#Research & Development

2026-07-09

Tire wear, particle analysis, test bench development, material development

TERIS reaches milestone: Fraunhofer consortium develops new standards for tire analysis

In the “TERIS” project, the Fraunhofer institutes ICT, IGD, and IWM—led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF—have reached a decisive milestone. For the first time, the teams aim to generate, analyse, and predict tire wear in the laboratory in a standardized and practical manner. As part of this milestone, results are now available on reference abrasion, particle analysis, tribological models, AI-based surface analysis, a test bench concept, and methods for accelerated aging and VOC detection. The tire industry, testing services, and environmental agencies will in future benefit from reliable, rapid laboratory procedures for emissions assessment.

The project “Technology Platform for Tire Abrasion and the Identification of Its Emissions in Road Traffic (TERIS)” is making significant strides in tire and rubber-compound development. With the first milestone achieved and the project reviewed, the first important step has been successfully completed. This was also confirmed by the advisory board, composed of industry experts, which typically oversees such projects.

New standards for laboratory analysis and prediction of tire wear

The combination of different collection and measurement methods enables precise analysis of both suspended and settling particle fractions. In parallel, tribological models were developed that shed light—both experimentally and theoretically—on the relationship between load parameters, material properties, surface structure, and particle formation. This enables real-world abrasion processes to be specifically replicated in the laboratory.

A test chamber specialized in accelerated aging enables preconditioning of samples in a targeted and reproducible manner under environmental stress, thereby also investigating the influence on abrasion behaviour.

A major advancement is the development of an optical detection system that uses artificial intelligence to precisely identify and classify surface structures. The approach has already been validated using substitute materials and will be applied to real rubber samples in the next phase.

The consortium has also designed a test bench concept that combines the generation of rubber abrasion under multiaxial loading, targeted particle detection, and the integration of optical sensors in a laboratory setup.

A combination of weathering and chemical analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated by tire abrasion enables assessment of the environmental impact of particles.

The results provide the basis for an accelerated, practical, and well-founded evaluation of new rubber compounds in the laboratory. Tire manufacturers, testing services, and environmental agencies are thus provided with tools that enable them to specifically reduce emissions, evaluate new products more quickly, and meet the requirements of the Euro 7 standard.

Detailed information on the interim results:

Researchers at Fraunhofer LBF have developed the basic concept for an abrasion machine that generates and collects realistic tire abrasion on rubber samples. Various test benches were analyzed, and requirements derived from real-world driving data were adapted to laboratory conditions. The machine design allows for the adjustment of a wide range of parameters to influence tire abrasion. Particle collection and detection are handled by other APs. To analyze the degradation behavior of tire abrasion under environmental stress, a methodology for weathering the abrasion is being developed. This will enable the collection and detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under UV exposure. The measurement methodology is being further optimized to enable the identification and quantification of VOCs. Both work packages lay the groundwork for evaluation and standardization.

High-performance elastomers and plasma polymer coatings to replace fluoropolymers in technical applications: new Fraunhofer project

Users of poly- and perfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals", are under pressure due to regulatory proposals from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This also affects the use of fluoroelastomers, whose economic significance is enormous. Fraunhofer experts initiated the "HATE-Fluor" project at the beginning of February. Together, they want to develop high-performance elastomer compounds to replace fluoropolymers in certain technical applications.

Bio-based polyesters for challenging long-term applications

Current bio-based plastics are often only suitable for short-lived applications, such as packaging, because they have inadequate long-term properties. The new project “Bio-based polyesters for challenging long-term applications” from the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF aims to improve the long-term properties of bioplastics through targeted additivation in order to enable their use in technical applications. To do this, the researchers are looking for companies along the value chain that would also like to substitute petro-based plastics with bio-based solutions in long-lasting products.

Europe is committed to recycling end-of-life wind turbine blades

Starting in 2026, Europe’s wind energy industry has committed itself to ensuring that wind turbine blades do not end up in landfills once they reach the end of their service life. The EU-funded research project REWIND is exploring ways to reuse this composite waste. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are one of 13 project partners from seven countries.

ADD-ITC 2026 publishes preliminary conference program

The organizers of the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) 2026 have released the preliminary program for this year's event, which will take place on November 26–27, 2026, at the International Congress Center Dresden. The conference is expected to attract between 500 and 700 participants from industry, research, and academia.

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.

Smart textiles reversibly change shape in an energy-efficient manner in response to ambient temperature

Self-actuating textile structures are used in a wide range of applications, such as medical technology, automation, architecture, agriculture, and the apparel industry. An example is the use of shading nets in greenhouses, which can be deployed and retracted depending on the sunlight intensity. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are developing textiles based on shape-memory polymers with reversibly controllable geometry.

Naia™ from Eastman strengthens western hemisphere textile connections at Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala

As brands and retailers explore more diversified and responsive sourcing networks, the Naia™ brand from Eastman is strengthening its engagement with the textile and apparel value chain across the western hemisphere. From August 18–20, the company will participate for the first time in Apparel Sourcing Show Guatemala, a regional meeting point for apparel sourcing, manufacturing and nearshoring.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.