#Associations

2024-11-01

IVGT on tour in Albstadt

For the second edition of the Albstadt ID industry event on 10 October 2024, more than 300 school students from all over Germany and around 200 other interested parties from the industry came to Albstadt to find out about new training and employment opportunities in the textile and clothing industry through numerous presentations. The IVGT was also there! In room 205-141, Iris Schlomski reported on the current status of the ADDTEX Erasmus+ project and explained in particular the content of the ADDTEX Academy and the Hackathon and Bootcamp programmes that have now been successfully implemented.

Iris Schlomski during her lecture © 2024 Iris Schlomski

ADDTEX project presented at the university

In her presentation, Iris Schlomski also addressed the current shortage of labour and skilled workers in the textile industry. According to the Association of German Engineers (April 2024), nine out of ten small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) state that they can no longer find new employees in Germany. At the same time, 25% of all European technical textiles are produced in Germany and their export share has been growing steadily for years, currently at 40% and a value of goods of over 12 billion euros. In light of this and the fact that more than 60% of German textile manufacturers have already switched their portfolio to technical textiles, she emphasised that training formats need to be adapted accordingly.

Adapting training formats to the needs

Germany urgently needs well-trained creative employees in the still growing and innovative future market of technical textiles! In addition to the more than 40 presentations on various topics, participants had the opportunity to gain a non-binding but detailed insight and overview of innovation topics in the industry and the textile degree programmes at Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences by taking part in guided tours of the laboratory.

Rector Dr Ingeborg Mühldorfer and Prof. Dr Ing Christian Kaiser during the welcoming speech at the 2nd Albstadt ID © 2024 Iris Schlomski

The aim of the Albstadt ID is to strengthen the links between industry and the university and at the same time to generate enthusiasm for the exciting world of the textile and clothing industry - across all generations. An offer that was very well received and also made the 2nd Albstadt ID a very special event.

www.ivgt.de

www.addtex.eu

www.hs-albsig.de

Eco-design as the foundation of circular textiles

Based on the results of an extensive European analysis, the Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity is currently developing three practice-based training modules covering recycling technologies, eco-design for the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. This was preceded by a comprehensive company survey and a joint analysis conducted by the project partners under the leadership of IVGT. The results show that the greatest challenges lie not so much in a lack of technology as in skills gaps.

New skills for a circular textile economy

Based on the results of a comprehensive analysis, the Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity is developing three practical training modules covering recycling technologies, eco-design for the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. The content of the first module, Recycling Technologies, has now been developed and validated together with industry representatives. The module provides participants with knowledge of regulatory requirements, material sorting and the preparation of textile waste for recycling.

The textile industry in transition

Recycling, traceability, eco-design and digitalisation are among the key future challenges facing the European textile industry. The Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity, involving 21 partners from twelve countries, is investigating the skills required to address these challenges. As the German industry partner, the Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles (IVGT) is bringing the industry’s perspective to the project.

Automation, digitalization and new business models are shaping the future of footwear and leather technology

The European footwear and leather machinery industry is facing profound transformations. Global competitive dynamics, technological innovation, automation and digitalization are fundamentally reshaping markets, production processes and business models. This is one of the key findings of the new study “Threads of the Future – Footwear and Leather Technology Edition”, which was presented today by VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies (VDMA TFL) during a press conference at SIMAC Tanning Tech in Milan.

EURATEX calls for urgent action on industrial competitiveness

EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, welcomes today’s State of the Union Address by European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and in particular her recognition of Europe’s need to rebalance unfair trade, cut red tape, and strengthen its industrial and strategic autonomy.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues 2026 concludes with 50 international participants immersed in Brazilian cotton production

The Cotton Brazil Dialogues concludes its 2026 edition after a series of technical visits to farms, cotton gins and reference centers, as well as workshops focused on Brazilian cotton production. A total of 50 participants from 14 countries took part in the field trips. The initiative is led by the Brazilian Association of Cotton Growers (Abrapa) and the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea), with support from the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).

European textile industry calls for €10 handling fee on ultra-fast-fashion imports

The introduction of the €3 customs duty on low-value imports marks an important milestone in Europe’s efforts to address the challenges created by the rapid growth of ultra-fast-fashion imports. Together with the abolition of the €150 customs duty exemption, it demonstrates that policymakers are willing to act when market distortions become impossible to ignore. However, the European textile and clothing industry considers this a first step rather than the final destination.

Barmag showcases pump solutions for demanding PU applications at PU China 2026

At PU China, taking place November 3–5, 2026, at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Center in Shanghai, Barmag’s Pumps Division will present high-performance metering solutions for the processing of polyurethane systems (Hall 1, Booth 135). The focus is on high-precision gear metering pumps that enable the exact delivery of PUR components as well as other high-viscosity and reactive media. With their high metering accuracy, they help reduce material consumption, stabilize processes, and ensure consistently high product quality.

SHIMA SEIKI to showcase flat knitting and digital design solutions at Egypt Stitch & Tex

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its sales representative in Egypt, TTS (EL MASRIA FOR TRADE & TECHNICAL SERVICES), will participate in the upcoming 24th International Exhibition for Textile & Carpet Machineries, Printing Technologies and Accessories (Egypt Stitch & Tex) to be held in Cairo, Egypt this month.