#Industry 4.0 / Digitalization

2020-06-25

CHARM Project develops IOT solutions for harsh industrial environments

The CHARM ECSEL JU project aims to develop industrial IoT solutions with an improved tolerance towards harsh industrial surroundings. Digitalisation of the European manufacturing industries is the key to their continuous renewal and competitiveness. Harsh environmental conditions in manufacturing processes and end user environment may slow down the opportunities brought by IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence). The CHARM project is set to solve this challenge.

CHARM (Challenging environments tolerant Smart systems for IoT and AI) is an extensive three-year project with 37 partners from 10 European countries and a total budget of 29 M€. It is co-financed via ECSEL Joint Undertaking, EU Horizon 2020, national funding agencies of the participating countries and the consortium partners. The partners come from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland.

Launched in June 2020, the CHARM project will develop condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, automation, real-time manufacturing control and optimisation and virtual prototyping system demonstrators and test them in industrial settings. The ECS (Electronics, Components and Systems) technologies must be designed to withstand combinations of severe thermal, mechanical, and chemical stress present during the manufacturing processes used in the industry. Solutions will be demonstrated for six use cases that cover condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and real-time quality assurance.

The CHARM use case leaders come from six different manufacturing sectors covering mining (Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy, FI), paper mills (Valmet Technologies Inc., FI), machining (Tornos SA, CH), solar panel manufacturing (Applied Materials Italia SRL, IT), nuclear power plant maintenance and decommissioning (ÚJV Rež, a. s., CZ) and professional digital printing (Canon Production Printing Netherlands B.V.). The project consortium consists of 11 small and mid-sized enterprises, 14 large enterprises and 12 research and technology organisations. They represent the industrial value chain from simulations, sensors and components to packaging, integration and reliability as well as connectivity, cloud and cyber security solutions.

The project will develop sensors for e.g. gas detection, high temperature and pressure, as well as advanced vision systems for real-time quality control and autonomous equipment for industrial applications. Electronics component packaging technologies beyond state-of-the-art will be used to ensure that the sensors are able to withstand the harsh conditions. The IoT systems will also include new solutions for wireless power transfer, connectivity and cybersecurity. The Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration will support the project by contributing its unique expertise in the development of processes for reliably sensor integration, with its particular focus on high density wiring as a high-precision method for integrating and wiring microelectronic components. As the planned sensors are expected to function reliably under harsh industrial conditions, Fraunhofer IZM will also emphasize robust encapsulation solutions and research options for ramping up the processes to the panel level (using FOPLP, or Fan-Out Panel Level Packaging) to prepare for later mass production scenarios.

Valmet, the leading global developer and supplier of technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries, acts as the project coordinator for CHARM. “We are excited to participate in this European network to develop IoT capabilities for value-adding customer solutions,” says Heikki Kettunen, Senior Manager R&D at Valmet. Spinverse, the Nordic innovation consulting company, coordinated the project proposal and consortium building and has been selected by the partners to support in project planning and management as well as in administration and facilitation as the project progresses.

OEKO-TEX® chooses TextileGenesis to advance digital traceability for organic cotton

OEKO-TEX® today announced a full collaboration with TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, to digitally trace and authenticate organic cotton, strengthening fraud prevention across the supply chain. This announcement follows a successful pilot and brings together OEKO-TEX®’s certification expertise and closed testing system with TextileGenesis’ digital traceability platform to deliver a secure, end-to-end solution for managing certified organic cotton flows.

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.

Tunicotex Group boosts OTDP to 85%, cuts planning time by 25% & expands production capacity by 40%

Coats Digital is delighted to announce that following the implementation of FastReactPlan, leading Tunisian premium knitwear manufacturer, Tunicotex Group, has significantly improved its on-time delivery performance from 75% to 85%, reduced planning time by 25%, minimised delays and penalty costs, and unlocked 40% additional capacity to take on more customer orders and support sustained business growth.

JEC World 2026 returns with an unprecedented content program

Recognized worldwide as the leading trade exhibition for composite materials and their applications, JEC World returns on March 10-12, 2026, at Paris Nord Villepinte as the most ambitious edition to date, in line with its motto “Pushing the limits”. As the must-attend event for the composites industry, JEC World will offer an unprecedented program, blending conferences, markets insights, technical sessions, awards, and above all, a unique experience and invaluable connections.

Beyond the wardrobe – innovative cotton takes the spotlight

Cotton can do more – a lot more. Cutting-edge textiles and high-tech products made from 100% cotton prove just how powerfully performance and sustainability can come together. That very surge of innovation is front and centre at the 38th Bremen Cotton Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026, at Bremen’s Parliament on the historic market square – culminating in a bold and dedicated closing session on Friday. In the spotlight: performance upgrades for pure cotton, smart strategies for circular textile waste solutions, and pioneering concepts for demanding technical applications. From natural fibre–reinforced composites to highly effective flame-retardant solutions, cotton steps out of the closet and shows the future potential woven into every fibre.

Keeping print inclusive: Empowering women in the print industry

Across all industries, cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace is increasingly recognised as valuable and essential to long-term success. However, despite the print industry’s significant advancements in technology and innovation, visible representation of women remains limited. As the sector grapples with low recruitment, it’s important to challenge outdated perceptions. Creating real change, however, requires collective effort - no single company can do it alone.