#Research & Development

2019-08-15

Visit of Korean business delegation in KICOX program at ITA

Korean company representatives at the ITA Copyright: NRW Invest

On 24 June 2019 the ITA hosted a delegation of Korean company representatives as part of a visit to the federal state of NRW organized by NRW Invest. First, the business location NRW in the middle of Europe was presented. The RWTH has a special significance here as a university of excellence as a research and development forge of the federal state. The close cooperation with companies from all over the world distinguishes the university in particular.

The aim of the visit was to present the ITA as one of the leading institutes of the RWTH to the Korean company representatives and to initiate cooperation’s. The ITA can look back on a successful history of research and development projects with Korean companies and research institutions. The expansion of this relationship is very fruitful for both sides. In particular, the topics of lightweight construction, recycling, Smart Textiles and medical technology met with great interest among visitors from Korea.

"Complex sensor technology for monitoring vital functions is developed in my company, but your technology for integration into textiles would offer my customers a comfort advantage.",one visitor noticed during the tour through the ITA lab and machine park. In this sense, the exchange between the ITA and Korea will be intensified in the future and the joint work with NRW Invest will be continued.

Pellet press enables thermomechanical textile recycling on a pilot scale at ITA

Since the end of 2025, the technical centre of the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University has been equipped with a pellet press from the manufacturer Amandus Kahl GmbH & Co. KG, Reinbek, Germany. This press can efficiently compact shredded synthetic textiles at a throughput of up to 25 kg/h and process them into pellets with a diameter of 4 mm.

Solid Air Dynamics wins second place at RWTH Innovation Award

On 30 January, RWTH spin-off Solid Air Dynamics was awarded second place in the RWTH Innovation Awards for its research in the field of aerogel fibres. Manufactured from renewable raw materials, aerogel fibres offer outstanding thermal insulation, are extremely lightweight and completely biodegradable, and can consist of over 90 per cent air.

Award-winning research for sustainable carbon fibre cycles

Sustainable recycling of carbon fibres is possible through targeted electrochemical surface modification, which makes the sizing of carbon fibres resistant to solvolysis. ITA PhD student Sabina Dann was awarded the MSW Award from RWTH Aachen University for her master's thesis on this development. The award ceremony took place on 12 November 2025 in Aachen.

Pioneer of the first hour: Michael Carus steps down after more than 30 years from nova-Institute’s Management

After more than three decades at the helm, founder and CEO Michael Carus is set to step down as head of the Renewable Carbon division on 1 March 2026. Lars Börger as the new CEO, will take over this key position of the nova-Institute together with COO Linda Engel, while Carus will remain with the research and consulting company as a senior advisor and shareholder. This change takes place after a one-year transition phase, as planned.

The nova-Institute establishes new Renewable Feedstock Department to lay the groundwork for industrial defossilisation

The transition from fossil-based to renewable carbon – sourced from biomass, CO₂ utilisation and recycling – is the cornerstone of a climate-neutral chemical industry. The nova-Institute’s new department is dedicated to providing the essential data, analyses and strategic roadmaps required to secure a reliable future feedstock supply and make this transition a commercial and ecological reality.

Barmag presents the next generation of POY production – energy-efficient and partial-automated

With POY 2.0, Barmag is introducing a completely redesigned spinning concept that takes the production of partially oriented yarn (POY) to a new level in terms of technology and economy. The solution, which was presented to a selected audience of experts for the first time at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025, was met with great enthusiasm: several yarn producers worldwide immediately expressed their interest in a pilot plant.

Textile‑to‑textile recycling leader Circulose joins Spinnova’s ecosystem to accelerate technology scale‑up

Textile‑to‑textile recycling leader Circulose joins Spinnova’s ecosystem (consortium) to help advance the scale‑up of Spinnova’s technology. Spinnova has actively sought partners to accelerate commercial scale‑up, and Circulose, as a key player in textile recycling, strengthens the ecosystem by providing a raw material that is in high demand across the industry.

UNIFI® introduces Luxel™: A Linen-inspired, easy-care performance yarn

Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI), the makers of REPREVE® and one of the world’s leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, today announced the launch of Luxel™, a groundbreaking yarn technology that combines the luxurious look and feel of linen with high-performance, easy-care, and textile-to-textile recycled materials.