#Research & Development

2024-10-31

STFI Theme Day: Advancing technologies for a circular textile economy

The circular textile economy is a topic that has garnered widespread attention. However, achieving this goal requires more than ambition—it calls for collaboration and robust networks. Recognizing this, the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) invites partners from industry, academia, and research to engage in a dynamic professional exchange focused on this critical subject.

Challenges on the path to a circular textile economy are diverse and complex. They span across material research, processing and treatment technologies, product design, usage and care, business models, and even policy measures, which play a crucial role in incentivizing transformation. Given the current single-digit recycling rates, there's a considerable journey ahead. However, recent advancements in textile waste collection, sorting, and processing demonstrate that transformative momentum is building. Solutions must be as diverse as textile product designs themselves, with a circular economy emerging as a culture that involves us all.

For over 30 years, STFI has served as an innovation partner and service provider to a wide array of sectors within the textile industry. With the development of the Center for Textile Sustainability and the addition of a wetlaid nonwovens line, STFI has further advanced its expertise in nonwoven innovation, textile recycling, and testing services.

Event Program:

09:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Registration at the Center for Textile Sustainability

Welcome Address: Dr. Yvette Dietzel, Head of Research at STFI

Circular Textile Economy – Topics, Trends, and Perspectives: Johannes Leis, M. Sc., STFI

Are Natural Fibers a Mega Trend? Dr. Jörg Morgner, Temafa Maschinenfabrik GmbH

TBA – Caspar Böhme, Sumo GmbH

Technologies for Textile Circular Economy at STFI: Johannes Leis, M. Sc. & Dipl.-Ing./Dipl.-WI Ina Sigmund, STFI

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch and Tours of facilities, including the Textile Recycling Center, Spinning Mill, Wetlaid Technology Centre, and Laser Technology Centre

End of Event and Commencement of STFI General Meeting

Registration Details:

Participants may register until November 25, 2020, at

https://www.stfi.de/thementag

Join STFI as they want to explore and shape the future of a circular textile economy through innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology at STFI’s Theme Day.

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.

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.

The region of renewable raw materials: Central German Alliance for Bioplastics

The development of sustainable plastic solutions is rapidly gaining importance in light of global environ- mental pollution, dwindling fossil resources and ambitious climate protection targets. As part of the re- gional alliance RUBIO, which brings together 18 partners from central Germany and the Berlin-Branden- burg area, the bio-based and biodegradable plastic polybutylene succinate (PBS) was comprehensively investigated, starting with the raw material, through the manufacturing process, to industrial application.

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.

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.

FET’s revolutionary gel spinning system wins Techtextil Innovation Award

FET has received the prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.

Savio Macchine Tessili will exhibit at ITM Istanbul 2026 presenting its flagship technologies

Savio Macchine Tessili will participate in ITM Istanbul 2026 in a corporate booth of Vandewiele Group, showcasing a selection of its most advanced winding and spinning solutions designed to support textile mills in achieving higher efficiency, flexibility and yarn quality. The company will bring to the show three flagship solutions: Proxima Smartconer®, Lybra Smartspinner® and the Phoenix Assembly Winder.

Rieter at ITM 2026: Spinning Redefined with Automation and Intelligence

Spinning mills need solutions that deliver stability, efficiency and future-proof performance. Rieter has put together a powerful portfolio for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye. These innovations give customers the tools to enhance cost efficiency, improve responsiveness and actively develop their competitive edge. Step-by-step, Rieter is moving closer to its Vision 2027 – the fully automated spinning mill. With each new technology, Rieter enables spinning mills worldwide to operate with greater precision and reliability, ensuring they remain at the forefront of an increasingly demanding global market.