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#Recycling / Circular Economy

Digital solutions for the circular economy

The team of the Mittelstand-Digital Center at DITF: Project Manager Alexander Artschwager, Dr. Heiko Matheis, Christine Schoch, Bastian Baesch, Christoph Riethmüller, Tobias Hecht, Dr. Michael Haupt (left to right). Photo: DITF
Small and medium-sized enterprises are facing big tasks: Production should be sustainable and allow for later recycling, work and qualification are increasingly taking place digitally, and supply chains must be fully traceable. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) support companies in the introduction of these future-relevant technologies.

Partners are ITA Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University, Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut in Chemnitz (STFI) and DER MITTELSTANDSVERBUND - ZGV. The Gesamtverband textil+mode management is in charge of management. In Denkendorf at the DITF, showcases about digital engineering with a focus on supply chain, circular economy and artificial intelligence can be experienced by all sectors.

To this end, a demonstrator is being set up to provide transparent proof along the entire supply chain from fiber to end customer. A quick check tool will then support SMEs in quickly assessing their supply chain risks and provide them with an initial overview of their ecological footprint.

The Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Smarte Kreisläufe is part of Mittelstand-Digital.


What is Mittelstand-Digital?

Mittelstand-Digital offers guidance for small and medium-sized enterprises and the skilled crafts as they embrace the digital transformation, informs them about the opportunities and challenges of digitalization and provides financial support for digitalization projects. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action makes it possible for all of these services to be rendered free of charge.

For more information visit http://www.mittelstand-digital.de.


More News from Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf

#Research & Development

More safety and comfort for protective clothing thanks to auxetic fabrics

When everyday materials are pulled, they stretch or elongate in the direction of the pull and become narrower in cross-section. We can also observe this property in two-dimensional textiles. Auxetic structures behave differently here. They have the striking property of not changing under tensile stress or even increasing their width or thickness. These properties are advantageous, for example, in protective textiles or textile filter media. The DITF are researching auxetic fabrics for various applications.

#Research & Development

Panty liners prevent bacterial vaginosis

Worldwide, almost one third of women of childbearing age suffer from bacterial vaginosis. This is when the sensitive microbiome of the vagina becomes unbalanced. Such a disorder of the vaginal flora can cause urogenital infections, abscesses on the ovaries or fallopian tubes or premature births. This significantly increases the risk of infertility in women and of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or HIV.

#Research & Development

DITF send a signal for climate protection

The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) have successfully implemented extensive investments in photovoltaic systems at their site in Denkendorf. The systems installed on the roofs of the buildings and covered parking lots have a total installed capacity of 840 kilowatt peak (kWp). The DITF invested 1.6 million euros in this with the support of the state of Baden-Württemberg. The system was ceremonially put into operation on September 17, 2025.

#Research & Development

4.2 million Euros for research into textile recycling

Around the world, used textiles are still rarely recycled and pile up into huge mountains of waste. A recent study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) drew attention to this problem. However, the low recycling rate is also due to the fact that only a small percentage of used textiles are actually suitable for recycling into high-quality materials and for demanding applications. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are addressing this problem with their research.

More News on Recycling / Circular Economy

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Sahil Kaushik appointed CEO of Infinited Fiber as the company advances a phased path to commercial scale

Infinited Fiber has appointed Sahil Kaushik as Chief Executive Officer. Kaushik has served as Acting CEO alongside his role as Chief Operating Officer and will continue to oversee operations until a new COO is appointed.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

trinamiX with new management

BASF is examining strategic options for its subsidiary trinamiX GmbH. trinamiX specializes in biometric imaging and mobile material analysis. These activities are not part of BASF’s core business, on which the company is focusing as part of the implementation of its new strategy.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Reju announces site selection for first U.S. industrial sized facility regeneration hub in Rochester, New York

Reju, the textile-to-textile regeneration company, today announced it has selected the site for its first U.S.-based industrial facility marking a significant milestone in its efforts to scale globally. This future Regeneration Hub will be in Rochester, New York, reinforcing Reju’s commitment to the adoption of circular textile system across key regions worldwide.

#Business

Canopy introduces a first-of-its-kind $2 billion USD investment blueprint to decarbonize global materials supply chains

Today, the global, solutions-driven not-for-profit Canopy joined partners at Davos to introduce a new finance model designed to accelerate the growth of low-carbon materials and transform the paper, packaging, and textile supply chains. The event was anchored by a keynote speech from Sri A Revanth Reddy, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, with India set to host the first iteration of the new investment blueprint.

Latest News

#Functional Fabrics

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

#Sustainability

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.

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