#Research & Development

2020-05-06

DITF produce nonwovens for certified FFP 2 protective masks

Crucial during the corona epidemic: suitable protective clothing. (Photo: ©iStockphoto.com/Igor Ploskin)

As of this week, it is mandatory to wear masks on buses and trains and when shopping in Germany. However, protective masks are still in short supply. While simple mouth and nose covers are currently sufficient for everyday life, FFP 2 or FFP 3 masks are urgently needed in hospitals and in the care sector. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) in Denkendorf have converted their research facilities to produce certified FFP 2 protective masks in order to be able to produce 200,000 certified FFP 2 protective masks in the coming weeks together with partners.

Research pilot plant was converted for production

The technical center of the textile research center in Denkendorf is not actually designed for the production of nonwovens for FFP 2 masks. Nevertheless, the team from the Nonwoven Technology Division managed to convert the plant in two weeks so that the material produced could achieve a separation efficiency of FFP 2 level. This material will be used to produce masks that will be worn by doctors and nurses, but also by firefighters and police during the corona pandemic.

The technical equipment is not the only difficulty the team has to master. For example, the scientists are still waiting for the delivery of spunbonded fabric in which the meltblown will be embedded. "We were lucky, however, with the starting material polypropylene for the meltblown, which is not only delivered quickly, but is even donated to us by the company Borealis," explains Professor Götz T. Gresser, board member at the DITF.

The protective masks are assembled by the Junker company and then tested and certified by DEKRA. After successful certification, they are delivered to the Ministry for Social Affairs and Integration of Baden-Württemberg, which coordinates the supply of protective equipment. "As a research institute we cannot produce large quantities, but any quantity helps", emphasizes Professor Michael R. Buchmeiser, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the DITF.

This is why the DITF is not only entering into production, but has been advising companies and organizations in their search for suitable filter media for textile masks since February. The scientists provide information on the normative requirements that the materials must meet and where they can be tested and certified. The DITF were also able to put the Ministry of Social Affairs in touch with one of their network partners who will supply further four million mouth and nose protection masks (MNS).

The DITF also use their procurement infrastructure to support institutions that are currently unable to purchase protective clothing on the market. In this way, 1,000 MNS masks could be passed on to the Denkendorf community.

Stylish design made from sustainable materials – two DITF research projects receive Techtextil Innovation Awards

Materials made from domestic, renewable raw materials reduce CO₂ emissions, prevent microplastics from entering the environment, and close the material cycle. The German Institutes for Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are developing nature-based alternatives to synthetically produced and predominantly petroleum-based materials. Two research projects have received a prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award. NUO Flexholz and the lignin-coated material FormLig demonstrate that sustainable concepts can meet high standards of functionality and design. Both projects were carried out in close collaboration with industry.

Fabolose: Fabricating vegan and circular leather alternatives from bio-tech-derived cellulose

Fabulose is an EU funded project coordinated by the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF). Its consortium consists of leading research institutes, biotech innovators, and industry stakeholders who aim to create high-performance, biobased and recyclable leather-like fabrics, using efficient biotech production routes for bacterial cellulose, cyanophycin and bacterial pigments

More safety and comfort for protective clothing thanks to auxetic fabrics

When everyday materials are pulled, they stretch or elongate in the direction of the pull and become narrower in cross-section. We can also observe this property in two-dimensional textiles. Auxetic structures behave differently here. They have the striking property of not changing under tensile stress or even increasing their width or thickness. These properties are advantageous, for example, in protective textiles or textile filter media. The DITF are researching auxetic fabrics for various applications.

Smart textiles can also be sustainable, eco-friendly and AI-powered – ITA at Techtextil 2026

Sports shoes made from algae, leggings made from mushrooms, filtering (diesel) oil from water, 4D textiles, recyclable, sustainable and featuring AI – this is what the ITA Group is presenting at three individual stands run by ITA Aachen, ITA Augsburg gGmbH and ITA Technologietransfer GmbH on the joint stand of Elmatex in hall 12.0 D05.

Hohenstein publishes 2025 Sustainability Report

The testing and research service provider Hohenstein has published its latest sustainability report, outlining key progress and strategic initiatives. The report focuses on ambitious CO₂ reduction targets, the company’s new mission statement and the systematic expansion of sustainable services for customers worldwide.

ITM presents cutting-edge textile research at Techtextil

From April 21 to 24, 2026, the Chair of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TUD Dresden University of Technology will be presenting its current research at Techtextil, the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. In Hall 12.0, Stand D41, the team will be demonstrating how it combines high-performance fibers, AI-supported digital development tools and innovative machine technologies to develop textile solutions for lightweight construction, construction, medical technology and sustainable production from atom to product.

Fraunhofer IAP paves the way for "Green" carbon fibers

A new pilot plant in Guben is set to enable the production of bio-based carbon fibers. The plant is part of the Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz and will make an important contribution to the transformation of the Lausitz region—from a traditionally raw material- and basic industry-oriented region to a hub for innovative high-performance materials. The German federal government and the state of Brandenburg are providing the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP with 53.3 million euros for this purpose.

Kornit Digital expands digital production into footwear and technical textiles with Presto MAX PLUS

Kornit Digital (NASDAQ: KRNT) (“Kornit” or the “Company”), a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand digital fashion and textile production, today unveiled the Kornit Presto MAX PLUS, a new roll-to-roll system expanding digital manufacturing into footwear, automotive interiors, military camouflage, high-performance sportswear, and high-end furnishings. Debuting at Texprocess 2026 in Frankfurt, Presto MAX PLUS enables entirely new applications for on-demand textile production.

Covestro, FILK Freiberg, and OUT e.V. develop flexible, conductive polymer smart textile system

As the smart textiles market continues to grow across healthcare, personal protection, sportswear, and automotive applications, developers are seeking new ways to integrate electronic functionality directly into textiles, without the rigidity and complexity of conventional wiring. To address this challenge, FILK Freiberg Institute, an independent research institution with expertise in polymer coatings for textile applications, collaborated with Optotransmitter-Umweltschutz-Technologie (OUT) e.V. The joint project, funded under the German Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) program of the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE), focused on developing flexible, conductive polymer surfaces for next-generation smart textiles.