#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!

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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.

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.

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.