#Research & Development

2022-12-15

Monforts continues to support young talented textile technologists

Pictured (left to right) are Claus Hiltmann (Monforts Head of R&D), new Niederrhein students Lisa Gudehus and Saskia Kuhlen, and Monforts Textile Technologist Jonas Beisel. © 2022 Monforts

A. Monforts Textilmaschinen, world-leading supplier of textile dyeing and finishing machines, is continuing to provide support to the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Niederrhein) located in Mönchengladbach, Germany, home to the company for nearly 140 years.

Having backed the University’s German Scholarship Programme (Deutschlandstipendium) since 2010, Monforts is granting scholarships to three students in the running student year 2022/2023. Wilm Scharlemann, Head of Human Resources, underlined Monforts‘ commitment to young talents: “One of our top priorities is finding well-qualified and dedicated staff. That is why we have been supporting the University’s scholarship programme since its beginning.“ He went on saying that Monforts provides opportunities for young talents and students studying for Bachelor or Masters degrees – with the goal of joining the Monforts team in future.

Nicole Croonenbroek, Marketing Manager at Monforts, specified: “Each of our textile machines is unique and designed according to the customers‘ special requirements. Young talents are often surprised when they hear of the many opportunities that a company like Monforts can offer. Our market is no longer just about textiles for clothing. The textile world of today covers airbags, blood filters, smartphone components, sun blinds, medical bandages or automotive headliners.“

Apart from its commitment to students at the Hochschule Niederrhein, Monforts is celebrating fifty years of membership in the Assocation of German Textile Experts (VDTF - Verband Deutscher Textilfachleute e.V.) – a pool of excellence in the textile finishing industry.

“Textile finishing in Germany has been strengthened through the VDTF association’s work. Some 65 supporting companies and approx. 850 members have created links to textile research centres at the universities in Aachen, Moenchengladbach and other places“, says Thomas Päffgen, Area Sales Manager at Monforts and former member of the VDTF’s Management Board for many years.

Jonas Beisel, one of Monforts‘ textile technologists, delivered a well-received lecture on the company’s integrated heat recovery and exhaust air system MonforClean at a VDTF meeting. “The VDTF is a great source of inspiration. Getting in touch with other experts in the textile finishing research business, company visits, lectures and informal meetings are an excellent opportunity for fruitful exchange.“

Smart textiles can also be sustainable, eco-friendly and AI-powered – ITA at Techtextil 2026

Sports shoes made from algae, leggings made from mushrooms, filtering (diesel) oil from water, 4D textiles, recyclable, sustainable and featuring AI – this is what the ITA Group is presenting at three individual stands run by ITA Aachen, ITA Augsburg gGmbH and ITA Technologietransfer GmbH on the joint stand of Elmatex in hall 12.0 D05.

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.

Hohenstein publishes 2025 Sustainability Report

The testing and research service provider Hohenstein has published its latest sustainability report, outlining key progress and strategic initiatives. The report focuses on ambitious CO₂ reduction targets, the company’s new mission statement and the systematic expansion of sustainable services for customers worldwide.

ITM presents cutting-edge textile research at Techtextil

From April 21 to 24, 2026, the Chair of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TUD Dresden University of Technology will be presenting its current research at Techtextil, the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. In Hall 12.0, Stand D41, the team will be demonstrating how it combines high-performance fibers, AI-supported digital development tools and innovative machine technologies to develop textile solutions for lightweight construction, construction, medical technology and sustainable production from atom to product.

Speed and connectivity: Techtextil and Texprocess provided market-ready solutions for industries under pressure

With more than 36,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors from a total of 112 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 demonstrated how innovation comes into industrial use. The convergence of research, industry and application proved to be a breeding ground for new material solutions, manufacturing and processing technologies. Natural fibres, performance apparel, connected systems and AI-driven processing technologies emerged as key growth and future markets.

Italian Textile Machinery heads to Geneva for Index 2026

An important delegation of Italian companies will exhibit at the upcoming INDEX 2026, the world’s leading event for the nonwovens sector, taking place from May 19 to 22 in Geneva (Switzerland). Numerous Italian exhibitors will be present within the Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT, an exhibition area of over 140 square meters dedicated to the latest innovations proposed by the Italian industry.