#Sustainability

2021-01-14

Green Deal Textiles: German textile industry is a frontrunner when it comes to implementing the EU Commission's climate targets

Textile Research Council (Forschungskuratorium Textil - FKT) and Textile Machinery Association of the German Engineering Federation (Fachverband Textilmaschinen - VDMA) present solutions in the field of "Clean Water".

Berlin: The Green Deal Textile is going into the next round. VDMA and FKT joined experts from textile research institutes in Denkendorf, Chemnitz and Mönchengladbach to discuss global solutions for a clean water supply at the online seminar "Perspectives 2035: Clean Water - an Issue of Global Importance." The expert forum this Monday was attended by nearly 30 participants from numerous companies, research institutes and associations.

Johannes Diebel, head of the Forschungskuratorium Textil: "By 2030, it will be possible to produce textiles almost without water. This is the conclusion we reached in our future study "Perspectives 2035". Sustainable process technologies will be established, especially in the areas of dyeing and finishing. Our textile research institutes are making considerable development progress in this regard."

Ramona Jasny demonstrated this for the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Niederrhein) with the TextileMission research project. The project shows ways to reduce the formation of microplastic particles and thus protect the environment. The textile engineer also presented ways for the polyester industry to produce in a biobased and water-friendly way.

Textiles are highly effective in cleaning industrial wastewater, as Dr. Thomas Stegmaier of the German Institutes for Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (Deutschen Instituten für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf - DITF) reported. "3D textiles are used in the biological treatment stage of various wastewater treatment plants. They serve as carriers for the biomass - microorganisms that are responsible for the degradation of pollutants. The biologically active area thus obtained is greatly increased compared to conventional methods and thus, of course, much more effective." It is not only industrial wastewater treatment plants that benefit from DITF's innovations. They can also be used in municipal wastewater treatment plants or in rainwater and swimming pool water treatment.

The Saxon Textile Research Institute (Sächsische Textilforschungsinstitut) is also involved in several water treatment projects. One focus, for example, is on water purification with the help of biologically filtering organisms such as mussels, which are settled on textile growth surfaces. Jens Mählmann sees the advantages of these over conventional solutions in: "[...] the very effective elimination of suspended matter, algae or bacteria, as well as sedimentation rates that are up to 400 percent higher. During sedimentation, solids that cannot be removed are deposited at the bottom of the water body."

The event demonstrated the many ways in which textiles can be used for successful environmental management. The interdisciplinary exchange between the textile and mechanical engineering industries as well as companies from the water and wastewater technology sector is therefore to be continued and expanded.

The study Perspectives 2035 - A Guide to the Future (Perspektiven 2035 – Ein Leitfaden für die Zukunft) is available for download here

(GERMAN LANGUAGE ONLY)

https://textil-mode.de/de/forschung/zukunftsstrategie-perspektiven-2035/

VDMA member companies on display at ITMA ASIA

ITMA ASIA + CITME end of October in Singapore will see a strong participation of around 70 VDMA member companies. They will cover nearly all different machinery chapters along the textile value chain including spinning and man-made fibres, nonwovens, weaving, braiding, knitting & warp knitting, finishing & dyeing as well as technologies for textile recycling and processing of recycled material. VDMA initiated a German Pavilion with two group stands (spinning in hall 4 and finishing in hall 7) with a total of 30 exhibitors.

Smart technologies for green textile production

With 42 exhibiting member companies, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 is once again marked by a strong presence of VDMA companies. They cover nearly all different machinery chapters with a focus on spinning and man-made fibers, nonwovens, weaving, braiding, knitting & warp knitting, finishing & dyeing as well as technologies for textile recycling and processing of recycled material. In total, the German participation at the fair is the largest from outside China.

VDMA members to participate in CAITME expo

CAITME, taking place from 11 to 14 September in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, will see a strong participation of VDMA member companies. About 25 VDMA members will take part in the event. Among the numerous VDMA companies present at the trade fair with their own booth or through agents, 13 companies will be exhibiting in the area of the official German Pavilion, organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and initiated by VDMA: Brückner Textile Technologies, Erbatech, Georg Sahm, Groz-Beckert, Heusch, KARL MAYER STOLL Textilmaschinenfabrik, KURIS Spezialmaschinen, Lindauer DORNIER, Oerlikon Textile, Stäubli Bayreuth, STC Spinnzwirn, THIES, Xetma Vollenweider.

Pioneering open-source framework shows how early innovation drives a just and net-zero fashion future

The non-profit H&M Foundation, in collaboration with Accenture, has unveiled From Signals to Systems Change, an insight report calling on the fashion industry to rethink its role in transformation. At its core is the Reimagined System Map, a pioneering open-source framework that visualises how early-stage innovation could drive a just and net-zero textile future.

Lenzing confirmed as global leader in Canopy sustainability ranking

Lenzing AG has once again taken first place in this year's Hot Button Report published by the Canadian non-profit organization Canopy. With 34.5 out of 40 points and no known risk of sourcing from ancient and endangered forests, Lenzing remains one of the most sustainable companies in regenerated cellulose fiber production – setting a benchmark for responsible business practices in the textile and nonwovens industries.

Nike unites innovation, design and product teams to accelerate athlete-centered innovation

Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse are joining forces under a new, athlete-focused creation structure aimed at accelerating innovation and driving growth across NIKE, Inc. The new setup unites the Innovation, Design and Product teams from all three brands into a single “creation engine” that will enable greater sharing of insights, technology and manufacturing methods throughout the innovation process. This integration is part of Nike’s new Sport Offense strategy and is designed to enhance the creation of products that help athletes perform at their best.

DORNIER celebrates its anniversary at ITMA Asia + CITME

To mark its 75th anniversary, machine and plant manufacturer Lindauer DORNIER will be presenting the latest developments in its rapier and air-jet weaving machines at ITMA Asia + CITME in Singapore (Hall 2, Stand B401) from 28 to 31 October 2025. The focus will be on energy-efficient weaving technologies, new IoT solutions for networked textile production and systems for the series production of modern fibre composite components.

BCI warns against ‘dangerous dilution’ of EU corporate directives

The approval of the European Commission’s Omnibus I proposal by the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs, accepting controversial changes to key sustainability directives is of great concern. These changes, namely to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), threaten to significantly dilute business reporting and due diligence obligations.