[pageLogInLogOut]

#Research & Development

Six innovations are nominated for the “Renewable Material of the Year 2022” award

© 2022 NOVA
One way to overcome the chemical industry's dependence on fossil fuels is to replace oil and gas with renewable carbon within the existing structures of the chemical industry. But it applies also to innovation, the development of new processes, building blocks and materials. This requires rethinking of chemistry and materials. Ready-to-use fossil-free sustainable material solutions with a low carbon footprint are in fast-growing demand. Innovative brand owners are keeping an eye out for such solutions, in particular those that will soon reach the mainstream.

Participants at the “Renewable Materials Conference” will vote for the winners

With the innovation award “Renewable Material of the Year 2022”, nova-Institute (organiser) and Covestro (sponsor) would like to award three particularly exciting and promising solutions that contribute to replacing fossil carbon from the ground. Innovations could be submitted until 15 March, and 31 were received. The Advisory Board and the nova-experts had some trouble selecting the six most exciting ones and nominating them for the award. Learn more about the six nominees in the picture and the innovation brochure “Renewable Material of the Year 2022”.

Six “Renewable Material of the Year 2022” Nominees:

Borregaard (NO) – Exilva® fibrillated cellulose / Eastman (US) – Material-to-Material Molecular Recycling Technologies / Lactips (FR) – Plastic Free PaperTM with CareTips® – a Natural Polymer to Rethink Plastic / Origin Materials (US) – Technology Platform for Producing Carbon Negative PET / Twelve Benefit Corporation (US) – Electrochemical CO2 Transformation to Chemicals and Materials and VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie (DE) – VerBioChem Ethenolyis Platform for Renewable Chemicals.


 

The innovation award is one of the highlights of the “Renewable Materials Conference”, 10th-12th May in Cologne (Germany), with 60 confirmed speakers and more than 400 expected participants. On the second conference-day, the nominated companies will present their products and all conference participants, on site and online, will vote for the three winners. This exciting competition will be decided by the participants themselves.

All information and registration are available at: http://www.renewable-materials.eu

The nova-Institute would like to thank the innovation award Sponsor Covestro (DE) and  Premium Partner CLIB (DE) for their support. Many thanks also to all Gold Sponsors Alfalaval (SE), Avantium (NL), Henkel (DE), GS Biotech (CN), IFF (US), Neste (FI), UPM Biochemicals (FI), Sorona (NL) and Sugar Energy (CN), Silver Sponsors FKUR (DE), Renolit (DE) and Suncoal (DE) and last but not least Bronze Sponsor Cargill (US).



More News from TEXDATA International

#Texprocess 2026

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

#Techtextil 2026

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

#Techtextil 2026

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

#Texprocess 2026

Between investment restraint and modernization pressure

Texprocess 2026 takes place in a complex market environment shaped by uncertainty and innovation pressure. In this interview, Elgar Straub (VDMA) explains why the trade fair is particularly relevant this year and which technologies are driving efficiency and competitiveness.

More News on Research & Development

#Research & Development

Elastic yarns to become more recyclable and environmentally friendly in future

On 29 April 2026, ITA student Tobias Dickmeiß was awarded a sponsorship prize by the Wilhelm Lorch-Stiftung for his innovative approach, to replacing conventional elastane with elastic yarns made from thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPC). Thanks to their thermoplastic nature and compatibility with typical polyesters used in the textile industry, elastic TPC yarns offer improved recyclability. Furthermore, the use of the melt-spinning process in yarn production eliminates the need for solvents that are harmful to the environment and human health.

#Research & Development

Walter Reiners Foundation Prize awarded to three ITA graduates

Sabina Dann, Lukas Balon and Annegret Storm from the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation Prize by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) for their master’s and bachelor’s theses. Peter Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards during Techtextil at the VDMA stand in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

#Techtextil 2026

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

#Research & Development

Regional hemp bast for lightweight construction profiles

The cultivation of fibre hemp for the production of ropes and clothing has a long tradition in Saxony. Due to its excellent fibre properties, it is also suitable as a renewable raw material for reinforcement in fibre composites. At the STFI and IWU in Chemnitz, the CannaPul project is cur- rently investigating how a regional value chain for hemp-based lightweight construction profiles can be established. To this end, the technical processing of hemp fibres into continuous fibre strands and their embedding in a suitable bio-based matrix are being investigated.

Latest News

#INDEX 2026

Innovations for today – solutions for tomorrow: Trützschler Nonwovens at INDEX™ 2026

From 19 to 22 May, Trützschler Nonwovens will present itself at booth 1641 as a long-term partner to its customers. The focus will be on new products for all nonwoven processes, further developments of the digital working environment T‑ONE, and an expanded service portfolio.

#ITM 2026

Seamless Splicer to headline Mesdan S.p.A. presentation at ITM 2026

MESDAN S.p.A. will once again participate in ITM 2026, Turkey’s most important textile trade fair. The Italy-based leading manufacturer of yarn joining solutions and textile testing equipment,will be exhibiting at the booth of their local agent for the spinning, SARTEKS MAKINA at Hall 7, Stand 701A.

#HIGHTEX 2026

HIGHTEX 2026 technical textile and nonwoven industry to gather in Istanbul

Between 9–13 June 2026, the HIGHTEX 2026 exhibition, held at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul and organized concurrently with ITM 2026, is preparing to become one of the most significant global gatherings of the technical textiles and nonwoven industry. Bringing together more than 1,000 companies and agency representatives from 55 countries, the event will unite the latest technologies, innovative solutions, and investment opportunities within a single platform.

#ITM 2026

The most comprehensive platform bringing together global textile investors: ITM 2026

ITM 2026, the world's second-largest exhibition in textile technologies, is preparing to open its doors in Istanbul as the 'most comprehensive', 'most accessible', and 'most secure' international platform for global textile investors. With over 1000 companies and company representatives from 55 countries, ITM 2026 will transform into a hub for global trade, attracting thousands of professional visitors, generating machinery sales, and fostering new business collaborations.

TOP