#Research & Development

2022-10-20

WhiteCycle - DITF are part of an international consortium for plastics recycling

Polymer Technical Center of the DITF. Photo: DITF

A consortium of 16 public and private sector organizations under the name 'WhiteCycle' has set itself the goal of establishing a comprehensive and closed-loop recycling system for plastic waste. German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are part of this consortium and will make their contribution with a new synthesis process for processing recycled plastics. In doing so, the DITF wants to solve one of the most difficult tasks.

Under the leadership of Michelin Group France, the consortium 'WhiteCycle' was constituted at the beginning of July 2022. The aim of the European initiative is to establish an economic cycle to process inhomogeneous textile waste from different materials and to manufacture new, high-quality products from it. This project is intended to help achieve the targets set by the European Union for reducing CO2 emissions by 2030.

Complex, textile-containing PET waste such as tires, tubes or multilayer composite textiles from the clothing sector have so far been difficult or impossible to recycle. Under the WhiteCycle network, several projects and research approaches will be brought together to address the problem and provide new solutions.

The DITF will adapt an existing PET synthesis process to novel recycled monomers. The fundamental problem to be overcome is the impurities in the starting material due to its inhomogeneous composition. Together with the project partner Kordsa Teknik Textil A.S. (Turkey), the DITF are developing new synthesis concepts. Their aim is to eliminate possible disadvantages caused by residual contamination of the monomers. This is because, despite purification of the monomers prior to further processing, not all impurities can be removed. The approaches taken are demanding. For example, the type and quantity of additives used must be specifically adapted. These include catalysts, processing aids, nucleating and coupling agents, and chain extenders. In this way, it is possible to avoid the negative effects of unknown impurities. This improves the material properties of the recycled plastics, as they are thermally stabilized in the long term, which in turn results in improved mechanical and rheological properties. The modified process should enable recycled PET (r-PET) to have the same properties as commercial PET.

The consortium partners are pursuing other approaches to produce an improved recycling rate and higher-quality r-PET products: optimized sorting technologies for the sorting of waste are part of this, as is enzyme-based treatment of plastics to break them down into monomers in a sustainable way. Ultimately, the high-quality manufacture of new products from the recycled plastics will also help to close the raw material cycle.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

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.

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.

Meadow Grove Research joins ITMF as Corporate Member

Meadow Grove Research is a commodity research firm specializing in supply, demand, and trade analysis in cotton and other soft commodities. Providing clarity to the complex nature of the global fiber supply chain is one of its most formidable services. The firm thrives on customer engagement and providing the best framework for critical decisions.

TERIS reaches milestone: Fraunhofer consortium develops new standards for tire analysis

In the “TERIS” project, the Fraunhofer institutes ICT, IGD, and IWM—led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF—have reached a decisive milestone. For the first time, the teams aim to generate, analyse, and predict tire wear in the laboratory in a standardized and practical manner. As part of this milestone, results are now available on reference abrasion, particle analysis, tribological models, AI-based surface analysis, a test bench concept, and methods for accelerated aging and VOC detection. The tire industry, testing services, and environmental agencies will in future benefit from reliable, rapid laboratory procedures for emissions assessment.

Geotextiles made from recycled materials: GREEN leads the way into the industry

For the industry, recycled materials are creating new opportunities in geotextile production. In the GREEN project, the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE demonstrates that recycled polypro-pylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and high-density polyeth-ylene (HDPE) can be processed into nonwovens, fibers, and membranes that meet industrial requirements. This creates opportunities for use in existing production lines and new value chains in the geotextile market.

2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

The Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen e. V. (proRWTH) looked back on a successful year of support at their 2026 general meeting. The meeting took place at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen and was combined with a joint session of the Executive Board and the Administrative Board. Before the general meeting began, participants were given a guided tour of ITA, providing them with fascinating insights into current research and development topics in textile engineering.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.