#Weaving

2021-05-12

High-tech behind historic walls: TextielMuseum in the Netherlands buys P2 rapier weaving machine from DORNIER

Only introduced to the market in 2019 and already worth exhibiting: The well-known "TextielMuseum" in Tilburg, the Netherlands, has acquired a P2 rapier weaving machine from Lindauer DORNIER for its textile laboratory. According to its director “a long-cherished dream" came true with the purchase of the weaving machine from the Lindau-based machine and plant manufacturer.

The official tourism website for the Netherlands says Tilburg, which lies about 100 kilometers south of Amsterdam, is a "cosy town". If you click through online travel guides, the city's textile museum is at the top of the list of recommended sights. It is part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage, which connects important historical economic sites in Europe. Located in a 19th century textile factory, the museum sees itself as a "dynamic and creative place". Not only knowledge about the history of the textile industry is passed on here, in fact the areas of design, art, fashion and innovation are interwoven within the construct of textiles.

Textile research in the museum

The "TextielLab" is connected to the museum. Here, students, architects, young artists and established designers from all over the world work on textile research, development and design projects using state-of-the-art technology. Recently, the museum's machine park was extended by a brand new P2 rapier weaving machine from DORNIER. Although the museum already owns three weaving machines, says Hebe Verstappen, head of the textile laboratory, the acquisition of the P2 "fulfilled a long-cherished dream", as the wide range of applications of the machine offers to innovative students, artists and designers completely new technical possibilities to realise their textile ideas and concepts.

Tapestries for exhibition in Bregenz

The first user of the new acquisition will be Otobong Nkanga. "I'm really looking forward to experimenting on the P2," says the performance artist, whose work has already been on show at London's Tate Gallery of Modern Art. The flexibility of the rapier weaving machines on which DORNIER's customers produce fabrics for home textiles, clothing and technical textiles opens up all kinds of possibilities for her to experiment with different yarns, colours and textures. The artist's first project will be a four-part tapestry series that will celebrate its premiere at a solo exhibition at Kunsthaus Bregenz, Austria, this autumn.

Woven creativity in today's world

DORNIER is proud to see the variety of creative woven innovations that are produced on the weaving machines from Lake Constance in the Tilburg "TextielMuseum", but also at many universities, research institutes and design studios. "Weaving is a textile technology that is over 10,000 years old. As a weaving machine manufacturer, we have seen a lot over the decades, but we never cease to be surprised at how great the diversity of ideas in fabric production still is," says Florian Boch, Head of Central Marketing and Communication at DORNIER. The P2 has also been very well received by DORNIER's industrial customers since its introduction in 2019. Weaving mills in Europe, Asia and the USA are ensuring very satisfactory sales figures despite Corona's impact on the global economy. According to the family-owned company DORNIER, this is mainly due to the fact that the P2, as the successor to the rapier weaving machine introduced in 1967, continues to demonstrate its quality as the most flexible rapier weaving machine in the world, which is much-vaunted in expert circles.

Fewer pores, greater impact tolerance: Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2026 honours material research on fibre-reinforced composite components for aerospace industry

Microscopically small pores that form during manufacture, or barely visible impact damage, can severely impair the load-bearing capacity and service life of fibre-reinforced composite components. Two young researchers have presented groundbreaking work in this field and will both be awarded the 2026 Peter Dornier Foundation Prize: Dr.-Ing. Benedikt Neitzel from the Technical University of Ilmenau for his doctoral thesis on pore minimisation in the RTM process, and Johanna Buschmann, M.Sc., for her master’s thesis, completed at the German Aerospace Centre, on the improved impact tolerance of 3D fabrics compared to 2D laminates.

From carbon to canvas: DORNIER presents flexible and reliable weaving technologies for 3D weaving and dynamic markets at Techtextil

At Techtextil from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Frankfurt am Main (Hall 12.0, Stand D95), Lindauer DORNIER will be showcasing reliable and flexible weaving technologies for ever-changing market requirements. The machine and plant manufacturer will present retrofits for existing machines, the new TRITOS® FLEX 3D weaving technology, intuitive automation concepts and software solutions for data-sovereign networking of the weaving machine fleet.

40 years of the Peter Dornier Foundation: Four decades of non-profit commitment to people, culture and the environment in Lindau, Germany and worldwide

The “Haus Brög zum Engel” hospice, the historic farm “Haug am Brückele” and numerous other projects: for over 40 years, the Peter Dornier Foundation has been supporting social and cultural life in Lindau and beyond. The company-related foundation can look back on more than 500 projects it has supported in Germany and worldwide. It was founded in 1985 by Peter Dornier, founder and long-time Managing Director of the international machine and plant manufacturer Lindauer DORNIER, whose profits go into the foundation at a rate of ten percent annually via a holding company. In the future, the foundation intends to expand its commitment in an even more targeted way.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.

Picanol to present its leading weaving technology at ITM 2026

Picanol is pleased to announce it will be participating in ITM 2026 in Istanbul. This is a key event for industry professionals to engage with the Turkish textile industry as well as the extensive international audience attending the fair. During the event, Picanol will present its latest innovations to the visitors in Hall 8, booth 802.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.