#Research & Development

2020-11-19

Light experiences light as paper

Design approaches. Photos: quintessence design

A feel-good atmosphere with luminaires made of paper yarn - ecological and sustainable

Paper is a renewable resource, is available almost everywhere and can be recycled. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF), together with their project partners, have processed this natural material in the form of paper yarns and developed shapely luminaires from it. The results of the "Paper Light" research project are sustainable products with an appealing design that can be manufactured at low cost. The luminaires are fully recyclable.

Climate protection and the environmental pollution caused by microplastics require new ideas on how renewable resources can be used sensibly. The researchers at the DITF have processed paper yarn into very light structural bodies using structure winding technology. The manufacturing process is so flexible that many different shapes are possible and light can be directed differently depending on the area of application. The corresponding photometric characteristics were determined at the DITF.

Production of a lampshade: Structure winding process. Photo: DITF

Demonstration luminaire „FIVE STEMS“. Photo: DITF

Three-dimensional bodies are manufactured from the paper yarns using a novel method. The yarns are fixed with an adhesive, which also consists of renewable and degradable raw materials. The conventional metal supporting structure can be dispensed with. This has several advantages for the environment: Due to the omission of wire, less carbon dioxide is produced during manufacture. The THIRTY-ONE luminaire developed by the DITF saves more than two kilograms of CO2 equivalents - per piece!

Demonstration luminaire "THIRTY-ONE". Photo: DITF

Without a metal structure, the paper lamps also weigh significantly less and are easier to transport. After use, the luminaires can be introduced into the circulation system.

The research team has built three demonstrator luminaires that show the possibilities opened up by different yarn thicknesses, colors and the various wound structures. In addition, the mechanical parameters determined already show a great potential for use in other fields of application such as construction components. For this purpose, the DITF have many functional samples available.

The research project "Development of recyclable luminaires made of paper composites" with the short title "Paper Light" was sponsored by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt.

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.

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.

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.

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.

STFI showcases new Textile LAB Professional with focus on climate protection and sustainable technologies

The Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e. V. (STFI) in Chemnitz is organising a themed day on 3 December 2026, focusing on climate protection and the environment. As well as showcasing current applications for green cities and natural fibres for lightweight construction, the event will feature machine demonstrations in the new Textile LAB Professional. Under the motto ‘Design meets Technology’, this networking event will also provide an insight into artistic student projects, thereby facilitating a professional exchange on creative perspectives and modern technologies for climate protection and the environment.

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.

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.

Mahlo introduces AI-supported Orthopac RVMC-20 plus at ITMA Asia 2026

From November 20 to 24, 2026, Mahlo GmbH + Co. KG will present its system portfolio for the textile industry at ITMA Asia in Shanghai. Together with its local sales and service partner Kuantex and Mahlo China, the Bavarian technology specialist will demonstrate at Booth C22 in Hall 7.1 how intelligent measurement and control technology can improve the quality and efficiency of textile production processes. The spotlight will be on the new Orthopac RVMC-20 plus, which combines precise weft straightening with fully integrated process control.