[pageLogInLogOut]

#Research & Development

Professor Gries laureate at FAMOS for Family

© 2021 ITA
Professor Thomas Gries from the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) was honoured with the "FAMOS for Family" award on 21 June 2021 for his family-friendly personnel management. RWTH awards this prize every year to RWTH executives for their family-friendly personnel work.

The family-friendly policy at ITA already begins at the start of the doctorate: employees are encouraged to start family planning during the doctoral period. To this end, the ITA offers its own counselling centre for expectant mothers and fathers. There are individual working time models for employees with children. This means that senior staff can also take parental leave. That is why ITA is proud of having the highest proportion of female doctoral students among the five largest RWTH institutes (measured by the number of employees).

"Thanks to this bundle of measures, we are able to welcome 5-10 newborn children at ITA every year." Professor Gries announces ITA's success statistics in the area of family policy with a smile and mentions a mystery at the end: "For inexplicable reasons, the twin rate at ITA is about 5 times higher than statistically expected."


The award winners of 2020 and 2021 were invited to this year's 14th presentation of the "FAMOS for Family" award. In 2020 and 2021, six leaders each were honoured. This year, the award ceremony took place digitally. RWTH Chancellor Manfred Nettekoven acknowledged the commitment of the award winners, and Pro-Rector Professor Doris Klee presented all award winners with a certificate and 500 euros in prize money for a team activity.


More News from TEXDATA International

#ITM 2026

ITM 2026: The new geography of textile production

New production hubs are emerging across North Africa and Central Asia, while Türkiye is accelerating its transformation toward higher-value, technology-driven and more sustainable textile manufacturing.

#Research & Development

“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.

#Knitting & Hosiery

“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

#Associations

“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.

More News on Research & Development

#Research & Development

First "Korea Day" at RWTH Aachen attracts more than 300 participants

The inaugural Korea Day in Aachen brought together representatives from science, business and Korean institutions to strengthen German-Korean cooperation in research, technology and education. The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University was among the participating organisations.

#Research & Development

POLYMERS-5B develops high-performance bio-based polyesters from agricultural waste

The European research project POLYMERS-5B is developing an integrated enzymatic biorefinery to convert agricultural by-products from Mediterranean food production into valuable raw materials for the food, cosmetics and bio-based plastics industries. Using tomato and olive pomace as feedstock, the process aims to recover several product groups from the same biomass stream. The consortium will present its latest technical developments and market findings at Ecomondo 2026 in Rimini on 3 November.

#Research & Development

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.

Latest News

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

KARL MAYER expands TM WEFT capabilities for fashion fabrics at ITMA ASIA 2026

A new E 36 gauge, an EL pattern drive and improved yarn tension regulation extend the application possibilities of KARL MAYER's TM WEFT warp knitting machine. At ITMA ASIA 2026, the company will demonstrate the developments alongside a collection of woven-like warp knitted fabrics for fashion and apparel.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Textiles Recycling Expo USA 2027 opens registration and expands with manufacturing exhibition

The second edition of Textiles Recycling Expo USA will take place on 7–8 April 2027 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following a debut that attracted more than 1,800 visitors and 95 exhibitors, the event will expand its exhibition and conference programme and will be held alongside the new Textiles Manufacturing Expo.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

MarediModa highlights transparency and traceability with InsideOut by C.L.A.S.S.

The InsideOut by C.L.A.S.S. exhibition at MarediModa 2026 in Cannes focused on transparency, traceability and the measurable values behind fashion products. Its Decalogue of Values aims to make environmental, social and production-related information more accessible throughout the textile supply chain.

#Industry 4.0 / Digitalization

White House reduces production planning time by up to 80% with Coats Digital’s FastReactPlan

Indian garment manufacturer White House has reduced its production planning cycle by 60–80% following the implementation of Coats Digital’s FastReactPlan software. The integrated planning solution provides greater visibility across production, capacity and material requirements while supporting faster decision-making and improved delivery performance.

TOP