#Research & Development

2022-12-21

ITA group & APS GmbH, Germany sign a MOU with DKTE for robotics & automation training courses

ITA Group & APS GmbH have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DKTE on 10th December 2022 on the DKTE stall on the sidelines of the ITME exhibition. ITA Group and APS GmbH will train 100 students from different streams of engineering of DKTE institute on Robotics and Automation. This will make the students ready to enter the industry with upskilled knowledge on Robotics and Automation which domains are now part of today’s manufacturing industry. Modular structured courses will enable a step-by-step qualification and development of knowledge and skills of the students.

The specialized training courses for the 100 engineering students of DKTE are jointly sponsored by Truetzschler India and Rossari Biotech group of companies. ITA, APS and DKTE are thankful to Dr Schuerenkraemer and Mr Thomson of Truetzschler group and Mr Sunil Chari and Mr Edward Menezes of Rossari Biotech group for their gracious gesture.

The MOU signing, on the sidelines of ITME 2022, was done by Prof. Dr. Thomas Gries, Chairman, ITA group and Mr. Prakash Datwade, Governing board member (DKTE). Others present for the event were Mr. Gurudas Aras, Strategy Advisor-India ,ITA group, Dr. Mohit Raina, MD, Raina Industries, Mr. Sunil Patil (DKTE board member) and Prof U J Patil with other professors and students of DKTE.

APS GmbH based in Aachen, Germany is active in the fields of Robotics, Sensor Technology, Information and Communication technology. It is part of ITA Group, a German Research Institute under the RWTH Aachen University. DKTE is a highly rated leading engineering institute at Ichalkaranji, India.

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.

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.

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.

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

Regional hemp bast for lightweight construction profiles

The cultivation of fibre hemp for the production of ropes and clothing has a long tradition in Saxony. Due to its excellent fibre properties, it is also suitable as a renewable raw material for reinforcement in fibre composites. At the STFI and IWU in Chemnitz, the CannaPul project is cur- rently investigating how a regional value chain for hemp-based lightweight construction profiles can be established. To this end, the technical processing of hemp fibres into continuous fibre strands and their embedding in a suitable bio-based matrix are being investigated.

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.