#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.

Fabolose: Fabricating vegan and circular leather alternatives from bio-tech-derived cellulose

Fabulose is an EU funded project coordinated by the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF). Its consortium consists of leading research institutes, biotech innovators, and industry stakeholders who aim to create high-performance, biobased and recyclable leather-like fabrics, using efficient biotech production routes for bacterial cellulose, cyanophycin and bacterial pigments

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.

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.

Fraunhofer IAP paves the way for "Green" carbon fibers

A new pilot plant in Guben is set to enable the production of bio-based carbon fibers. The plant is part of the Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz and will make an important contribution to the transformation of the Lausitz region—from a traditionally raw material- and basic industry-oriented region to a hub for innovative high-performance materials. The German federal government and the state of Brandenburg are providing the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP with 53.3 million euros for this purpose.

Hof University develops sustainable textile coating for the fashion of tomorrow from mushrooms

Clothing is often treated as disposable: T-shirts for events, general merchandise, or short-term campaigns frequently end up in the trash after only a few uses. This is particularly problematic given that their production still largely relies on fossil-based materials. This is precisely where a new research project at Hof University of Applied Sciences comes in.

Textilfabrik 7.0 launched: Mönchengladbach becomes a real-world lab for sustainable textile production

With the official kick-off event of the Textilfabrik 7.0 (T7), a major transformation project for the German textile and apparel industry has been launched in the Monforts Quarter in Mönchengladbach. At the “Textile Roundtable,” an event format organized by the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier, representatives from industry, research, politics, and the regional economy came together to jointly lay the foundation for CO₂-neutral, circular, and economically viable textile production in Germany.

STFI presents concepts for the textile circular economy and solutions for a healthy and safe life at Techtextil

Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) has been supporting companies in developing marketable innovations for over 30 years. With a clear focus on sustainability, the environment, health and protection, the STFI offers future-oriented research, textile testing for tailor-made solutions and certification of per- sonal protective equipment. At Techtextil 2026, the institute will present ideas for the textile circular econ- omy and showcase solutions for healthy and safe living.

JEC World 2026 confirms its standing as the unmissable event for composites and their applications

JEC World 2026 confirms its position as the leading global event for the composite materials industry and its applications across multiple sectors, bringing together the entire composites ecosystem in Paris for three days of business, innovation, and collaboration. True to its Pushing the Limits motto, the 2026 edition delivered outstanding results despite travel disruptions worldwide. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 1,400 exhibitors from over 50 countries, including over 150 first-timers, presented a global panorama of products, equipment, and services across the entire composites value chain.

Covestro to exhibit solutions for a more sustainable and productive textile industry at Techtextil 2026

Covestro will present a broad portfolio of material innovations for textile coatings, adhesive films and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) at Techtextil 2026 (Hall 11.0, Booth C79). The exhibits will demonstrate how advanced solutions can enhance durability, recyclability and manufacturing efficiency across applications such as automotive, infrastructure, protective apparel and sportswear. A particular focus will be on more sustainable coating technologies, including antimicrobial systems based on INSQIN® in combination with AGXX from Heraeus Precious Metals, as well as the integration of Pontacol® thermoplastic adhesive films into Covestro’s offering.