#Research & Development

2025-03-06

TU Dresden’s ITM and KOTMI sign MOU to promote research into recycled fibers and industrial textile applications

The Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TU Dresden and the Korea Textile Machinery Convergence Research Institute (KOTMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their collaboration in recycled fiber applications for industrial textile products. The agreement marks a significant step in fostering joint research and development in sustainable textile technologies.

Driving innovation in recycled fiber applications

The strategic partnership between ITM and KOTMI aims to accelerate research in the use of recycled fibers for industrial textiles, focusing on eco-friendly solutions for the textile and fiber industry. The MOU also facilitates:

+ Cooperation on government-funded projects

+ Establishment of professional exchange and collaboration networks

+ Joint research efforts in sustainable textile innovations

Collaboration in the ecoLoop-rCF-yarn project

KOTMI is already an active research partner of ITM in the international project “EcoLoop-rCF-Yarn”, which focuses on:

+ Energy-efficient loop technologies for recovering recycled carbon fibers (rCF)

+ Development of dust- and twist-free hybrid yarns and fabrics for composite applications in the automotive industry

This project is jointly funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) in Germany under the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) and by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea.

Strengthening scientific cooperation between Germany and Korea

The signing of this MOU reinforces scientific ties between Germany and South Korea, enhancing collaboration in sustainable textile technologies. By aligning efforts in research and innovation, both institutions aim to contribute to the advancement of environmentally responsible textile solutions for various industrial applications.

This agreement underscores the commitment of ITM and KOTMI to pioneering sustainable textile developments, fostering a global approach to research in fiber and textile technologies.

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.

Teaching Award for the Day Of The Faculty of mechanical science and engineering 2025

On June 28, 2025, almost 300 guests celebrated the Day of the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the Boulevardtheater Dresden. At this year's ceremony, over 60 graduates from the Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering and Natural Materials Technology and Material Science degree programs were given a ceremonial send-off into professional life, 9 doctoral graduates were congratulated on the successful completion of their dissertations and prizes worth a total of 13,500 euros were awarded.

Commissioning of the FRS 1800 high-temperature rheometer at the ITM

In March 2025, the new Furnace System 1800 (FRS 1800) high-temperature rheometer from Anton Paar was put into operation at the Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TU Dresden. The installation was carried out by Fabian Barth and Peter Brandes from Anton Paar in collaboration with Florian Pötzsch and Dr. Dilbar Aibibu from the ITM.

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.

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 highlights textile circular economy and alternative fibres at INDEX™ 2026

From 19 to 22 May 2026, INDEX will invite visitors to Lake Geneva for the world's leading nonwovens trade fair. The Centre of Excellence in Nonwovens at the Sächsisches Textilforschung- sinstitut e.V. (STFI) will be in attendance to present the latest developments in nonwovens research. In the field of the textile circular economy, the STFI will present acoustically effective nonwovens made from chemical recycling residues. The range also includes innovations aimed at replacing conventional raw materials, such as the biobased and biodegradable polymer polybutylene succinate (PBS) and Kendyr as an alternative to cotton.

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.