#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2020-12-10

Frunk made of Ultra-Silent: greater driving range for electric cars

With demand for electric cars growing sharply, the need for lightweight components that enable a greater driving range for this category of vehicles is rising as well. Autoneum now offers a front trunk made of Ultra-Silent – the lightweight, noise-reducing and sustainable technology bestseller for underbodies – particularly developed for electric vehicles.

Acceptance, demand and sales of electric vehicles depend in large part on their driving range. The lighter e-models and their individual components are, the greater their range. With its innovative frunk for electric vehicles, Autoneum now offers the optimal solution for more storage space and longer driving pleasure. The multifunctional frunk – short for front trunk – out of Ultra-Silent is particularly light thanks to its textile fibers and replaces the heavier plastic solutions consisting of several individual components that are common in electric vehicles today. With Autoneum’s lightweight frunk, electric cars save on average three kilograms in weight, which results in lower electric energy consumption and higher driving range.

At the same time, the Ultra-Silent-based frunk also improves vehicle acoustics. Contrary to popular belief, noise-reducing components are essential for electric models, too. Because there is no engine noise, external and internal sound sources such as the e-motor and compressors as well as tire noise are more audible.

Thanks to their sound-absorbing textile material composition, the Ultra-Silent components reduce annoying noises at the source. Additionally, synergies with other acoustic components have a positive impact on the vehicle’s overall acoustic comfort. The frunk made of Ultra-Silent is highly sustainable as well: It is made entirely of PET and contains up to 70% of recycled material.

Autoneum’s lightweight innovation is already in pre-development for a model of a new electric vehicle manufacturer and available in Europe, North America and China.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

ANDRITZ sets focus on textile recycling and durable nonwoven production technologies at ITMA Asia 2025

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025 (Hall 2, D106). ANDRITZ will showcase its MMCF production plants, textile sorting and recycling, bast fiber processing, needlepunch, airlay, and life-cycle service technologies, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Discover how these innovations can grow your business opportunities and support a greener future.

OUTLOOK™ 2025: Charting a sustainable and innovative future for the Nonwovens Industry

EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry. The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.

Global Nonwovens Alliance unveils Inaugural Board, advancing collaboration and growth worldwide

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), a tax-exempt federation jointly founded by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, announces the appointment of its founding Board of Directors. This group of leaders represents some of the most influential executives across the nonwovens value chain and reflects GNA’s mission to foster global collaboration, innovation, and growth in the industry.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.