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#Research & Development

ITA-Startup „CarboScreen“ is in the final

The ITA startup "CarboScreen" was able to prevail in this year's Engineering Challenge by Mitsubishi and is among the ten finalists. In the coming weeks, an expert jury will select and announce the winner of the Challenge.


The ITA startup
The ITA startup "CarboScreen" was able to prevail in this year's Engineering Challenge by Mitsubishi and is among the ten finalists. In the coming weeks, an expert jury will select and announce the winner of the Challenge. © ITA




CarboScreen is a startup of the Institute für Textiltechnik of RWTH University, which is currently in the process of being founded within the framework of EXIST funding. CarboScreen's business model lies in the development and commercialisation of a multimodal, sensor-based monitoring system for carbon fibre production. Carbon fibres are currently produced by thermal conversion from a PAN-based fiber. The thermal conversion is accompanied by highly exothermic reactions, which present the industry with numerous challenges in the production of carbon fibres. 

By integrating fibre-specific sensor technology combined with AI-based evaluation, CarboScreen enables a doubling of production speed in the long term. In addition to the costs, this also significantly reduces the energy consumption for the production of carbon fibres.


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#Research & Development

Textilfabrik 7.0 launched: Mönchengladbach becomes a real-world lab for sustainable textile production

With the official kick-off event of the Textilfabrik 7.0 (T7), a major transformation project for the German textile and apparel industry has been launched in the Monforts Quarter in Mönchengladbach. At the “Textile Roundtable,” an event format organized by the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier, representatives from industry, research, politics, and the regional economy came together to jointly lay the foundation for CO₂-neutral, circular, and economically viable textile production in Germany.

#Composites

More affordable, environmentally friendly hydrogen pressure tanks at ITA-JEC booth

As a highlight of the JEC, the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University will be presenting hydrogen pressure tanks manufactured using multifilament winding processes at the NRW joint booth in Hall 5, Stand G65.

#Research & Development

Pellet press enables thermomechanical textile recycling on a pilot scale at ITA

Since the end of 2025, the technical centre of the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University has been equipped with a pellet press from the manufacturer Amandus Kahl GmbH & Co. KG, Reinbek, Germany. This press can efficiently compact shredded synthetic textiles at a throughput of up to 25 kg/h and process them into pellets with a diameter of 4 mm.

#Research & Development

Solid Air Dynamics wins second place at RWTH Innovation Award

On 30 January, RWTH spin-off Solid Air Dynamics was awarded second place in the RWTH Innovation Awards for its research in the field of aerogel fibres. Manufactured from renewable raw materials, aerogel fibres offer outstanding thermal insulation, are extremely lightweight and completely biodegradable, and can consist of over 90 per cent air.

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#Research & Development

Textile cascade filter for removing microplastics from wastewater

Microplastics are now found almost everywhere, even in remote regions of Antarctica. They enter the human body through the food chain. Studies indicate that microplastics may have negative effects on the human health.

#Research & Development

Fraunhofer IAP paves the way for "Green" carbon fibers

A new pilot plant in Guben is set to enable the production of bio-based carbon fibers. The plant is part of the Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz and will make an important contribution to the transformation of the Lausitz region—from a traditionally raw material- and basic industry-oriented region to a hub for innovative high-performance materials. The German federal government and the state of Brandenburg are providing the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP with 53.3 million euros for this purpose.

#Research & Development

Hof University develops sustainable textile coating for the fashion of tomorrow from mushrooms

Clothing is often treated as disposable: T-shirts for events, general merchandise, or short-term campaigns frequently end up in the trash after only a few uses. This is particularly problematic given that their production still largely relies on fossil-based materials. This is precisely where a new research project at Hof University of Applied Sciences comes in.

#Techtextil 2026

STFI presents concepts for the textile circular economy and solutions for a healthy and safe life at Techtextil

Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) has been supporting companies in developing marketable innovations for over 30 years. With a clear focus on sustainability, the environment, health and protection, the STFI offers future-oriented research, textile testing for tailor-made solutions and certification of per- sonal protective equipment. At Techtextil 2026, the institute will present ideas for the textile circular econ- omy and showcase solutions for healthy and safe living.

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#Man-Made Fibers

Selenis and Kintra Fibers partner to scale 100% bio-based synthetic fiber technology

Selenis, a leading global specialty polyester manufacturer, today announced a strategic manufacturing partnership with materials science company Kintra Fibers to scale Kintra’s patented fiber-grade PBS resin - a 100% bio-based and biodegradable material designed for textile applications.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Reju secures €135 Million in Dutch NIKI Funding for industrial-scale textile-to-textile regeneration hub at Chemelot Industrial Park, the Netherlands

Reju™, the progressive textile-to-textile regeneration company, has been awarded €135 million in funding under the Netherlands’ Nationale Investeringsregeling Klimaatprojecten Industrie (NIKI) program. The funding will support Reju’s planned industrial-scale Regeneration Hub at Chemelot Industrial Park in Sittard-Geleen, covering both the investment phase and ongoing operations, and represents a critical milestone on the path toward final investment decision.

#Techtextil 2026

TTL showcases nonwoven and needlefelt solutions at Techtextil 2026

Technische Textilien Lörrach GmbH & Co. KG (TTL), part of the Yanpai Group, will present its latest nonwoven and needlefelt solutions for industrial applications at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt.

#Composites

JEC World 2026 confirms its standing as the unmissable event for composites and their applications

JEC World 2026 confirms its position as the leading global event for the composite materials industry and its applications across multiple sectors, bringing together the entire composites ecosystem in Paris for three days of business, innovation, and collaboration. True to its Pushing the Limits motto, the 2026 edition delivered outstanding results despite travel disruptions worldwide. The numbers speak for themselves: more than 1,400 exhibitors from over 50 countries, including over 150 first-timers, presented a global panorama of products, equipment, and services across the entire composites value chain.

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