#Research & Development

2025-07-31

Roshan Paul appointed as Full Professor by invitation at UBI, Portugal

Roshan Paul, Ph.D. (Tech.) was recently honoured with the position of Full Professor (by invitation) Professor Catedrático Convidado by the Rector, Prof. Mário Lino Barata Raposo of University of Beira Interior (UBI), Portugal https://www.ubi.pt/en. This highest position was offered to him in recognition of his outstanding scientific contributions, particularly for pioneering sustainable innovations in textile processing technology.

(f.l.t.r.): Professor Dr Roshan Paul, Professor Dr Mário Lino Barata Raposo (Rector, University of Beira Interior), Professor Dr Mário Marques Freire (Head of the Faculty of Engineering) and Professor Dr Nuno José Ramos Belino (Head of the Department of Textile Science and Technology) © 2025 ITA

Roshan Paul was serving as a Professor (by invitation) in UBI from 2015 onwards. He works as Platform Leader of the Smart Finishing Group at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University.

Professor Paul was also invited to join the Fiber Materials and Environmental Technologies (FibEnTech) https://fibentech.ubi.pt/en/about research unit. FibEnTech is a unique research unit that brings together fundamental and applied research skills for the development and characterisation of fibrous, structured and composite materials for the textile, paper and packaging industries.

ITA Director Professor Thomas Gries congratulates Roshan Paul on his impressive achievement: "We are very proud to have such a great technologist Professor Paul in our ranks."

"It was indeed a great honour for me to accept this eminent position at UBI, and I am thankful to the Rector and my colleagues", says Professor Paul.

ITA postdoc Dr Leonie Beek is revolutionising oil filtration with a bionic textile

On various biological surfaces, oil is adsorbed from water surfaces and transported along the leaf. In her dissertation, ITA Postdoc Dr Leonie Beek transferred this effect to a technical textile using her Bionic Oil Absorber (BOA), which can remove up to 4 litres of diesel per hour from water at technological readiness level 4. For this development, Dr Beek was awarded the Paul Schlack Prize 2025 for her dissertation ‘Bionic textiles for oil-water separation modelled on superhydrophobic biological surfaces’ on 10 September 2025. The award ceremony took place during the opening event of the Dornbirn GFC Global Fiber Congress in Austria.

Cooperation between Germany and India (Tamil Nadu) in the field of AI-supported manufacturing, robotics and smart textiles

The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) and the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University are planning to cooperate in the future in the field of AI-supported manufacturing, robotics and smart textiles. At the same time, the aim is to promote talent exchange and a sustainable Indian-German partnership.

DigiCafé – Espresso meets Industry 4.0

Drink coffee and learn about Industry 4.0 in a fun way – that's what ITA PhD student Rosario Othen has made possible with his digital espresso machine. Rosario equipped the Quickmill espresso machine with a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, programmable pump, integrated scale and current measurement.

Closing the Loop in the Textile Industry: Value Creation in the State of Brandenburg

How can the state of Brandenburg benefit from a circular textile industry? This question is addressed in the new policy paper "Closing the loop in the textile industry: Value creation in the state of Brandenburg." Based on the „TexPHB“ feasibility study funded by the Brandenburg Ministry of Climate Protection, it shows how textile waste can be integrated into new value chains.

Better, faster, bio-based: Functional new Plastic alternatives

How can new bio-based and biohybrid materials with improved features be developed faster? Six Fraunhofer institutes are jointly exploring this question in the SUBI²MA flagship project, using an innovative bio-based polyamide developed by Fraunhofer researchers as a model. Its specific properties make it a promising alternative to fossil-based plastics.

A smarter way to verified Chemical Compliance

Hohenstein and GoBlu Drive Innovation in Sustainable Supply Chain Management As regulatory demands, customer expectations, and sustainability goals continue to grow, the ability to manage chemical compliance and data across complex supply chains has become critical. Hohenstein and The BHive® by GoBlu are initiating a strategic partnership to enhance chemical management in the textile sector. The collaboration delivers more than just a service – it provides an integrated, future-ready solution for brands, manufacturers and suppliers seeking trusted chemical management and credible sustainability.

Rieter reports stable order backlog and strategic progress – outlook for 2025 adjusted

In its Investor Update 2025, Rieter announced an order intake of CHF 203.9 million in the third quarter and CHF 559.3 million after nine months, reflecting a continued cautious investment climate in the textile machinery sector. Sales totaled CHF 121.5 million in the third quarter and CHF 457.7 million for the first nine months of the year, while the order backlog stood at around CHF 590 million as of September 30, 2025.