#Research & Development

2022-04-21

Inditex rolls over the InTalent Programme which will bring 15 excellent researchers to Universidade da Coruña

Inditex is stepping up its commitment to research talent in the university arena with the second edition of InTalent, a programme endowed by the Group with €1.5 million, which will allow Universidade da Coruña (UDC) to hire 15 top-class researchers.

This Wednesday, the CEO of Inditex, Óscar García Maceiras, and the Dean of UDC, Julio Abalde, put their names to the agreement for the rollout of the second edition of the InTalent Programme.

That agreement for attracting research talent, which was signed in UDC's Dean’s Office, entails €1.5 million of funding from Inditex. Thanks to this patronage, UDC will be able to hire 15 stellar researchers during the term of the agreement, which runs until 2026.

The InTalent Programme is open to researchers of any nationality keen to pursue his or her lines of investigation at UDC that are already beneficiaries of the Ramón y Cajal Grants awarded by Spain’s Ministry of Science and Innovation.

The aim is to raise the level of UDC’s research effort and make it beacon for excellent researchers from Spain and abroad and to increase funding for research initiatives.

Six researchers during the first edition

The first edition of InTalent, which got underway in October 2016 with funding of €1.45 million from Inditex, allowed UDC to hire six top-class researchers which it selected from more than 300 applicants from all around the world (194 Spaniards with the remaining 122 candidates coming from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa).

The achievements under the umbrella of InTalent by Elena Pazos, José Antonio Cortés, Ana Rey, Jorge Ledo, Mónica Ferrín and José A. Iglesias in the areas of chemistry, environmental science and social anthropology, biology, history, political science and computing science generated a return of close to €7 million for UDC, that is, a return of five euros for every euro invested in the programme.

Elena Pazos went on to win one of the most prestigious science grants in Europe - the European Research Council’s €1.5-million Starting Grant - for further pursuit of her research work. The other participants also obtained Ramón y Cajal Grants for finishing up their projects.

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: 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.

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.

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.

Textile climate control system in workwear – exhibition at the 2026 SME Innovation Day!

Conventional protective workwear often reaches its limits during strenuous physical activity. In particular, the transport of sweat and excess body heat poses a problem. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) conducted research on flow-optimized, air-conducting textile structures that enable targeted climate control directly on the body. These structures can be integrated straight into protective work garments. The textile climate control system supports the body’s natural thermoregulation. This contributes to improved workplace safety and comfort.

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.

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.

Itema to showcase weaving excellence at ITM 2026

From June 9 to 13, Itema will exhibit at ITM 2026 in Istanbul (Hall 8 – Stand 806D), unveiling a distinctive exhibition concept designed to highlight the Company’s expertise across the entire weaving value chain. For this year’s edition, Itema will introduce an innovative stand experience built around two core areas: advanced weaving and spare parts solutions and an immersive textile gallery featuring fabrics produced by Itema Customers worldwide.

Last chance to apply: ITMA 2027 Start-Up Valley closes tomorrow

Applications for the Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 close tomorrow, offering young technology companies the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of several successful participants from the 2023 edition. The initiative, organised under the CEMATEX Start-Up Grant programme, has already helped a number of textile start-ups accelerate their transition from early-stage concepts to industrial partnerships, funding rounds and commercial deployment.