#Research & Development

2022-02-17

Visit of the Turkish Consul General in Aachen, Germany

Turhan Kaya, the Consul General of the Republic of Turkey from Cologne, visited the Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (ITA) together with his Vice Consul Ahmet Atilla and with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Turkey Dr Uwe Merklein on 14 February 2022. The aim was to get an overview of research and development for the textile industry. ITA Institute Director Professor Dr Thomas Gries guided the guests through the ITA Technical Centre and showed the latest highlights of the ITA.

ITA researches innovations for sustainable and future-oriented textile production. In doing so, the scientific staff deals with novel solutions for the industry and develops optimised processes and production sequences. Cross-linked and resource-saving machinery is one of many approaches that enable sustainable production.

Another major goal at ITA is the following principle: moving away from mineral oil-based textile production towards ecological textile production with bio-based materials! This transformation of the textile production chain is the current challenge of the textile and clothing industry that our society has to deal with for a greener future. ITA is tackling this issue with full force and is developing new processes and materials that do not affect scarce resources of our planet.

There has been a close connection to the textile country Turkey at ITA for years through the Turkey-based subsidiary ITA Teknoloji Transfer Dan??manl?k ve Mühendislik Ltd. ?ti. in Bursa. Through this branch office and locally employed staff, contact with our Turkish partners is maintained in an efficient and agile manner.

Following the visit to the ITA, the delegation visited the Digital Capability Center (DCC) Aachen and toured the learning factory with its focus on digitalisation. At the DCC, Industry 4.0 is being tested and made accessible to industry by means of a learning factory with practical application scenarios. In exchange with representatives of the industry, obstacles can be researched from a scientific perspective and new approaches to solutions for the digital textile production of the future can be provided.

"We are delighted to have the honour of welcoming Mr Kaya, Mr Atilla and Dr Merklein to ITA," Professor Dr Gries sums up. "Turkey is an important partner country for us and holds an outstanding position in the field of textiles. The visit strengthens and underlines our good relationship."

Turhan Kaya visited the ITA on the occasion of his inaugural visit to the Rector of RWTH Aachen University, Professor Dr Ulrich Rüdiger. Further visits to the institute and the Honorary Consulate Aachen were on the agenda.

Honorary Consul Dr Uwe Merklein, who initiated the visit, has close ties to ITA - he completed his doctorate at ITA and was for many years managing partner of the ITA-affiliated 3T TextilTechnologieTransfergesellschaft, now ITA Technologietransfer GmbH.

Exchange data between textile companies openly, securely and cost-effectively without a central platform – ITA makes it possible

The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University has launched a new demonstrator for an open and secure data space in the textile industry at the Digital Innovation Centre Europe (DICE). For the first time, the demonstrator shows directly and clearly how companies can share their data securely with each other without the need for a central platform. Data exchange is based on shared, freely usable technical foundations.

Sustainable athletic wear made from bio-based Polyethylene

Conventional sports textiles made from petroleum-based synthetic fibres are to be replaced in the future by sustainable, bio-based, cooling textiles. Polyethylene, previously used mainly in the packaging industry, is thus qualified for use in textiles and, as a bio-based drop-in solution, offers a cost-effective, sustainable alternative for the future.

Small tolerances, big impact and a recyclable alternative to elastane

ITA Master's student Janne Warnecke investigated tension differences over the fabric width in the weaving process and thereby contributed to quality assurance; ITA Bachelor's student Jasmin Roos found a basis for the development of recyclable yarns and textiles. For these developments, they were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation's Promotion and Sustainability Prizes on 27 November. Peter D. Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards at the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) in Aachen, Germany.

Innovation center for textile circular economy inaugurated

Just over eight months after the foundation stone was laid, the new Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy was officially inaugurated today at TITK Rudolstadt. Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt, TITK Director Benjamin Redlingshöfer, and other guests of honor cut the ribbon to the modern building complex and viewed the premises, which are now ready for occupancy. The “DICE – Demonstration and Innovation Center for Textile Circular Economy” is TITK's largest single investment to date. The Free State of Thuringia supported the total cost of €11.5 million with €8 million in GRW and FTI funding.

Sustainable design of Geosynthetics and roof underlayments made from recyclates

Is it possible to recover plastic recyclates from previously unused waste streams in order to produce high-quality fibers and films? How can bio-based polymer fibers be manufactured so as to allow adjustable biodegradability? These are the questions being addressed by researchers from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE in the Zirk-Tex project.

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.

Fraunhofer CCPE presents the “Monomaterial Design Set” – Innovative solutions for circular product design

Composite materials made from different types of plastic often extend the lifetime of products but make recycling more difficult in the circular economy. That is why Fraunhofer CCPE has developed the “Monomaterial Design Set”. This new approach helps to reduce the variety of plastics used in durable products and offers circular solutions for designers and product developers.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

EU and India conclude landmark Free Trade Agreement

The EU and India concluded negotiations today for a historic, ambitious and commercially significant free trade agreement (FTA), the largest such deal ever concluded by either side. It will strengthen economic and political ties between the world's second and fourth largest economies, at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and global economic challenges, highlighting their joint commitment to economic openness and rules-based trade.