#Techtextil 2017

2017-05-04

ITA presents four innovations at Techtextil

The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University shows at the Elmatex booth (hall 3.0, D05) the exhibits „PolyTube“, „ScaffBag“, “Tailored Non-crimp Fabrics (T-NCF)” and a “hybrid reinforced Organo-sheet”.

These exhibits demonstrate how textile non-crimp fabrics could be designed tailor-made, how staple fibre nonwovens made of Carbon with 3D fabric could for the first time be used as a reinforcement structure, how to use the electronic conductivity of carbon fibres and recycled carbon fibres und how to apply an airbag for personal protective equipment in the building industry.

1. PolyTube

Carbon Fibres are used as reinforcement in the automotive and aerospace sector. EoL components and production waste fibres can be recycled to rCF (recycled carbon fibres). rCF may then be used to produce new components. An appropriate process is the fabrication of semi-finished nonwovens for further processing.

The exhibit is a GFP-tube with layers of rCF-nonwoven. The aim is the electrical functionalization of GFP-tubes using the electrical conductivity of rCF-fibres. It is thus possible to discharge static charges, to realise a cost-efficient heating of the tube and to detect defects within the pipe’s wall. For further information please contact christian.moebitz@ita.rwth-aachen.de.

Picture 1: PolyTube, Glass fibre reinforced plastic tube with rCF on the interior side, source: ITA

2. ScaffBag – sensor based airbag for protection from damage induced by falling

The personal protective equipment consists of an airbag system combined with a sensor-based inflation. The airbag is an OPW (one-piece-woven) structure with complex geometry. An important feature is the seamless textile structure, but with higher tensile strength and higher security standard than conventional products.

In addition, a purchase incentive can be created by "safety made in Germany". Optionally new standards for safety at work (in cooperation with professional association BG Bau) can be achieved. For further information please contact gesine.koeppe@ita.rwth-aachen.de.

Picture 2: Prototype of sensor-based airbag, source ABS Peter Aschauer GmbH

3. Tailored non-crimp fabrics

The production of tailored non-crimp fabrics (T-NCF) has a huge potential as a key technology for the fibre composite industry due to its high flexibility and low process costs.

The state-of-the-art production of structural fibre composite components in the automotive and aerospace industry is the production of non-crimp fabrics as rolled goods. They are tailored in accordance with the component geometry, the required component properties and mechanical and assembled via preforming.

Manual labour and a large amount of cutting waste account for 50 % of the process and component costs.

The T-NCF process integrates the presently cost-intensive preforming process within the non-crimp fabrics production and thereby leads to high cost savings. The high cost savings make the T-NCF technology interesting for large serial production e.g. in the automotive or aerospace industry.

On completion of the validation phase, the technology can be used in industrial scale within 3 or 4 years. For further information please contact Wilko.Happach@ita.rwth-aachen.de.

Picture 3: Tailored Non-crimp Fabrics, source: ITA

4. Hybrid-nonwoven reinforced organo sheet

The demonstrator shows a PA6-sheet that is reinforced with carbon staple fibres. Novelty of this material is the application of a combined nonwoven structure, which allows the individual design of nonwoven reinforcement structures. The demonstrator shows different possible reinforcement-structures by different surface materials. This product is the first of its kind worldwide. Staple fibre nonwovens can be combined to design a 3D-reinforcement-structure for composites.

Therefore, this development leads to the development of a novel material class. This material will be applied as functional surface material in lightweight construction. Besides good optic and haptic, the application of heat generation and EM-shielding for transportation and design applications is expected. For further information please contact frederick.cloppenburg@ita.rwth-aachen.de.

Picture 4: Polished section of a hybrid reinforced Organo-sheet, source: ITA

Award-winning research for sustainable carbon fibre cycles

Sustainable recycling of carbon fibres is possible through targeted electrochemical surface modification, which makes the sizing of carbon fibres resistant to solvolysis. ITA PhD student Sabina Dann was awarded the MSW Award from RWTH Aachen University for her master's thesis on this development. The award ceremony took place on 12 November 2025 in Aachen.

Kick-off for the Textile Production of the Future: Establishment of a Textile Technology and Development Centre in Mönchengladbach, Germany

The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University, together with its partners, is pleased to announce that it has received approval for its joint initiative, ‘Textile Factory 7.0’. The goal of the project is the establishment of a technology and development centre for the textile industry in Mönchengladbach.

Exchange data between textile companies openly, securely and cost-effectively without a central platform – ITA makes it possible

The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University has launched a new demonstrator for an open and secure data space in the textile industry at the Digital Innovation Centre Europe (DICE). For the first time, the demonstrator shows directly and clearly how companies can share their data securely with each other without the need for a central platform. Data exchange is based on shared, freely usable technical foundations.

Sustainable athletic wear made from bio-based Polyethylene

Conventional sports textiles made from petroleum-based synthetic fibres are to be replaced in the future by sustainable, bio-based, cooling textiles. Polyethylene, previously used mainly in the packaging industry, is thus qualified for use in textiles and, as a bio-based drop-in solution, offers a cost-effective, sustainable alternative for the future.

Testing and research laboratory ensures safe and more sustainable products worldwide

For 80 years, Hohenstein has stood for independent testing, scientific expertise and practical solutions. Today, the testing and research service provider supports manufacturers and brands worldwide in making textiles, hardlines and medical devices safe, more sustainable and market-ready – thereby building trust among consumers. With an international presence and interdisciplinary expertise, Hohenstein supports its customers from production through to market launch, helping them navigate an environment of growing regulatory and societal demands.

Perfect quality through collaboration: Machinery from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata at Zirve Tekstil

In today’s textile industry, excellence is not achieved by chance – it’s the result of deliberate decisions, technical expertise, and the courage to go beyond conventional paths. The Turkish company Zirve Tekstil has done just that: by combining the best technologies from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata, they’ve created a production setup that delivers outstanding yarn quality – recognized worldwide.

Engineering depth and diversity for composites

Airbond is the latest member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) to receive recognition for contributions to the composites industry. The engineering firm based in Pontypool, South Wales, has just received the Make UK Energy and Sustainability Award for its Lattice 3D Printing project.