aggregate state is so favorable that these PU masses can be applied with a precise fit.
Due to their excellent mechanical properties and low weight, carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) are increasingly being used in lightweight construction applications where high strength and rigidity combined with minimal weight are crucial. However, the growing use of CFRP is also accompanied by large quantities of carbon fiber waste. So far, only processing routes that significantly reduce the properties of CFRP and thus limit the fields of application have been established.
The Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference was held in Stuttgart on November 21 and 22. 450 participants from 25 countries and five continents took the opportunity to attend one of the most important European technical congresses.
Current bio-based plastics are often only suitable for short-lived applications, such as packaging, because they have inadequate long-term properties. The new project “Bio-based polyesters for challenging long-term applications” from the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF aims to improve the long-term properties of bioplastics through targeted additivation in order to enable their use in technical applications. To do this, the researchers are looking for companies along the value chain that would also like to substitute petro-based plastics with bio-based solutions in long-lasting products.
The circular textile economy is a topic that has garnered widespread attention. However, achieving this goal requires more than ambition—it calls for collaboration and robust networks. Recognizing this, the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) invites partners from industry, academia, and research to engage in a dynamic professional exchange focused on this critical subject.
The Cleanzone, the trade fair for cleanroom and purity technology, hygiene and contamination control, took place in Frankfurt am Main on September 25 and 26, 2024. The Cleanzone Award is presented at the trade fair to recognize groundbreaking advances in innovation, automation, sustainability and efficiency in the field of cleanroom technology. This year, the award went to the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) and the Dastex Group GmbH for the development of a test method for cleanroom garments - the ReBa2.
Together with Fiber Engineering GmbH, the DITF presents a process for the production of biodegradable plant pots. The products are cost effective and competitive. At the same time, the production process combats the spread of the invasive water hyacinth, whose biomass serves as the raw material for the plant pots.
On September 17, 2020, the Wetlaid Technical Center was opened at the Saxon Textile Research Institute (STFI) in the Center for Textile Sustainability. For over 30 years, STFI has been dedicated to a variety of fields of application in the textile industry as an innovation partner and service provider. More than 40 invited guests from industry, research and politics attended the opening of the technical center.
Fungi have more to offer than meets the eye. Their thread-like cells, which grow extensively and out of sight underground like a network of roots, offer huge potential for producing sustainable, biodegradable materials. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in Potsdam Science Park are using this mycelium to develop a wide range of recyclable products, from wallets and insulation to packaging.
The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) announced the winners of the ITMF Awards 2024 at the ITMF & IAF Conference 2024 held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 8-10 September. In the "ITMF International Cooperation Award 2024" category, the DITF received the award together with the French company RBX Créations for the introduction of a newly developed hemp-based pulp and its further processing into filament-spun cellulose fibres.
The Saxon Textile Research Institute (STFI) is organizing the 17th Symposium TEXTILE FILTER on March 11-12, 2025 in Chemnitz. The symposium will look at innovative, high-performance textile filter media for various applications and systems for air, gas, liquid and particle filtration against the background of changing technology. The conference offers the opportunity to intensify cooperation between R&D and industry and to take up new impulses for filter media design.
Protective gloves, such as those used for work, sport or household gardening, retrieve their protective function from a special coating. This coating provides abrasion resistance, makes the material waterproof and resistant to chemicals or oil, and even protects against cuts and punctures. Until now, coatings made of oil-based polymers, nitrile rubber or latex have been the main materials used. Using innovative technologies, scientists at the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) have succeeded in developing a robust yet flexible glove coating using environmentally friendly lignin in a 3D printing process.
On September 26, 2024, Stratasys GmbH welcomes the seventh symposium ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING in the textile industry. The symposium offers a unique platform for exchanging information on the latest developments and applications of additive manufacturing in the textile industry.
In the "Lignowool_2" project, TUD researchers are developing a composite material made of wood wool and biodegradable, textile plastic fibers. The so-called lignowool composites represent a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. In future, they are to be used in the automotive industry for door panels and trunk floors, for example. This is a technical application of wood wool and promotes the use of natural materials.
Dr.-Ing. Thomas V. Fischer takes over the management of the Center of Management Research at the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF). Thomas Fischer completed his doctorate in 2000 on cooperative innovation management in the textile value chain. His research work was funded by the DITF with an EU scholarship. He then worked as a research assistant at the Center of Management and was appointed deputy head in 2017.
Dr. Javier Vera Sorroche will lead NIRI’s extrusion research and development capability. His extensive background in polymer extrusion, sustainable textile innovation, and business development will be pivotal in helping NIRI to deliver their customers’ next-generation products.
Dongshin University from Naju in South Korea and Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University will cooperate in the field of industrial digitalisation and renewable energies in the future. A cooperation agreement was signed on 9 July by Professor Dr Chun-Shik kim and Professor Dr Thomas Gries. Professor Dr Chun-Shik Kim is an expert on German-Korean economic cooperation, ADEKO board member and former advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Dr Thomas Gries is ITA Director and Rectorate Representative of RWTH Aachen University for Korea.
Together with international partners, researchers at the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) have succeeded in processing the active ingredient of the graviola plant in such a way that it can be incorporated into textiles. The graviola plant is used as a medicinal plant in its tropical homeland.
The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are coordinating the research project, which is funded as part of the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program. The aim of BioFibreLoop is to develop recyclable outdoor and work clothing made from renewable bio-based materials. The kick-off event took place in Denkendorf on June 26 and 27, 2024.
The current European Football Championships 2024 in Germany will be played on natural turf. This is very costly to maintain, does not tolerate high frequency of use and has a limited service life of only 6 months in some cases. Artificial turf is easier to maintain and correspondingly popular. In Germany alone, there are estimated to be more than 5,000 artificial turf pitches and as many as 25,500 across the EU. The huge drawback: the enormous annual emission of microplastics in the form of infill material, the high CO2 impact and the anything but environmentally friendly disposal.
Challenging but successful days for scientists (Eric Euchler, Anna Sambale, Regine Boldt, Enno Henn, Sitao Wang, Lutz Zybell, Kai Uhlig) from the Institute of Polymer Materials (headed by Prof. Markus Stommel) of the IPF at DESY P03 beamline.
Nine graduates from the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology present their collections at Neo.Fashion in Berlin.
A new type of pure synthetic leather meets the high requirements of the European Ecodesign Regulation. Made from a bio-based plastic, it is biodegradable and meets the requirements for a closed recycling process.
On May 15 and 16, the kick-off meeting of the REWIND project took place in Valencia. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) are one of 14 partners from seven countries. REWIND deals with composite waste in the wind energy sector. It is funded by Horizon Europe and CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency).
The FTB of the HSNR celebrates its 15th birthday as part of the recruiting fair "MG ZIEHT AN". Textile students put their knowledge to practical use here.
DITF present the Digital Textile Micro Factory at drupa. Together with international partners from industry and research, the DITF will be presenting a fully networked on-demand production of sports products at drupa's touchpoint textile - from virtual design to the finished product.
