#Research & Development

2022-03-10

Competence Center WIRKsam designs innovative workplaces with AI

Shaping the world of work in the Rhenish textile and coal region with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) is the task of the WIRKsam competence centre, which companies and research institutions are tackling together.

About the WIRKsam Competence Centre

For decades, lignite shaped the Rhenish coalfield, which is also one of Germany's traditionally important textile regions. Due to the approaching phase-out of lignite mining, the region is facing a structural change that represents a major economic, social and ecological challenge. This affects companies in a wide range of sectors and numerous jobs in the region. The WIRKsam competence centre is researching how this change can be achieved with the use of innovative technology and how attractive, innovative jobs can be created. The technological focus is on the use of artificial intelligence, which is one of the fields of action identified in the "Economic and Structural Program for the Rhenish Future Region" of the “Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier”.

Artificial intelligence is changing the world of work

AI will change human work. As a result, it will also provide considerable opportunities in the working world of the future, for relief, further training and innovation. Because working with AI is not a technology-driven fate; rather, there is considerable potential for shaping it. This is where WIRKsam comes in. Together with various regional companies, research partners and IT enablers are developing prototype AI applications in an innovatively designed real lab in Hürth. Together with the technical development and testing of the AI solutions, the labor-science partners analyse and design the aspects of work for all people in the company. The basis is the MTO principle, according to which people, technology and organization are viewed holistically in their interrelationships.

The expert consortium ifaa, ITA and MASCOR and the participating companies

Under the coordination of ifaa - Institut für angewandte Arbeitswissenschaft e. V. (Institute for Applied Industrial Science), research and practice partners are working together for change in the Rhenish coalfield. At ifaa and ITA (Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University), scientists are researching how work can be supported by AI and how both should be designed to do so. ITA contributes its expert knowledge in textile technology and textile mechanical engineering. The Institute for Mobile Autonomous Systems and Cognitive Robotics (MASCOR) at FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences is responsible for the conceptual design and research of AI. Three IT companies are developing the AI systems, which are being tested in the everyday work of various application companies. Currently, nine companies are application partners for the development and testing of the AI applications; another six companies will follow in mid-2024.

You can find out more about the WIRKsam competence centre and all the partners involved at http://www.WIRKsam.nrw

The WIRKsam competence centre is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the "Regional Competence Centres of Labor Research" funding measure and is supervised by the Karlsruhe Project Management Agency (PTKA) (funding code: 02L19C600).

Cordially invitation to the online project launch on March 29, 2022

On March 29, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., the WIRKsam competence centre will celebrate its project launch, to which WIRKsam cordially invites TexData readers.

The event will start with a greeting from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). After a speech by Professor Dr Andreas Pinkwart, Minister for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, futurologist Kai Gondlach will continue through the evening. Join in with questions and comments in a varied expert panel discussion!

The event will take place online. Please log in here to register and watch the livestream. Please notice that the event will take place in German.

https://event.arbeitswissenschaft.net/#/events/63c8f11a-f2ac-4623-a42a-769f9be72b88/register/new

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.

Pellet press enables thermomechanical textile recycling on a pilot scale at ITA

Since the end of 2025, the technical centre of the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University has been equipped with a pellet press from the manufacturer Amandus Kahl GmbH & Co. KG, Reinbek, Germany. This press can efficiently compact shredded synthetic textiles at a throughput of up to 25 kg/h and process them into pellets with a diameter of 4 mm.

Solid Air Dynamics wins second place at RWTH Innovation Award

On 30 January, RWTH spin-off Solid Air Dynamics was awarded second place in the RWTH Innovation Awards for its research in the field of aerogel fibres. Manufactured from renewable raw materials, aerogel fibres offer outstanding thermal insulation, are extremely lightweight and completely biodegradable, and can consist of over 90 per cent air.

Stylish design made from sustainable materials – two DITF research projects receive Techtextil Innovation Awards

Materials made from domestic, renewable raw materials reduce CO₂ emissions, prevent microplastics from entering the environment, and close the material cycle. The German Institutes for Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are developing nature-based alternatives to synthetically produced and predominantly petroleum-based materials. Two research projects have received a prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award. NUO Flexholz and the lignin-coated material FormLig demonstrate that sustainable concepts can meet high standards of functionality and design. Both projects were carried out in close collaboration with industry.

Hohenstein publishes 2025 Sustainability Report

The testing and research service provider Hohenstein has published its latest sustainability report, outlining key progress and strategic initiatives. The report focuses on ambitious CO₂ reduction targets, the company’s new mission statement and the systematic expansion of sustainable services for customers worldwide.

ITM presents cutting-edge textile research at Techtextil

From April 21 to 24, 2026, the Chair of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TUD Dresden University of Technology will be presenting its current research at Techtextil, the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. In Hall 12.0, Stand D41, the team will be demonstrating how it combines high-performance fibers, AI-supported digital development tools and innovative machine technologies to develop textile solutions for lightweight construction, construction, medical technology and sustainable production from atom to product.

Closing completed – Mayer & Cie. Global starts business operations

The future of the Mayer & Cie. brand has been secured: Following the successful completion of the purchase agreement for assets in the circular knitting machinery segment of the German traditional company Mayer & Cie., which was signed in February this year, the brand will continue to exist. The transfer of these assets to the new owner, Xu Hongjie, was formally completed yesterday afternoon. This clears the way for the resumption of business operations at the Albstadt site.

Techtextil 2026 recognition for the UK’s FET

Fibre Extrusion Technology (FET) will receive the Techtextil 2026 New Production Technology Innovation Award at next week’s Techtextil in Frankfurt (April 21-24). The Leeds-based member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) has developed the FET-500, a new toxic solvent-free gel small scale system for the production of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

Lower CO2, stronger bonds: Indorama Ventures enables customers’ performance at Techtextil

At Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, Indorama Ventures presents its latest material innovations aimed at supporting customers in achieving both performance and sustainability targets. The company highlights solutions based on recycled and bio-based raw materials as well as advanced binder fibers, addressing current market demands for lower CO₂ emissions, improved efficiency, and reliable supply.