#Research & Development

2021-12-16

ITA wins with partners second place in the AVK Innovation Award 2021 in the "Research and Science" category

On 23 November, the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University and its partners AEROVIDE GmbH, Altropol Kunststoff GmbH, Basamentwerke Böcke GmbH, TechnoCarbon Technologies GbR were honoured with the second place of the AVK Innovation Award in the category Research & Science with "StoneBlade - Lightweight Construction with Granite for the Wind Industry".

The innovation enables the reduction of non-recyclable material in rotor blade construction. At the same time, the weight is reduced and the mechanical properties for the stability of wind turbines are increased. For this purpose, glass-fibre reinforced plastic is replaced in the blade components by hard rock as a natural, cost-effective and recyclable lightweight material. The rock slabs, ground to a thickness of a few millimetres, are embedded in a fibre composite laminate with carbon fibres and thus stabilised for changing load cases. The prestressed material is pressure-stable in the composite and can absorb tensile forces in the case of permanent alternating loads without any loss of stiffness.

The AVK - Industrievereinigung Verstärkte Kunststoffe (German Reinforced Plastics Industry Association) presented its prestigious innovation awards to companies, institutes and their partners during the new JEC Forum DACH event in Frankfurt am Main. Three composites innovations from each of the three categories "Products and Applications", "Processes and Methods" and "Research and Science" were honoured.

ITA has developed a washable digital smart jacket with real-time feedback and an AI-powered app for rehabilitation

As part of the PhysioTaix research project, the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University is developing a digital smart jacket with integrated sensors. The jacket is washable and reusable; it tracks movements during rehabilitation exercises in real time and transmits the data to an app.

From smart jackets to laser technology: Mona Neubaur explores Textile Factory 7.0

As part of her summer tour, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Mona Neubaur, visited Textilfabrik 7.0 in Mönchengladbach to experience the project’s innovations first-hand. Under the motto “smart and clean”, the visit focused on innovative technologies and sustainable alternatives for textile production - from smart jackets to the decolourisation of textiles using fungal cultures.

Networking Day 2026: Industry stakeholders unite around textile recycling

In 2026, the Industry Research Group (IRG) Polymer Recycling once again brought together some of the key stakeholders in textile recycling for its annual Networking Day. This year, the event took place at EREMA’s premises in Ansfelden, Austria. It brought together key players from across the textile recycling value chain for a day of structured exchange and in-depth discussions.

An eco-friendly alternative to fluorocarbon treatments

Protective and outdoor clothing derives its durable water-, dirt- and oil- repellent properties from the application of fluorinated polymers or per- and polyfluorinated low-molecular- weight chemicals (PFCs). The beneficial properties thus achieved on textiles are offset by environmental and human health risks. For manufacturers of sports, medical, protective and automotive textiles, researchers at the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. and the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research have developed liquid-applied dispersions and solutions to functionalise textiles without the use of fluorine.

180 years of TESTEX: From Zurich silk testing to global certification

For 180 years, TESTEX has developed alongside the textile industry while maintaining the same underlying purpose: creating trust through independent and reliable measurement. Founded in Zurich in 1846 as the Zurich Silk Conditioning Institute, TESTEX has grown from a local institution serving the silk trade into an international Swiss testing and certification institute for textiles and leather.

Moving Advanced Recycling from Innovation to Implementation

The Advanced Recycling Conference 2026 explores technologies, markets, financing and scale-up of innovative recycling solutions for waste streams including mixed plastic waste, textiles and PVC. Europe’s chemical and materials sector faces growing pressure to close carbon loops, strengthen raw-material safety and resilience and meet increasingly ambitious EU recycling targets. Against this backdrop, the Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) will bring together industry leaders, technology providers, researchers, innovators and policy-makers on 17–18 November 2026 in Cologne, Germany.

New Cotton Review examines competitiveness, market risk, and opportunities

From moving record volumes of Brazilian cotton to market, to managing price volatility, unlocking Ethiopia’s production potential, and strengthening African textile trade, the latest edition of Cotton: Review of the World Situation examines some of the most consequential opportunities and challenges facing the global cotton industry.

Long John puts KARL MAYER's RDJ 7/3 into operation and strengthens its position as a market leader

KARL MAYER has just unveiled its new RDJ 7/3 Jacquard Double Needle Bar Raschel Machine in the international trade press, and the innovation is already causing a stir in the market: The Long John Group, a leading manufacturer of performance footwear fabrics and a long-standing partner of renowned brands, was the first customer to invest in the new machine and celebrated its official launch at its Indonesian plant on August 20.

Patricia Urquiola in the Trend Space: Evolution and new design elements for Heimtextil 2027

At Heimtextil 2027, the Trend Space brings the Heimtextil Trends 27/28, curated by Alcova, to life. Within this framework, Heimtextil’s collaboration with Patricia Urquiola continues into its third year in 2027. In the Trend Space, the architect and designer presents three sculptures: alongside the familiar element “Bambi”, Urquiola is developing two new pieces specifically for Heimtextil. Thereby, she offers her unique interpretation of the trend theme “The Performance of Everyday Living”.