#Techtextil 2022

2022-06-16

ITA at Techtextil 2022

ITA Institut für Textiltechnik der RWTH Aachen University will once again be showcasing its entire research spectrum at the Elmatex joint stand in Hall 12.0 B55 at Techtextil 2022 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

1. 3D printing robot on textiles - experience it live in Hall 12.0 B55!

The 3D printing robot is a mobile and size-independent 3D printer for large-area components on textiles. For the first time, a 2.5D support structure can be printed on a textile with such a printer. Please find further information here:

https://techtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/exhibitor-search.detail.html/institut-fuer-textiltechnik-der-rwth-aachen-university-ita.html

3D printing robot on textiles, source: ITA

2. Recycling rope

The recycled rope is a climbing rope that consists of 50 percent recycled rope production waste and is available on the market. Example of textile to textile recycling in PPE. ITA has developed 100 percent recycled, high-strength filament yarns for the rope.

3. CO2-sock

The CO2-sock is made of elastic TPU fibres, which are produced on the basis of CO2-. This results in a reduction of the carbon footprint. ITA has developed a melt spinning process for this special polymer, which is currently being scaled up to industrial scale. By reusing carbon dioxide from industrial waste as a raw material for textile and clothing products, the carbon footprint is improved.

4. Teddy bear with scarf made from recycled acrylic waste

The teddy bear wears a knitted scarf around its neck that is made of 50 percent recycled waste from blanket production using PAN fibres. In addition, intermediate products from all process steps of the solvent-based reprocessing of the waste are used in the production of this knitted fabric.

Teddy bear with scarf made from recycled acrylic waste © 2022 ITA

5. Bioresorbable stent

The most common materials for wire-based vascular stents Nitinol or Elgiloy can cause long-term problems such as thrombosis and other complications. In contrast, bioresorbable stents can perform their structural function for the required time (e.g. a few months) and then be resorbed without causing adverse reactions in the patient.

Detailed information on the above-mentioned exhibits can be found here:

https://techtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/exhibitor-search.detail.html/institut-fuer-textiltechnik-der-rwth-aachen-university-ita.html

Please find these and other exhibits on our stand in hall 12.0 B55.

You will also find information on our stand about the opening of the Recycling Atelier of ITA Augsburg and Hochschule Augsburg University of Applied Science on 20 June 2022 in Augsburg. The Recycling Atelier represents a centre for research and development along the entire textile production chain for textile recycling and thus makes a decisive contribution to the transformation of the linear economy to the circular economy.

A virtual opening will follow at the VDMA stand at Techtextil 2022 in Frankfurt on Tuesday, 21 June 2022 at 14:00. For the virtual opening at Techtextil, please register under WEB-/SPOTLIGHT TALKS at www.industryarena.com/m4t.

We will inform you about our current degree programmes at a second booth in Hall 11.0 A10.

We look forward to your visit!

Pellet press enables thermomechanical textile recycling on a pilot scale at ITA

Since the end of 2025, the technical centre of the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University has been equipped with a pellet press from the manufacturer Amandus Kahl GmbH & Co. KG, Reinbek, Germany. This press can efficiently compact shredded synthetic textiles at a throughput of up to 25 kg/h and process them into pellets with a diameter of 4 mm.

Solid Air Dynamics wins second place at RWTH Innovation Award

On 30 January, RWTH spin-off Solid Air Dynamics was awarded second place in the RWTH Innovation Awards for its research in the field of aerogel fibres. Manufactured from renewable raw materials, aerogel fibres offer outstanding thermal insulation, are extremely lightweight and completely biodegradable, and can consist of over 90 per cent air.

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.

Textile‑to‑textile recycling leader Circulose joins Spinnova’s ecosystem to accelerate technology scale‑up

Textile‑to‑textile recycling leader Circulose joins Spinnova’s ecosystem (consortium) to help advance the scale‑up of Spinnova’s technology. Spinnova has actively sought partners to accelerate commercial scale‑up, and Circulose, as a key player in textile recycling, strengthens the ecosystem by providing a raw material that is in high demand across the industry.

UNIFI® introduces Luxel™: A Linen-inspired, easy-care performance yarn

Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI), the makers of REPREVE® and one of the world’s leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, today announced the launch of Luxel™, a groundbreaking yarn technology that combines the luxurious look and feel of linen with high-performance, easy-care, and textile-to-textile recycled materials.

Pioneer of the first hour: Michael Carus steps down after more than 30 years from nova-Institute’s Management

After more than three decades at the helm, founder and CEO Michael Carus is set to step down as head of the Renewable Carbon division on 1 March 2026. Lars Börger as the new CEO, will take over this key position of the nova-Institute together with COO Linda Engel, while Carus will remain with the research and consulting company as a senior advisor and shareholder. This change takes place after a one-year transition phase, as planned.