#Research & Development

2022-11-24

First IRISS General Assembly

On 23 and 24 November 2022, Textile ETP attended the first in-person General Assembly of the IRISS project in Stockholm, Sweden.

The General Assembly, hosted by project coordinator IVL Swedish Environmental Institute, was an opportunity to meet in person to discuss the objectives and the different work packages of the project, and analyse the different value chains and their stakeholders

The IRISS project, an Horizon Europe funded initiative, explores how to apply the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design Concept (SSbD) in practice, with research and industry experts from different chemicals and materials processing value chains. In the project, Textile ETP represents the textile value chain working closely with Swiss materials institute Empa.

SSbD, promoted by the European Commission, will not only concern new material development, but also what is on today's market, in order to replace existing materials/products by ones a superior safety and sustainability profiles.

More information on IRISS here:

https://iriss-ssbd.eu/english/ivl/project/iriss.html

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Aachen Summer School: Textiles become smart through 3D printing and origami

From 21 to 29 September 2026, the Aachen Summer School will transform Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University into a laboratory of the future: over the course of a week, students will use origami folding techniques and 3D printing to develop active textile structures capable of performing programmable movements. This interdisciplinary event combines theoretical foundations with practical prototyping – from digital modelling right through to functional textile prototypes.

25 years of medical devices: ITVP combines experience with innovation

ITV Denkendorf Produktservice GmbH (ITVP) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. On October 1, 2001, ITVP was founded as a subsidiary of the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF), Europe’s largest textile research center. This spin-off company made it possible to consolidate expertise in medical technology and significantly expand production, which had previously been initiated mostly in the DITF’s cleanrooms.

An eco-friendly alternative to fluorocarbon treatments

Protective and outdoor clothing derives its durable water-, dirt- and oil- repellent properties from the application of fluorinated polymers or per- and polyfluorinated low-molecular- weight chemicals (PFCs). The beneficial properties thus achieved on textiles are offset by environmental and human health risks. For manufacturers of sports, medical, protective and automotive textiles, researchers at the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. and the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research have developed liquid-applied dispersions and solutions to functionalise textiles without the use of fluorine.

Trützschler to showcase innovations in spinning preparation and nonwovens at ITMA Asia 2026

From November 20 to 24, 2026, the Trützschler Group will present its latest fiber processing technologies at ITMA Asia in Shanghai, China. At Hall 5.1, Booth D20, the company will showcase solutions designed to increase productivity, simplify operations and improve efficiency across spinning preparation and nonwoven production. Key highlights include the automated can transport system T-CAN, the next-generation card TC 30, innovative card clothing solutions such as STEELTOP and SUPERFLOW, as well as advanced nonwoven technologies for hygiene, wipes and filtration applications.

ROICA™ brings global textile innovation to Functional Fabric Fair Portland

ROICA™, the premium stretch fiber by Asahi Kasei, will make its debut appearance at Functional Fabric Fair Portland on October 27-28, 2026, at the Oregon Convention Center (Stand 256). Bringing together textile developments from partner companies across Europe and Asia, the ROICA™ booth will present a diverse collection of fabric solutions for performance, outdoor, mobility, swimwear, cy-cling, and lifestyle applications.

Toray develops Polyester-Nylon fiber containing at least 93% recycled material by mass

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a polyester-nylon fiber with at least 93% recycled content by mass, based on the total weight of the raw yarn. This percentage applies to the newly developed raw yarn and does not represent the recycled content of the finished fabric or garment.