#Research & Development

2018-08-02

Premium AEROTEC, Faurecia and Solvay launch Thermoplastic Composites research consortium (IRG CosiMo) with ITA-Augsburg

On the Picture (ITA Augsburg) from left to right: Rob Blackburn (Solvay) - Application Engineering Director; Guillaume Morales (Faurecia) - Program Development Leader; Reinhard Schaefer (Faurecia) - Engineering Director Ultra-Light Weight Structures; Helge von Selasinsky (ITA) - General Manager; Kim Gingras (Solvay) - Thermoplastic Composites Incubator Director; Jochen Scholler (Premium AEROTEC) - Manufacturing Engineer; Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Schlichter (ITA) - Managing Director; Dr.-Ing. Daniel Hartung (Premium AEROTEC) - Head of Numerical Simulation; Joachim Nägele (Premium AEROTEC) - Managing Director Programs and Sales and Johannes Treiber (Solvay) - Senior Applications Engineer

Premium AEROTEC, Faurecia Clean Mobility, and Solvay are proud to launch IRG CosiMo (Industry Research Group: Composites for Sustainable Mobility), the industry’s first private consortium focusing on the development of materials and process technologies that will enable the high volume production of thermoplastic composites for both the Aerospace and Automotive markets.

Through a 3 year commitment, Premium AEROTEC, Faurecia Clean Mobility, and Solvay will bring together their expertise, capabilities and resources to hit the R&D milestones set to meet the industry’s growth expectations and offer solutions for sustainable mobility. Composite adoption, industrialization and accelerating automotive and aerospace ramp rates are all key focus areas that will be addressed by the IRG CosiMo consortium.

Premium AEROTEC, Faurecia Clean Mobility and ITA Augsburg are also part of an upcoming large project consortium in the Campus Carbon 4.0 program of the Free State of Bavaria, Germany. This public sponsored consortium (CC4.0 CosiMo) is going to develop new materials and processes for in-situ polymerization of Caprolactam to Polyamide 6 for high volume applications in automotive. IRG CosiMo, an extension of this consortium, aims to focus on a wider range of thermoplastic materials and processes. As a partner of IRG CosiMo, the Institute of Textile Technology Augsburg gGmbH (ITA Augsburg) will host and project manage the consortium, coordinate the scientific research program and operate the equipment used for processing new materials into tape and web based thermoplastic composites.

All machines will be installed in the Technologiezentrum Augsburg (TZA), the core infrastructural element of Augsburg Innovationspark. In collaboration with IRG CosiMo Premium Partners, all installed equipment can also be used by companies interested to benefit from the network. Sharing infrastructure and equipment through open innovation is a highly efficient way to encourage the development of new materials, data driven process controls and robust automated manufacturing processes for serial production, without interrupting industrial plants.

ITA, a unique textile research facility, is focusing on the development of thermoplastic tape- and web based composite systems and will bring a lot of scientific knowledge to the group. ITA Augsburg initiated IRG CosiMo as part of a strategic, branch overlapping approach to push innovation in thermoplastic composites including recycled fiber materials. This unique private consortium allows demand-driven networking with short decision-making processes to maximize customer benefits.

TCLF: Resilient value chains in times of crises

The textiles, clothing, leather and footwear (TCLF) industry was at the centre of the webinar “Resilient value chains in times of crises”, which took place on 28 April 2026. Global supply chains continue to face increasing pressure, raw material dependencies are growing and economic uncertainties are affecting the entire sector.

Elastic yarns to become more recyclable and environmentally friendly in future

On 29 April 2026, ITA student Tobias Dickmeiß was awarded a sponsorship prize by the Wilhelm Lorch-Stiftung for his innovative approach, to replacing conventional elastane with elastic yarns made from thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPC). Thanks to their thermoplastic nature and compatibility with typical polyesters used in the textile industry, elastic TPC yarns offer improved recyclability. Furthermore, the use of the melt-spinning process in yarn production eliminates the need for solvents that are harmful to the environment and human health.

Walter Reiners Foundation Prize awarded to three ITA graduates

Sabina Dann, Lukas Balon and Annegret Storm from the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation Prize by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) for their master’s and bachelor’s theses. Peter Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards during Techtextil at the VDMA stand in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Textile climate control system in workwear – exhibition at the 2026 SME Innovation Day!

Conventional protective workwear often reaches its limits during strenuous physical activity. In particular, the transport of sweat and excess body heat poses a problem. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) conducted research on flow-optimized, air-conducting textile structures that enable targeted climate control directly on the body. These structures can be integrated straight into protective work garments. The textile climate control system supports the body’s natural thermoregulation. This contributes to improved workplace safety and comfort.

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

Regional hemp bast for lightweight construction profiles

The cultivation of fibre hemp for the production of ropes and clothing has a long tradition in Saxony. Due to its excellent fibre properties, it is also suitable as a renewable raw material for reinforcement in fibre composites. At the STFI and IWU in Chemnitz, the CannaPul project is cur- rently investigating how a regional value chain for hemp-based lightweight construction profiles can be established. To this end, the technical processing of hemp fibres into continuous fibre strands and their embedding in a suitable bio-based matrix are being investigated.

SHIMA SEIKI to show complete knitting and cutting workflow at ITM 2026

Leading computerized flat knitting technology provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Turkish representative TETAS IC VE DIS TICARET A.S., will participate in the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye this month with a full product lineup. In addition to flat knitting machines and design software, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the full range of SHIMA SEIKI textile machinery with its automatic cutting machine exhibit, all geared toward the fashion apparel market as well as non-apparel related businesses.

European Flax-Linen & Hemp step into advanced manufacturing: Enabling filament winding, 3D printing and high-performance composite processes

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp announces a new wave of technological advancements demonstrating how flax-linen and hemp fibres are now being successfully integrated into advanced composite manufacturing processes. These developments mark a transition beyond traditional hand lay-up techniques, positioning natural fibres as credible, scalable solutions for high-performance industrial applications.