#Research & Development

2022-01-13

European cooperation for the production of oxide ceramic fibers

Meeting for the signing of the contract at DITF in Denkendorf; Dr. Erik Frank (1), Dr. Panagiotis Karagiozidis (2), Peter Steiger (1), Dr. Bernd Clauß (1), Dr. Nicolas Miègeville (3), Dr. Stephanie Pfeifer (1), Dr. Yves Boussant-Roux (3), Prof. Dr. Michael Buchmeiser (1) (from left to right). (1) German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF), (2) ProGloTex GmbH, (3) Saint-Gobain Ceramic Materials. Photo: DITF

The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) have signed an agreement with Saint-Gobain Ceramics (France) on cooperation and joint development in the field of metal oxide ceramic fibers.

Saint-Gobain is a French group listed on the stock exchange, that designs, manufactures and distributes materials and solutions for the construction and other industrial application markets. The companies united under its umbrella employ approximately 167,000 people with annual sales of over 38 billion euros. Saint-Gobain is represented in 72 countries worldwide. Saint-Gobain is, among other things, a manufacturer of innovative ceramic materials and products in its Ceramics Business Unit.

The cooperation aims at jointly creating, ultimately, the production of metal oxide ceramic fibers in Europe.

At DITF, research and development in the field of ceramic fibers has been carried out continuously since 1990, so that extensive and well-founded know-how exists. The results and status of the research have been presented in a number of scientific publications and at various international conferences, which drew the attention of several companies to the research results and expertise of the DITF. After an extensive evaluation and negotiations with several potential partners, Saint-Gobain emerged as the ideal collaboration partner due to the complementary expertise of the two partners.

Metal oxide ceramic fibers are an essential component of fiber-reinforced ceramic materials (CMC: Ceramic Matrix Composites), which are increasingly important for a wide range of high-temperature applications. Fiber reinforcement produces a damage-tolerant ceramic material that is no longer brittle and is superior to monolithic ceramics, making it highly desirable from a technical and commercial point of view. Potential applications include components in industrial furnaces, charge carriers for temperature treatment and, in the high-tech sector, components in high efficiency stationary gas turbines, lower fuel consumption aircraft gas turbines and in space applications. A significant increase in the industrial use of CMCs is forecast for the coming years, and with it, a growing demand for ceramic fibers.

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Textile climate control system in workwear – exhibition at the 2026 SME Innovation Day!

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Meadow Grove Research joins ITMF as Corporate Member

Meadow Grove Research is a commodity research firm specializing in supply, demand, and trade analysis in cotton and other soft commodities. Providing clarity to the complex nature of the global fiber supply chain is one of its most formidable services. The firm thrives on customer engagement and providing the best framework for critical decisions.

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2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

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Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.