[pageLogInLogOut]

#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

25 years of medical devices: ITVP combines experience with innovation

ITV Denkendorf Produktservice GmbH (ITVP) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. On October 1, 2001, ITVP was founded as a subsidiary of the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF), Europe’s largest textile research center. This spin-off company made it possible to consolidate expertise in medical technology and significantly expand production, which had previously been initiated mostly in the DITF’s cleanrooms.

#Research & Development

Reducing development times for technical textiles by accelerated thermo-oxidative aging in a high-pressure autoclave

Synthetic polymers used in technical textiles can be effectively protected against degradation caused by heat, oxygen, and water through the use of stabilizer systems. This enables service lives of several decades, extending to more than 50 years. As the use of durable technical textiles continues to grow, so does the demand for reliable methods to predict their service life within economically feasible testing periods. For the first time the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) developed methods for robust service life prediction for textiles in an IGF research project.

#Research & Development

Europe is committed to recycling end-of-life wind turbine blades

Starting in 2026, Europe’s wind energy industry has committed itself to ensuring that wind turbine blades do not end up in landfills once they reach the end of their service life. The EU-funded research project REWIND is exploring ways to reuse this composite waste. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are one of 13 project partners from seven countries.

#Research & Development

Smart textiles reversibly change shape in an energy-efficient manner in response to ambient temperature

Self-actuating textile structures are used in a wide range of applications, such as medical technology, automation, architecture, agriculture, and the apparel industry. An example is the use of shading nets in greenhouses, which can be deployed and retracted depending on the sunlight intensity. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are developing textiles based on shape-memory polymers with reversibly controllable geometry.

More News on Recycling / Circular Economy

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Textiles Recycling Expo USA 2027 opens registration and expands with manufacturing exhibition

The second edition of Textiles Recycling Expo USA will take place on 7–8 April 2027 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following a debut that attracted more than 1,800 visitors and 95 exhibitors, the event will expand its exhibition and conference programme and will be held alongside the new Textiles Manufacturing Expo.

#Recycled Fibers

Recover launches global campaign highlighting industrial-scale recycled cotton solutions

Under the motto “REAL. Today, Not Someday.”, Recover aims to shift attention towards recycling technologies already operating at commercial scale. In 2025, the company's recycled cotton was used in more than 200 million garments worldwide.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

PURE LOOP's DynaShape® automation increases recycling productivity by up to ten percent

The intelligent automation solution for the ISEC evo recycling machine automatically adjusts operating parameters to changing input materials, improving throughput, melt quality and process stability while reducing operator workload.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

From textile waste to spinning-grade fiber: STADLER Group engineers integrated sorting solution for IGERS in Italy

As technology partner, STADLER worked alongside IGERS on its new plant in San Pietro Mosezzo, Novara, from the first process discussions to the final layout – integrating key treatment equipment into one system and supplying the fully automated sorting line. Together, the two companies have taken IGERS' patented textile recycling process from vision to industrial reality.

Latest News

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Groz-Beckert to present innovations across six textile technology sectors at ITMA Asia 2026

From November 20 to 24, 2026, Groz-Beckert will be presenting its highlights and innovations across the various product areas – Knitting, Weaving, Nonwovens, Sewing, Tufting and Spinning – in Hall 4.1, Booth D41 at the ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Vandewiele to showcase weaving innovations and automation solutions at ITMA Asia 2026

At ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026, taking place from November 20 to 24 in Shanghai, Vandewiele will present a broad range of technologies for weaving, carpet manufacturing, tufting, yarn processing and automation. The company's innovations focus on increasing productivity, improving process efficiency, reducing resource consumption and providing greater flexibility in textile manufacturing. Visitors can explore the latest developments at Booth D01 in Hall 3 of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC).

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

KARL MAYER expands TM WEFT capabilities for fashion fabrics at ITMA ASIA 2026

A new E 36 gauge, an EL pattern drive and improved yarn tension regulation extend the application possibilities of KARL MAYER's TM WEFT warp knitting machine. At ITMA ASIA 2026, the company will demonstrate the developments alongside a collection of woven-like warp knitted fabrics for fashion and apparel.

#Research & Development

First "Korea Day" at RWTH Aachen attracts more than 300 participants

The inaugural Korea Day in Aachen brought together representatives from science, business and Korean institutions to strengthen German-Korean cooperation in research, technology and education. The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University was among the participating organisations.

TOP