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#Industry 4.0 / Digitalization

The Digital Capability Center (DCC) welcomes Microsoft as a new partner at the DCC Network

Microsoft Deutschland GmbH and Digital Capablity Center Aachen announced a cooperation between the world’s leading management consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, ITA Academy GmbH in cooperation with RWTH Aachen University as well as other leading technology companies. 
(c) 2020 ITA Aachen
(c) 2020 ITA Aachen


The DCC welcomes Microsoft as a new partner at the DCC Network: Visitors to the DCC Aachen can now experience and test the AI-based solution “Automated Quality Inspection”, which was developed with Microsoft's Azure Cognitive Services.

The DCC, with its motto Explore – Try – Apply, is a learning factory focused on Industrie 4.0 manufacturing. Visitors are invited to explore this realistic factory setting to learn firsthand about solutions that can enable companies to drive digital transformation and how to deploy such solutions along the entire value chain – from an initial customer inquiry through to development, production, delivery, and service. In hands-on workshops, participants will discover a systematic and targeted approach to unlock value from Industrie 4.0.


Sessions will also address management challenges around employee empowerment and acceptance of the changes brought about by organizational transformation. 

Participants can explore ways to tackle challenges they face in their own businesses and gain insight into key digital solutions and technologies such as real-time diagnostic tools and big data analytics, predictive maintenance, digital performance management, 3D printing, and robots.

DCC Aachen showcases the production of a smart wristband that can be individually customized by the workshop participants. The production line itself maps a typical brownfield scenario comprising a mix of older and modern machines, each with different controls and interfaces. The insights gained can be easily applied to a variety of practical applications in a wide range of industries. The DCC is designed to help workshop attendees learn how to use the latest digital technologies and increase productivity by applying them.


More News from Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA)

#Research & Development

TCLF: Resilient value chains in times of crises

The textiles, clothing, leather and footwear (TCLF) industry was at the centre of the webinar “Resilient value chains in times of crises”, which took place on 28 April 2026. Global supply chains continue to face increasing pressure, raw material dependencies are growing and economic uncertainties are affecting the entire sector.

#Research & Development

Elastic yarns to become more recyclable and environmentally friendly in future

On 29 April 2026, ITA student Tobias Dickmeiß was awarded a sponsorship prize by the Wilhelm Lorch-Stiftung for his innovative approach, to replacing conventional elastane with elastic yarns made from thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPC). Thanks to their thermoplastic nature and compatibility with typical polyesters used in the textile industry, elastic TPC yarns offer improved recyclability. Furthermore, the use of the melt-spinning process in yarn production eliminates the need for solvents that are harmful to the environment and human health.

#Research & Development

Walter Reiners Foundation Prize awarded to three ITA graduates

Sabina Dann, Lukas Balon and Annegret Storm from the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation Prize by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) for their master’s and bachelor’s theses. Peter Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards during Techtextil at the VDMA stand in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

#Research & Development

ITA spin-off Solid Air (SA) Dynamics reaches the semi-finals of the Rice Business Plan Competition

The ITA spin-off SA Dynamics has been nominated for the semi-finals of this year’s Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC), one of the world’s most prestigious start-up competitions, held at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

More News on Industry 4.0 / Digitalization

#ITM 2026

Driving digitalization, efficiency, and Smart Manufacturing across textiles and carpets

At this year’s ITM, BMSvision proudly showcases its next leap forward in digital manufacturing excellence. As a long-standing global pioneer in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for the textile and plastics industries, BMSvision continues to accelerate digital transformation by delivering powerful, data-driven solutions that boost productivity, enhance quality and support sustainable growth. Visit BMSvision at the Vandewiele booth in Hall 7, Booth 710, to experience the future of textiles manufacturing.

#Industry 4.0 / Digitalization

Textile ETP launches digital transformation strategy, calling for urgent collective action across the value chain

Textile ETP’s DigitX Innovation Hub published its strategic roadmap for the digital transformation of Europe's textile and apparel industry.

#Research & Development

Textilfabrik 7.0 launched: Mönchengladbach becomes a real-world lab for sustainable textile production

With the official kick-off event of the Textilfabrik 7.0 (T7), a major transformation project for the German textile and apparel industry has been launched in the Monforts Quarter in Mönchengladbach. At the “Textile Roundtable,” an event format organized by the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier, representatives from industry, research, politics, and the regional economy came together to jointly lay the foundation for CO₂-neutral, circular, and economically viable textile production in Germany.

#Man-Made Fibers

OnceMore® from Södra brings end-to-end traceability for circular Man-made Cellulosic Fibers (MMCF) using TextileGenesis

OnceMore® from Södra, the world’s first large-scale process for recycling blended fabrics into high‐quality dissolving pulp, will begin using TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, to strengthen traceability from raw material to retail across the value chain. OnceMore® produces dissolving pulp made from blended textile waste and wood sourced from responsibly managed Swedish forests. By integrating TextileGenesis, OnceMore® supports the growing need for verified data and secure, transparent tracking throughout increasingly complex supply chain.

Latest News

#Spinning

Barmag and Hitech Automation enter into partnership for an auto-doff system for texturing machines

Barmag (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. and Hitech Automation Solutions PVT LTD. of Surat, India, have agreed to an exclusive partnership to jointly market Hitech’s Doffmatic automation solution for Barmag’s proven manual eFK texturing machines. In many texturing facilities, manual doffing processes remain heavily operator-dependent – resulting in issues such as increased scrap, inconsistent quality, and limited productivity.

#ITM 2026

Uster’s new Recycling Opening Index guides spinners to the perfect blend

Uster AFIS 6 now offers the key data for better decisions when blending recycled fibers. Process control is decisive in determining the quality and economic outcome. The new R Recycling Module of AFIS 6 introduces the Recycling Opening Index (ROI), so spinners can optimize their circularity credentials. It was officially launched at ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye.

#HIGHTEX 2026

The heart of the technical textiles and nonwovens world will beat in Istanbul

Only 1 day remains until HIGHTEX 2026 International Technical Textiles and Nonwovens Exhibition opens its doors. Bringing together manufacturers, technology developers, investors, and industry professionals from around the world, HIGHTEX 2026 is preparing to showcase the innovations shaping the future of the industry. As the countdown to this major event continues, Istanbul is once again getting ready to become the meeting point of the global technical textiles industry.

#Man-Made Fibers

Grasim Industries announces fresh investment of ₹3094 Crore to expand Lyocell capacity

Grasim Industries Limited, the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group and a global leader in cellulosic fibres, today announced an investment of ₹3,094 crore, for Phase II Lyocell capacity of 110K TPA at Harihar, Karnataka. This expansion will consist of 2 lines of 55K TPA (150 Tons per day) each. The first line is expected to be commissioned by 2028, and the second line is expected to be commissioned by 2030.

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