#Research & Development

2019-05-23

Know-how improves a company’s profile

Review TITV Workshop (c) 2019 KARL MAYER

The second workshop, “Additive manufacturing for the textile industry”, showed once again that looking beyond the boundaries of technology creates synergist effects and generates ideas for new products. This series of events was begun successfully in January 2018 and was continued on 13 May 2019.

Second workshop entitled, “Additive manufacturing for the textile industry”, brought all of KARL MAYER’s technologies together on 13.05.2019

The next event was again organised by the Textilforschungsinstitut Thüringen-Vogtland e.V., TITV (Textile Research Institute Thuringia-Vogtland) and held at KARL MAYER in Obertshausen. “We see real potential in the new technologies. As one of the leading, global textile machinery manufacturers, we believe, therefore, that we have a responsibility to promote their development,” said Arno Gärtner, the CEO of KARL MAYER, in his welcoming address. Opportunities have opened up in the areas of design, construction and product characteristics especially, as well as by shortening the value-added processes and bringing them closer to the consumer.

Roughly 80 guests were keen to learn more about the opportunities on offer. They came from companies involved in conventional warp knitting, textile machine building, filament production and the manufacture of 3D printers, as well as from institutes and universities. The guests also included users of textiles and 3D printing processes. The extensive programme of papers certainly gave them their money’s worth. The nine speakers were experts in industry and research, and presented papers on process, machine and materials technology used in 3D printing, and also showed the results of research into end-uses.

During the workshop, KARL MAYER also presented its new TEXTILE MAKERSPACE. Like the workshop, the aim of this innovations platform is to bring together the two worlds of additive manufacturing and the textile industry – a goal that was achieved perfectly on 13 May. The guests listened with great interest to the words of Michael Kieren, the chief organiser of the TEXTILE MAKERSPACE, who spoke on the opportunities and initial results of this new platform for pioneering companies. In particular, these include the customised incorporation of electrically conductive yarns on the warp knitting machine, and the 3D printing of warp-knitted textiles.

“In particular, 3D printing is an area in which many companies have already been actively engaged to some extent,” says Michael Kieren, when speaking about the conversations he had had with participants of the workshop in the TEXTILE MAKERSPACE. “Most of their ideas have been directed at products with a unique selling point, but could be transformed just by using suitable technologies.” KARL MAYER would be involved in this process as an expert partner.

New business momentum for the Turkish warp knitting industry

Warp knitting companies can look forward to new opportunities for their business development when they visit the KARL MAYER stand at ITM. At the important trade fair in Istanbul, the industry leader will be presenting selected solutions to support customers in a market that is as important as it is difficult. The focus will be on flexibility and speed.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

TERIS reaches milestone: Fraunhofer consortium develops new standards for tire analysis

In the “TERIS” project, the Fraunhofer institutes ICT, IGD, and IWM—led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF—have reached a decisive milestone. For the first time, the teams aim to generate, analyse, and predict tire wear in the laboratory in a standardized and practical manner. As part of this milestone, results are now available on reference abrasion, particle analysis, tribological models, AI-based surface analysis, a test bench concept, and methods for accelerated aging and VOC detection. The tire industry, testing services, and environmental agencies will in future benefit from reliable, rapid laboratory procedures for emissions assessment.

Geotextiles made from recycled materials: GREEN leads the way into the industry

For the industry, recycled materials are creating new opportunities in geotextile production. In the GREEN project, the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE demonstrates that recycled polypro-pylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and high-density polyeth-ylene (HDPE) can be processed into nonwovens, fibers, and membranes that meet industrial requirements. This creates opportunities for use in existing production lines and new value chains in the geotextile market.

2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

The Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen e. V. (proRWTH) looked back on a successful year of support at their 2026 general meeting. The meeting took place at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen and was combined with a joint session of the Executive Board and the Administrative Board. Before the general meeting began, participants were given a guided tour of ITA, providing them with fascinating insights into current research and development topics in textile engineering.

YKK develops concept EXCELLA® zipper tape using nonwoven fabric partially derived from used clothing

YKK Corporation has developed a concept version of its premium EXCELLA® zipper series made from nonwoven fabric sheets created by fiberizing used clothing and other textile materials. Based on a proposal by fashion designer Yuima Nakazato, this item was created as a result of collaboration between Nakazato, Seiko Epson Corporation and YKK. The concept zipper was incorporated as a material component for pieces in the newest YUIMA NAKAZATO Couture Collection, “INFERNO,” which was unveiled in Paris, France on July 8, 2026.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris highlights evolving global sourcing landscape

From 31 August to 2 September 2026, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will bring together more than 1,000 international exhibitors at Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. This edition reflects the new global balance of textile and apparel sourcing, highlighting a strong diversity of sourcing countries — some unexpected.

Dedicated car seat model of SHIMA SEIKI’s P-CAM® R Cutting Machine unveiled

Leading Japanese textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, showed a special version of its P-CAM® R multi-ply computerized cutting machine dedicated to the production of car seats for the first time, at a private exhibition held over two days on Thursday, July 2nd and Friday, July 3rd at the Kariya City Industrial Promotion Center in Aichi Prefecture.

Katharina Obergruber appointed to the Management Board of Sandler AG

The Supervisory Board of Sandler AG has appointed Katharina Obergruber to the company’s Management Board. Effective September 1, 2026, the Board will consist of Philipp Ebbinghaus (CEO), Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (currently CCO, future COO), and Katharina Obergruber (CCO). Katharina Obergruber, currently Chief Sales Officer Hygiene and member of the Management Team of Sandler AG, will assume responsibility for all sales activities as Chief Commercial Officer. She will assume this role from Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, who will focus primarily on production and supply chain topics.