#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!

Small tolerances, big impact and a recyclable alternative to elastane

ITA Master's student Janne Warnecke investigated tension differences over the fabric width in the weaving process and thereby contributed to quality assurance; ITA Bachelor's student Jasmin Roos found a basis for the development of recyclable yarns and textiles. For these developments, they were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation's Promotion and Sustainability Prizes on 27 November. Peter D. Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards at the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) in Aachen, Germany.

Aachen Summer School: Strengthening German-Korean cooperation in 4D and robotics

The Aachen Summer School has established itself as an important platform for promoting cooperation between RWTH Aachen University and Seoul National University. The focus is on practice-oriented research projects in the field of 4D and robotics technologies, which have been successfully implemented for years at the Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University.

ITA postdoc Dr Leonie Beek is revolutionising oil filtration with a bionic textile

On various biological surfaces, oil is adsorbed from water surfaces and transported along the leaf. In her dissertation, ITA Postdoc Dr Leonie Beek transferred this effect to a technical textile using her Bionic Oil Absorber (BOA), which can remove up to 4 litres of diesel per hour from water at technological readiness level 4. For this development, Dr Beek was awarded the Paul Schlack Prize 2025 for her dissertation ‘Bionic textiles for oil-water separation modelled on superhydrophobic biological surfaces’ on 10 September 2025. The award ceremony took place during the opening event of the Dornbirn GFC Global Fiber Congress in Austria.

Happy Holidays!

Dear reader, the year 2025 is drawing to a close. We are entering what we hope will be a peaceful holiday season, spending time with our families and taking a moment to pause and reflect. We hope we have been able to support you once again this year with relevant news and articles, and we look forward to surprising you with many innovations in the coming year. Enjoy the festive season, stay healthy, and we wish you a happy and joyful holiday season.

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