#Research & Development

2024-08-22

Wood wool instead of crude oil: Scientists at TU Dresden develop sustainable biocomposites

In the "Lignowool_2" project, TUD researchers are developing a composite material made of wood wool and biodegradable, textile plastic fibers. The so-called lignowool composites represent a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. In future, they are to be used in the automotive industry for door panels and trunk floors, for example. This is a technical application of wood wool and promotes the use of natural materials.

Process chain for processing technical wood wool (lignowool composites) at TU Dresden, © Sebastian Siwek

Wood wool is used in everyday areas, for example as a cushioning filling and padding material in packaging, as an ignition aid, but also in horticulture and animal husbandry. It also has a load-bearing function in lightweight panels.

Due to its lack of malleability and low strength, conventional wood wool is currently not used beyond the areas mentioned. With the production of lignowool composites, the TUD scientists at the Chair of Wood Machinery and High Performance Materials Technology, together with the Institute of Textile Machinery and Fiber Materials Technology (ITM) and various practice partners, want to open up a new field of application for wood wool. In the first phase of the project, the technological feasibility of the composite materials was demonstrated. Now the knowledge gained is being implemented. Technical wood wool with previously unattained properties is created from solid wood by means of incisions made in a targeted manner and precise cutting. This is then combed with biopolymer fibers in a carding machine and thus structured. Further textile-technical process steps lead to pressable blanks, the so-called wood wool thermoplastic tapes. In the project, these are processed into prototypes for the above-mentioned automotive applications.

"The technical wood wool we process retains its typical wood properties. It is more stable than the previously established wood wool and has a high formability. It is also reproducible and can be processed using textile technology," explains project manager Sebastian Siwek. "By developing composites, we are closing a gap in the field of wood-based materials and increasing resource efficiency through a more holistic utilization of wood."

The project team is planning an industry-oriented pilot plant to test the process for broad application, further develop the wood wool manufacturing process and improve the combination of the various processing steps.

"Lignowool_2" will run for two and a half years and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The project sponsor is the Agency for Renewable Resources (Fachagentur für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V.).

Teaching Award for the Day Of The Faculty of mechanical science and engineering 2025

On June 28, 2025, almost 300 guests celebrated the Day of the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the Boulevardtheater Dresden. At this year's ceremony, over 60 graduates from the Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering and Natural Materials Technology and Material Science degree programs were given a ceremonial send-off into professional life, 9 doctoral graduates were congratulated on the successful completion of their dissertations and prizes worth a total of 13,500 euros were awarded.

Commissioning of the FRS 1800 high-temperature rheometer at the ITM

In March 2025, the new Furnace System 1800 (FRS 1800) high-temperature rheometer from Anton Paar was put into operation at the Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TU Dresden. The installation was carried out by Fabian Barth and Peter Brandes from Anton Paar in collaboration with Florian Pötzsch and Dr. Dilbar Aibibu from the ITM.

TU Dresden’s ITM and KOTMI sign MOU to promote research into recycled fibers and industrial textile applications

The Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TU Dresden and the Korea Textile Machinery Convergence Research Institute (KOTMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their collaboration in recycled fiber applications for industrial textile products. The agreement marks a significant step in fostering joint research and development in sustainable textile technologies.

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.

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.

How innovations drive BASF’s success

“Innovation has always been part of BASF’s DNA. Especially in these volatile times, it is crucial to leverage our innovative strength to develop competitive solutions that differentiate us as a company in our markets and give us a competitive edge,” said Dr. Stephan Kothrade, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF and Chief Technology Officer, at the company’s Research Press Briefing held today. To achieve this, BASF implemented its “Winning Ways” strategy about a year ago with the clear goal of becoming the preferred chemical company to enable its customers’ green transformation.

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.

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen: Let´s Talk about Cotton!

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, to be held on 25-27 March 2026 in Bremen’s parliament building on market square, once again sends a powerful signal for professional excellence and international dialogue. The focus is on the latest market trends and technical innovations throughout the entire value chain – from agriculture and quality assurance to processing and the circular economy. With its high-calibre speakers, the conference remains an indispensable forum for anyone involved in shaping the cotton industry scientifically, technically, or economically.