#Research & Development

2021-02-04

Launch of new National Center of Competence in Research

The NCCR explores the development of autonomous, sustainable and smart energy systems. Photo: Claudio Schwarz for Unsplash © 2021 EMPA

The new National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) Automation has been launched – with the goal of establishing Switzerland as one of the world's leading hubs for research, education and innovation in automation and control technology. As one of the four participating institutions, Empa is contributing its expertise in data and energy management.

NCCR Automation to develop intelligent energy systems

In the new NCCR "Dependable Ubiquitous Automation", which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), more than 40 scientists from Empa, ETH Zurich, EPFL and the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) will work together. They will investigate new approaches to reliably control complex automation systems and develop applications in the fields of energy, mobility and industrial manufacturing over the coming years. "We want to coordinate research in this area across Switzerland, improve the flow of information between institutions, exploit synergies and make technology transfer more effective," explains ETHZ researcher John Lygeros, director of the new NCCR. Another important aspect is the promotion of young scientists so that Switzerland can maintain its leading position in innovations in automation in the future.

Empa's Urban Energy Systems lab is contributing its expertise in energy and data management to various project phases of the new NCCR. The focus will be on developing innovative solutions for control at component level in buildings as well as for energy flexibility at district level. Moreover, efficient communication between the different systems will play a central role. For initial studies, the infrastructure of Empa's Energy Hub (ehub) will be used, which provides a wide range of data and can be flexibly controlled. "Our goal is to develop methods that can ultimately be used to build a fully autonomous, sustainable and smart energy system at city level," says Varsha Behrunani, one of three PhD students hired by Empa as part of the newly launched NCCR.

An in-depth interview with John Lygeros, director of the NCCR Automation, can be found here:

https://nccr-automation.ch/news/2021/if-we-pull-together-we-achieve-more

Website of the NCCR Automation:

https://nccr-automation.ch/

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.

Carbon-ceramic hybrid fibre proves its worth – NRW Minister for Science Mona Neubaur congratulates ITA start-up TERNAfil

MAXCarbon technology, a novel carbon-ceramic hybrid fibre developed by ITA spin-off TERNAfil, secured third place at the HIGH-TECH.NRW Demo Day on the TÜV NORD campus in Essen. The technology combines the strength of carbon fibres with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. Mona Neubaur, Minister for Science in North Rhine-Westphalia, congratulated the team on their success and on winning prize money of 4,000 euros.

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.

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

DTF vs DTG Printing - The technologies shaping today’s custom merchandise market

From sportswear to branded tote bags, custom merchandise continues to grow in popularity across sectors, driving print shops to cater to short runs, personalisation, and rapid turnaround. As print providers look to this market, two printing technologies often stand out: Direct‑to‑Film (DTF) and Direct‑to‑Garment (DTG). Each offers its own benefits, and understanding these differences helps determine the most suitable production method for print service providers.