#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

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.

Carbon-ceramic hybrid fibre proves its worth – NRW Minister for Science Mona Neubaur congratulates ITA start-up TERNAfil

MAXCarbon technology, a novel carbon-ceramic hybrid fibre developed by ITA spin-off TERNAfil, secured third place at the HIGH-TECH.NRW Demo Day on the TÜV NORD campus in Essen. The technology combines the strength of carbon fibres with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. Mona Neubaur, Minister for Science in North Rhine-Westphalia, congratulated the team on their success and on winning prize money of 4,000 euros.

TCLF: Resilient value chains in times of crises

The textiles, clothing, leather and footwear (TCLF) industry was at the centre of the webinar “Resilient value chains in times of crises”, which took place on 28 April 2026. Global supply chains continue to face increasing pressure, raw material dependencies are growing and economic uncertainties are affecting the entire sector.

Elastic yarns to become more recyclable and environmentally friendly in future

On 29 April 2026, ITA student Tobias Dickmeiß was awarded a sponsorship prize by the Wilhelm Lorch-Stiftung for his innovative approach, to replacing conventional elastane with elastic yarns made from thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPC). Thanks to their thermoplastic nature and compatibility with typical polyesters used in the textile industry, elastic TPC yarns offer improved recyclability. Furthermore, the use of the melt-spinning process in yarn production eliminates the need for solvents that are harmful to the environment and human health.

New spinning package with two-step filtration for recycled yarns and more

At the ITM in Istanbul, BB Engineering unveiled its new, patented ValuePack spinning package for the first time, which features a two-stage filtration system. This is particularly beneficial for re-cycling processes. Until now, spinning packs have used either metal powder (“sand”) or filter candles as filter media. Both options are suitable for differ-ent applications, and each has its own specific advantages and dis-advantages.

ITMA 2027 gains strong momentum

In line with the theme "Co-creating the future of textiles", ITMA continues to strengthen its support for start-ups, recognising their role in driving innovation and shaping the future of textile and garment manufacturing. Through the Start-Up Valley, emerging companies gain access to a global marketplace where they can connect with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and customers.

Mongolia: Workshop on Italian textile technologies kicks off in Ulaanbaatar

The workshop dedicated to Italian textile technologies will kick off in Ulaanbaatar from 21 to 23 June 2026. Focused on the most advanced innovative solutions for the textile industry, the initiative will bring together 13 Italian textile machinery manufacturers, confirming the growing interest in strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries and highlighting Mongolia’s strategic importance for Italian textile machinery producers.