The German Institute of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) is coordinating a research project, funded as part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program, that aims to develop recyclable outdoor and work clothing made from renewable bio-based materials. The project has been named BioFibreLoop, and the kick-off event took place in Denkendorf, Germany at the end of June.
The textile industry is facing two particular challenges: on the one hand, production must become more sustainable and environmentally friendly, and, on the other hand, consumers are expecting more and more smart functions from clothing.
In addition, the production of functional textiles often involves the use of chemicals that are harmful to the environment and health and make subsequent recycling more difficult.
Intelligent innovations must therefore ensure that harmful chemicals are replaced, water is saved, and more durable, recyclable bio-based materials are used, thereby reducing the usually considerable carbon footprint of textile products. Digitalized processes are intended to ensure greater efficiency and a closed cycle.
For example, the BioFibreLoop project uses laser technology to imitate natural structures in order to produce garments with water and oil-repellent, self-cleaning and antibacterial properties. At the end of the research project, the result work will be affordable, resource and environmentally friendly, yet high-performance and durable fibers and textiles made from renewable sources such as lignin, cellulose and polylactic acid. All processes are aimed at a circular economy with comprehensive recycling and virtually waste-free functionalization based on nature’s example. In this way, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 20 percent by 2035.
The technology for the functionalization and recycling of bio-based materials is being developed in three industrial demonstration projects in Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany. At the end of the project, a patented circular, sustainable and reliable process for the production of recyclable functional textiles will be established.
The BioFibreLoop project has a duration of 42 months and a total budget of almost 7 million euros, with 1.5 million going to the coordinator DITF.
The consortium consists of 13 partners from nine countries who contribute expertise and resources from science and industry:
- German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF), Coordinator, Germany
- Next Technology Tecnotessile Società nazionale di ricerca R. L., Italy
- Centre Technologique ALPhANOV, France
- G. Knopf’s Sohn GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
- FreyZein Urban Outdoor GmbH, Austria
- BEES – BE Engineers for Society, Italy
- BAT Graphics Vernitech, France
- Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum, Belgium
- Idener Research & Development Agrupacion de Interes Economico, Spain
- Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy, Finland
- Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljø, Denmark
- Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH, Germany
- NIL Textile SRO, Czech Republic
The DITF form the largest textile research center in Europe with more than 250 scientific and technical staff. As the world’s only textile research facility and covering an area of more than 25,000 m², the DITF work right across the textile production and value chains. Since 1921, it has been researching across all the major fields within textiles and is considered among the leading research institutions worldwide.
For more information contact:
Dr.-Ing. Thomas Fischer, Deputy Head of Center of Management Research
Tel +49 (0)711 93 40-419
Email: thomas.fischer@ditf.de
