#Research & Development

2021-10-21

Research cooperation on sustainable biomaterials

Gustav Nyström, head of Empa's Cellulose & Wood Materials laboratory. Image: Empa

With the signing of a statement of cooperation, the BioProducts Institute at the University of British Columbia (BPI) and Empa are celebrating a new partnership to promote innovation and collaboration, furthering joint developments in the field of biobased solutions.

The BioProducts Institute is situated in Vancouver (Canada) and operates four research themes, which might be complementary to the research acitvities at Empa: 1. Biocatalytic transformation and engineering of biomass, Bio-nanoparticle enabled materials, Bio-based polymers and carbon materials and Biorefinery & Biofuels systems.

Empa joins Boreal Alliance

With this new cooperation agreement, Empa and BPI will seek to share best practices through knowledge exchange, co-involvement in scholarly meetings, fora, and conferences, and provide reciprocal access to research infrastructure and develop bilateral funding opportunities. The partnership will further advance Europe-Canada research collaboration in the sustainable use of renewable resources, building on the successes of prior exchanges. Empa will also join the Boreal Alliance, a transnational initiative co-founded by FinnCERES and BPI to aggregate research from nations along the Boreal belt to optimally utilize the forest resource and advance prosperity and well-being in balance with sustainable development.

Conference in Switzerland 2022

"Global collaboration platforms such as the Boreal Alliance has the potential to significantly accelerate innovation for the new bioeconomy. We at Empa are excited to take this next step and collaborate with UBC and BPI. Together we will act to advance biomaterials research, stimulate technology transfer and to educate new talents in the field. A joint conference is planned in Switzerland in May 2022 and will provide opportunities for a high level, in-depth sharing of knowledge and the nucleation of new research ideas for the future," says Gustav Nyström, head of Empa's Cellulose & Wood Materials laboratory.

“We are extremely excited to begin our partnership with Empa,” says Orlando Rojas, BPI Scientific Director. “BPI and Empa already entered in planning efforts dating back to two years ago, and now is the time to take action and our members are looking forward to starting new collaborations between the two institutions. The signing of this statement of cooperation will have a great visibility and will catalyze our efforts in research and development. With the Alliance being formed with Switzerland, Finland and Sweden, we are creating the largest cluster of research in the forest-based bioeconomy. Our planned program will incentivize interactions and innovations to open new routes for biomass valorization in next generation bioproducts.”

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

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.

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.

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.

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.