#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.

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.

Panty liners prevent bacterial vaginosis

Worldwide, almost one third of women of childbearing age suffer from bacterial vaginosis. This is when the sensitive microbiome of the vagina becomes unbalanced. Such a disorder of the vaginal flora can cause urogenital infections, abscesses on the ovaries or fallopian tubes or premature births. This significantly increases the risk of infertility in women and of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or HIV.

DITF send a signal for climate protection

The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) have successfully implemented extensive investments in photovoltaic systems at their site in Denkendorf. The systems installed on the roofs of the buildings and covered parking lots have a total installed capacity of 840 kilowatt peak (kWp). The DITF invested 1.6 million euros in this with the support of the state of Baden-Württemberg. The system was ceremonially put into operation on September 17, 2025.

4.2 million Euros for research into textile recycling

Around the world, used textiles are still rarely recycled and pile up into huge mountains of waste. A recent study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) drew attention to this problem. However, the low recycling rate is also due to the fact that only a small percentage of used textiles are actually suitable for recycling into high-quality materials and for demanding applications. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are addressing this problem with their research.

Exchange data between textile companies openly, securely and cost-effectively without a central platform – ITA makes it possible

The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University has launched a new demonstrator for an open and secure data space in the textile industry at the Digital Innovation Centre Europe (DICE). For the first time, the demonstrator shows directly and clearly how companies can share their data securely with each other without the need for a central platform. Data exchange is based on shared, freely usable technical foundations.

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Innovation center for textile circular economy inaugurated

Just over eight months after the foundation stone was laid, the new Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy was officially inaugurated today at TITK Rudolstadt. Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt, TITK Director Benjamin Redlingshöfer, and other guests of honor cut the ribbon to the modern building complex and viewed the premises, which are now ready for occupancy. The “DICE – Demonstration and Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy” is TITK's largest single investment to date. The Free State of Thuringia supported the total cost of €11.5 million with €8 million in GRW and FTI funding.

Cinte Techtextil China 2026: redefining business encounters for trending sub-sectors and cutting-edge technologies

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Epson launches SureColor G9000: high-production Direct-To-Film printer delivering greater productivity and reliability

Epson today announces the launch of the SureColor G9000, a new high-production Direct-To-Film (DTFilm) printer designed to meet growing global demand for flexible and efficient textile transfer printing. Expanding Epson’s DTFilm line-up alongside the SC-G6000, the SC-G9000 introduces enhanced speed, reliability and ease of maintenance for commercial garment decorators and textile producers.