#Industry 4.0 / Digitalization

2023-06-22

Dr. Alisa Rupenyan to head up first endowed professorship for artificial intelligence at ZHAW

In October 2022, the Rieter Group, in conjunction with the Johann Jacob Rieter Foundation, announced its support for an Endowed Professorship in Industrial Artificial Intelligence at the ZHAW School of Engineering. Dr. Alisa Rupenyan will assume the new Professorship on September 1, 2023. She will advance teaching and research in neurosymbolic approaches for industrial applications of artificial intelligence.

Since 2018, Dr. Alisa Rupenyan has been leading a research group for Advanced Control and Automation at inspire AG. This company is the strategic partner of ETH Zurich for knowledge and technology transfer in the field of production engineering. In this capacity, she manages research projects on process optimization, industrial control, and machine learning for applications closely related to manufacturing. She is also Chief Scientist at the Automatic Control Laboratory of ETH Zurich and an expert at the Swiss innovation agency, Innosuisse. Previously, as Head of Application Development, she designed industrial sorting solutions at QualySense AG, a Swiss startup in the field of robotics and agricultural technology. After completing a Master's degree in Laser Physics at the University of Sofia in Bulgaria, Dr. Alisa Rupenyan received her PhD from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, followed by a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship at ETH Zurich.

The new Endowed Professorship at the Center for Artificial Intelligence at the ZHAW School of Engineering is specifically dedicated to the development and application of principle-based, neurosymbolic-inspired learning in relation to processes in production and service. These processes combine machine learning with knowledge-based systems. Basic and advanced modules will also be offered for the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Data Science as well as for the Master of Science in Engineering. A separate research group is being created for this purpose.

As already announced in October 2022, the Professorship will be financed in equal parts by the Rieter Group and the Johann Jacob Rieter Foundation over a period of six years, with an annual contribution of CHF 300 000. For Rieter, the commitment is related to the implementation of its technology leadership strategy. The contribution of the Johann Jacob Rieter Foundation to sponsoring the Professorship is in the spirit of the Winterthur Cluster Initiative.

textile.4U publishes special edition “Top 100 Textile Recycling Companies 2025”

With a comprehensive 176-page special edition, textile.4U is dedicating its latest issue entirely to one of the most dynamic and influential topics in today’s textile industry: textile recycling. The new issue, published exclusively in high-quality print, presents the Top 100 textile recycling companies researched and selected by TexData – organizations that already play a key role in the transition to circular textiles or are expected to have a significant impact in the near future.

Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 signed by Governor

Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) is proud to announce that Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, has been signed into law by the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom. This groundbreaking legislation establishes the country’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) textile recycling program, marking a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat waste and promote sustainability.

Modtissimo promotes sustainability with 28 coordinates in the Green Circle

Modtissimo is proving more and more to be a textile and clothing show that delivers the latest innovations in the area of sustainability, with the iTechStyle Green Circle being the main showcase for companies' creations. In this 60+4 edition, taking place on 12 and 13 September, 28 coordinates will be exhibited in a section organised by CITEVE and curated by Paulo Gomes.

The EU and Egypt team up to mobilise private sector investments at Investment Conference and sign a Memorandum of Understanding underpinning €1 billion in macro-financial assistance for Egypt

At the EU-Egypt Investment Conference, co-organised by the EU and the Government of Egypt on 29-30 June, the EU and Egypt are teaming up to intensify private sector investments in Egypt. They are also signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the disbursement to Egypt of up to €1 billion in Macro-Financial Assistance.

Reifenhäuser wins German Design Award for new user interface

At K 2025 in Düsseldorf, the Reifenhäuser Group unveiled its new company-wide machine user interface, which offers a uniform design language for blown film, flat film, and nonwoven lines – and stands out for its particularly simple operation. The overall concept impressed not only customers, but also the jury of the German Design Awards, who honored the system with the prestigious design prize during the trade fair.

Lenze at ITMA Asia 2025: Smart, Robust and Cost-Efficient Motor Drive System IE5/IE6 for the Textile Future

At the world's largest trade fair for textile and apparel technology, ITMA Asia (October 28-31, 2025 in Singapore), Lenze will be presenting innovative automation solutions for the textile value chain in Hall 7, Stand B201. The focus will be on energy-efficient drive packages, modular machine concepts and scalable software solutions - developed for mechanical engineers and end users who rely on sustainable technologies. Lenze has been a reliable partner to the textile industry for over 77 years.

Toray develops recycling technology that retains carbon fiber strength and surface quality

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a recycling technology that can decompose diverse carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) made from thermosetting resins while retaining the strength and surface quality of those fibers. The company drew on this technology to create a nonwoven fabric employing recycled carbon fibers.

Panty liners prevent bacterial vaginosis

Worldwide, almost one third of women of childbearing age suffer from bacterial vaginosis. This is when the sensitive microbiome of the vagina becomes unbalanced. Such a disorder of the vaginal flora can cause urogenital infections, abscesses on the ovaries or fallopian tubes or premature births. This significantly increases the risk of infertility in women and of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or HIV.

PERFORMANCE DAYS sets benchmarks with record attendance & strong industry presence

With around 4,500 professional visitors and 515 exhibitors, PERFORMANCE DAYS closed its doors on October 30, 2025, after two highly successful days in Munich. Expanded show areas, an international audience, a top-class Expert Talks program, and an inspiring DAY 0 Conference with an innovative concept underlined one thing clearly: PERFORMANCE DAYS has become the leading business platform for the functional textile industry.