Returned items, sustainability and smart textiles are the focus at the Textile Logistics Forum

Dr Thomas Grünewald, President of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, emphasised in his presentation the close ties between Fraunhofer IML and the university and outlined the joint development of the textile industry in Mönchengladbach.

"We see great potential for logistics through digitalisation and automation. In order to be able to use them in textile logistics as well, the specific requirements and dynamics of the textile industry must be considered at an early stage in both science and business and sustainability must be taken into account," said Prof. Uwe Clausen, Institute Director at Fraunhofer IML.

The industry and association representatives then addressed the current topics using examples and projects from their work. Among other things, they discussed the challenges of textile processing in returns management, increasing sustainability and establishing textile cycles, the change in the fashion industry due to the automation of conveyor technology, and the question of how workwear becomes sustainable smart textiles.

Dr. Uwe Mazura, Managing Director of the German Textile and Fashion Industry Association (Gesamtverband der deutschen Textil- und Modeindustrie e. V.), provided a critical view with his lecture "Are we regulating ourselves to death? European legislation from the perspective of textiles + fashion".

Professor Dr.-Ing. Markus Muschkiet, Head of the Center Textillogistik (CTL) in Mönchengladbach, took stock at the end of the event: "I am extremely pleased that we were once again able to cover a wide range of current topics at the 4th Textillogistik Forum, but also to provide an outlook on how the work of the CTL supports the industry."

Fraunhofer IML and Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences have already been working together within the CTL since 2018. Together, two teams at the locations in Mönchengladbach and Dortmund are developing solutions for both industries under the motto "Logistics for textiles - textiles for logistics". The Textile Logistics Forum is held annually, alternating between the two locations.