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#Research & Development

ITA Academy wins 2nd prize at the Digital Leader Award 2019

Award ceremony for the finalists (fourth from left: Nicolina Praß, ITA Academy), source: Tobias Tschepe / IDG
On June 27, 2019 the ITA Academy from Aachen, Germany, was awarded second prize in the Digital Leader Award 2019 in the category "Culture". The ITA Academy won the prize for its contribution "Digital Capability Center Aachen - Experience Digital Transformation Live". The award ceremony took place in front of around 300 decision-makers from the German business community in Berlin, Germany.

"Our mission is to train industry professionals and executives in terms of digital transformation," reports ITA Academy Managing Director Nicolina Praß. "The target group for further training at the ITA Academy are industrial companies who want to successfully master the digital transformation in production environment".


Since 2016, the Digital Leader Award has been presented to Germany's best digitization projects and the teams and leaders behind them across all industries. Further prizes were awarded in the categories “Culture”, “Project”, “Society”, “Startup”, “Strategy” and “Digitize Education” by a jury of digitization experts from business, science and media.

More News from Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA)

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Aachen Summer School: Textiles become smart through 3D printing and origami

From 21 to 29 September 2026, the Aachen Summer School will transform Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University into a laboratory of the future: over the course of a week, students will use origami folding techniques and 3D printing to develop active textile structures capable of performing programmable movements. This interdisciplinary event combines theoretical foundations with practical prototyping – from digital modelling right through to functional textile prototypes.

#Research & Development

ITA has developed a washable digital smart jacket with real-time feedback and an AI-powered app for rehabilitation

As part of the PhysioTaix research project, the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University is developing a digital smart jacket with integrated sensors. The jacket is washable and reusable; it tracks movements during rehabilitation exercises in real time and transmits the data to an app.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

2. RETRAKT EU Conference - „Join the Circle“: Turning challenges of the textile sector into chances

On 19 November 2026, the second RETRAKT EU Conference – “Join the Circle” will take place in Brussels. The event, which focuses on the transformation of the textile sector towards a circular economy, will be held under the motto: “Turning Challenges in the Textile Sector into Chances.”

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From smart jackets to laser technology: Mona Neubaur explores Textile Factory 7.0

As part of her summer tour, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Mona Neubaur, visited Textilfabrik 7.0 in Mönchengladbach to experience the project’s innovations first-hand. Under the motto “smart and clean”, the visit focused on innovative technologies and sustainable alternatives for textile production - from smart jackets to the decolourisation of textiles using fungal cultures.

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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.

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An eco-friendly alternative to fluorocarbon treatments

Protective and outdoor clothing derives its durable water-, dirt- and oil- repellent properties from the application of fluorinated polymers or per- and polyfluorinated low-molecular- weight chemicals (PFCs). The beneficial properties thus achieved on textiles are offset by environmental and human health risks. For manufacturers of sports, medical, protective and automotive textiles, researchers at the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. and the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research have developed liquid-applied dispersions and solutions to functionalise textiles without the use of fluorine.

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180 years of TESTEX: From Zurich silk testing to global certification

For 180 years, TESTEX has developed alongside the textile industry while maintaining the same underlying purpose: creating trust through independent and reliable measurement. Founded in Zurich in 1846 as the Zurich Silk Conditioning Institute, TESTEX has grown from a local institution serving the silk trade into an international Swiss testing and certification institute for textiles and leather.

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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.

#Denim

Wrangler introduces debris-repellent sherpa fleece technology Hay Away™

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#Natural Fibers

Woolmark and Hyosung TNC develop Merino wool blends for performance apparel

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#Man-Made Fibers

North and Central American yarn producers launch YarnProof™ for supply chain traceability

The new industry initiative uses FibreTrace® technology to physically verify the origin of polyester filament yarn, supporting compliance with regional trade agreements and strengthening transparency across textile supply chains.

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