#Techtextil 2019

2019-05-11

ITA at Techtextil 2019

The Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University, short ITA, will present its expertise in the field of ambient lighting at Techtextil 2019 on the Elmatex stand in Hall 3.0, Stand D05, with the demonstrator light textiles that shows a new type of energy storage system for furniture applications (model vehicle for fuel cell drive), with efficient textile products (e.g. sports bra) and with new materials for aerospace applications (MoonFibre)

Ambient Lighting - Demonstrator Light Textiles

With the Demonstrator Light Textiles, ITA shows an illuminated textile by using light-guiding fibres and polymer optical fibres (POF). This is ideally suited to design illuminated surfaces in the interior, e.g. in the automotive or home sector. This textile solution offers a flexible, drapable surface with a soft, pleasant feel in a limited space. ITA provides the fibre and process development. The key partner is Mentor GmbH & Co. Präzisions-Bauteile KG in Erkrath, Germany.

Background:

The polymer optical fiber (POF) demonstrator was developed as part of an ongoing cooperation between Mentor and the ITA. This is a research & development model which is linked to a doctorate at ITA and at the cooperation partner. This model offers ITA's industrial partners the opportunity to conduct targeted research in a specific field and to train qualified employees. Further information is available from jan.kallweit@ita.rwth-aachen.de.

Ambient Lighting - Demonstrator Light Textiles (c) 2019 ITA

Novel Energy Storage for Mobility Applications - Remote-Controlled Model Vehicle with Fuel Cell Drive

The remote-controlled model vehicle with fuel cell drive (RC-Car) is an emission-free model car with lightweight tanks and body made of fibre composite plastics (FRP). It consists of kits from Tamiya-Carson Modellbau GmbH & Co. KG and Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies Pte. Ltd.

The pressure vessels (Composite Pressure Vessel-CPV) of the RC-Car were manufactured by ITA with a new winding technology for pressure vessels with carbon fibres on a machine from Murata, Japan. The CPVs are produced by multifilament winding, which promises a higher productivity than conventional wet winding. They CPV can withstand high pressures, e.g. 700 bar, and offers significant weight savings compared to batteries. The CPVs enable emission-free, long-range, hydrogen-based propulsion that can be refuelled quickly and represents ITA's contribution to mobility and energy revolution. The CPVs contribute to a sustainable energy balance, since, for example, rare earths are not required as in battery production.

The target group for the CPVs is the transport sector. In the automotive industry, CPVs provide the basis for a lighter drive concept, as they can be charged more quickly and offer greater lightweight potential than batteries. For the aerospace sector, the new winding technology represents an alternative, faster manufacturing process to wet-willing pressure vessels. Further information is available from tim.moelling@ita.rwth-aachen.de.

Aerospace materials – MoonFibre - From Regolith to Textiles (c) 2019 ITA

Efficient Textile Production - Sports Bra

With ist new sports bra, ITA shows a newly developed innovative process for the highly productive manufacturing of three-dimensional knitted fabrics on large circular knitting machines without additional separating and joining steps. Large circular knitting is significantly faster and more efficient than flat knitting which was previously used.

The garments (here a sports bra) can be tailored seamlessly and individually to size in a single step and are thus an example of a store-factory approach, i.e. customer-specific just-in-time production in a specialist shop on site. This new process is patented and forms the basis for licensing this technology to new business fields and other industries. Further information is available from christoph.peiner@ita.rwth-aachen.de.

Aerospace materials - MoonFibre

Many nations are toying with the idea of setting up a lunar station and to use the moon as a source of raw materials, a research site, a stepping stone into the solar system and a tourist destination. But the transport of the material for a lunar station is very costly: to bring material from the earth to the moon costs up to 1 million € per kilogram. For a lunar station, at least 450 tons are needed.

ITA's solution: produce directly on the moon! A lot of moon rock is very similar to basalt. ITA has already developed a production process to spin mineral fibres based on lunar rock. Within MoonFibre, ITA uses this experience for the production of fibres for the reinforcement of three-dimensional structures on the basis of moon rock and produces the fibres for the construction of the moon station directly on site. ITA's approach is supported by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). In addition, the project is funded by Crowd-Funding. Further information is available from alexander.lueking@ita.rwth-aachen.de.

We look forward to meeting you at the joint stand of Elmatex in Hall 3.0, booth D05!

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.

Award-winning research for sustainable carbon fibre cycles

Sustainable recycling of carbon fibres is possible through targeted electrochemical surface modification, which makes the sizing of carbon fibres resistant to solvolysis. ITA PhD student Sabina Dann was awarded the MSW Award from RWTH Aachen University for her master's thesis on this development. The award ceremony took place on 12 November 2025 in Aachen.

Kick-off for the Textile Production of the Future: Establishment of a Textile Technology and Development Centre in Mönchengladbach, Germany

The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University, together with its partners, is pleased to announce that it has received approval for its joint initiative, ‘Textile Factory 7.0’. The goal of the project is the establishment of a technology and development centre for the textile industry in Mönchengladbach.

Exchange data between textile companies openly, securely and cost-effectively without a central platform – ITA makes it possible

The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University has launched a new demonstrator for an open and secure data space in the textile industry at the Digital Innovation Centre Europe (DICE). For the first time, the demonstrator shows directly and clearly how companies can share their data securely with each other without the need for a central platform. Data exchange is based on shared, freely usable technical foundations.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.