[pageLogInLogOut]

#Research & Development

ITA scientist Dr Frederik Cloppenburg awarded Karl Arnold Prize 2021

The textile researcher Dr Frederik Cloppenburg, scientist at the Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University, was honoured on 8 September 2021 with the Karl Arnold Prize of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences and Arts, endowed with 10,000 €, for his outstanding scientific achievements.

The background to Dr Cloppenburg's award is his interdisciplinary work within nonwovens production, his lucrative research in the field of artificial intelligence in the textile industry and his commitment to structural change in the Rhenish mining area with the help of scientific innovations. Dr Cloppenburg has been working as a research assistant at the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University since 2014, where he completed his doctorate. He is now in charge of the nonwovens technologies research group at the Aachen site. He is responsible for all nonwovens activities at the institute. In addition, in his function as Chief Digital Officer, he is responsible for digitalisation at ITA and the digitalisation of the institute's infrastructure and processes. Dr Cloppenburg's high international reputation in his field is evidenced by multiple publications and lectures on his research.

© source: private
© source: private


Dr Lisa Sofie Höckel from the RWI-Leibniz Institute for Economic Research was also honoured with the Karl Arnold Prize.


Background

For 30 years now, the Karl Arnold Prize has been awarded annually to young scientists and artists for outstanding research work or artistic achievements. The prize is named after the founder of the Academy, Minister President Karl Arnold, and is endowed with 10,000 euros. The prize money is donated by the Foundation of Friends and Sponsors of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences and Arts.



More News from Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA)

#Research & Development

Sustainable athletic wear made from bio-based Polyethylene

Conventional sports textiles made from petroleum-based synthetic fibres are to be replaced in the future by sustainable, bio-based, cooling textiles. Polyethylene, previously used mainly in the packaging industry, is thus qualified for use in textiles and, as a bio-based drop-in solution, offers a cost-effective, sustainable alternative for the future.

#Research & Development

India, ITA and innovation – enhanced cooperation in research, implementation and bilateral projects such as hydrogen mobility

The Indian Consul General, Dr Shuchita Kishore, visited the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University on 15 December to inspect the joint project between the ITA, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and industrial partners from India and Germany and to tour the ITA.

#Research & Development

Small tolerances, big impact and a recyclable alternative to elastane

ITA Master's student Janne Warnecke investigated tension differences over the fabric width in the weaving process and thereby contributed to quality assurance; ITA Bachelor's student Jasmin Roos found a basis for the development of recyclable yarns and textiles. For these developments, they were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation's Promotion and Sustainability Prizes on 27 November. Peter D. Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards at the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) in Aachen, Germany.

#Research & Development

IRG Polymer Recycling wraps up productive 2025 project cycle

The Industry Research Group (IRG) Polymer Recycling has completed another successful project year. Last week, partners from across the textile value chain met at the Institute for Textile Technology (ITA) at RWTH Aachen University for the full-term project meeting.

More News on Research & Development

#Research & Development

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.

#Research & Development

Sustainable design of Geosynthetics and roof underlayments made from recyclates

Is it possible to recover plastic recyclates from previously unused waste streams in order to produce high-quality fibers and films? How can bio-based polymer fibers be manufactured so as to allow adjustable biodegradability? These are the questions being addressed by researchers from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE in the Zirk-Tex project.

#Research & Development

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.

#Research & Development

Fraunhofer CCPE presents the “Monomaterial Design Set” – Innovative solutions for circular product design

Composite materials made from different types of plastic often extend the lifetime of products but make recycling more difficult in the circular economy. That is why Fraunhofer CCPE has developed the “Monomaterial Design Set”. This new approach helps to reduce the variety of plastics used in durable products and offers circular solutions for designers and product developers.

Latest News

#Fabrics

MUNICH FABRIC START: Between Attitude and Sensuality

The future begins where we reimagine it. After seasons of restraint, Spring.Summer 27 marks a conscious counter-trend: optimism, sensuality, and creative freedom are replacing pragmatism and neutrality. Physical presence and individuality are regaining importance – as a response to uncertainty, exhaustion, and algorithmic predictability. The overarching theme of PLEASURE stands for fashion as an emotional space, as an expression of attitude and cultural reflection. Colours, surfaces, and materials become vehicles for self-confidence and joie de vivre.

#Denim

organIQ seek: smart alternative to potassium permanganate

CHT Group announces new technical findings within its organIQ seek platform that significantly advance the transition toward permanganate-free denim bleaching. Through extensive industrial testing and application research, CHT confirms that organIQ seek can now be used with remarkable effectiveness as a substitute for potassium permanganate in spray bleach, while remaining aligned with sustainability expectations and cost realities in the European market. At the COLOMBIATEX in Medellín as well as at the Exintex in Puebla and the Kingpins Show in Amsterdam the CHT Group will present organIQ seek as an alternative to potassium permanganate.

#Functional Fabrics

PERFORMANCE DAYS: Focus topic shifts to the beginning of the value chain

Following the last Focus Topic in October 2025, which placed Textile-to-Textile Recycling at its core, PERFORMANCE DAYS continues to drive the conversation around circularity – this time with an expanded and more upstream perspective. The upcoming Focus Topic, “Textile to Textile: The Role of Collectors and Sorters,” presented during the spring edition on March 18–19, will spotlight one of the most essential yet often overlooked components of a functioning circular textile system: the efficient collection and sorting of post-consumer textiles.

#Knitting & Hosiery

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.

TOP