Aus der Branche

Im Mittelpunkt des Messeauftritts des Sächsischen Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) stehen im Jahr 2022 aktuelle Entwicklungen, die sich dem Recycling und der Nachhaltigkeit von Leichtbauwerkstoffen widmen. Der Einsatz von rezyklierten Hochleistungsfasern wird an diversen Anwendungsbeispielen aus den Bereichen Sport und Freizeit sowie Mobilität erlebbar gemacht. Beispielsweise werden die Ergebnisse des zum 30.03.2022 beendeten IGF-Vorhabens „VliesSMC“ präsentiert. Gemeinsam mit dem Forschungspartner Fraunhofer ICT, Pfinztal, wurde im Rahmen des Projektes der Einsatz von rezyklierten Carbonfasern in der SMC-Prozesskette detailliert untersucht. Hierzu wurden zunächst Vliesstoffe entwickelt, die es ermöglichen, die rezyklierten Carbonfasern der SMC-Anlage zuzuführen. Die hergestellten SMC-Halbzeuge konnten anschließend sowohl im Form- als auch Fließpressverfahren verarbeitet werden. Der Benchmark mit konventionellen SMC-Produkten zeigte, dass bei niedrigerem Faservolumengehalt vergleichbare Kennwerte erzielt werden konnten.

Zukunftsweisende Materialien bieten zudem die Entwicklungen aus dem Bereich nachwachsender Rohstoffe in Kombination mit biobasierten Harzsystemen. Das Projekt Gro-Coce verfolgte das Ziel, durch die Verbindung nachhaltiger Bauprodukte und -weisen ein innovatives Deckensystem zu entwickeln, welches auf Grundlage der Holz-Beton-Verbundbauweise (HBV-Bauweise) als ökonomische und ökologisch vorteilhafte Alternative zu den momentan vorherrschenden, energie- und ressourcenintensiven Deckenkonstruktionen aus Stahlbeton funktioniert. Das Deckensystem besteht aus Holzstegen, deren Zugzone durch hochleistungsfähige hanffaserbasierte Armierungstextilien verstärkt wird. Dadurch gelingt eine deutliche Reduktion des notwendigen Holzquerschnittes und eine anforderungsgerechtere sowie verantwortungsvollere Nutzung des Querschnitts für alle üblichen Spannweiten des Hoch- und Geschossbaus. Ziel war die Verwirklichung hoher mechanischer Kennwerte der Fasern, bei gleichzeitig geringer Streuung der Materialeigenschaften, um ein im Vergleich zu industriell gefertigten Fasern konkurrenzfähiges und nachhaltiges Produkt aufbieten zu können.

Zudem stellt das STFI neueste Möglichkeiten zur kontinuierlichen Herstellung von Organoblechen vor. Unter Einsatz einer Intervallheißpresse wurden in den letzten Jahren Organobleche auf Basis unterschiedlichster Verstärkungsstrukturen in Kombination mit thermoplastischen Matrixsystemen entwickelt. Die Palette reicht dabei vom industrieüblichen PP und PA bis hin zu hochtemperaturbeständigen Polymeren wie PPS oder PEI.

Kornit Digital Ltd. präsentierte die Konvergenz von Design, Technologie und nachhaltiger Mode bei der Kornit Fashion Week 2022, die vom 3.-6. April in Tel Aviv stattfand. Bei dieser Veranstaltung wurden innovative Kollektionen in Verbindung mit branchenweit neuartigen Produkten und Technologien präsentiert.

Highlights:

• Hunderte von Designern, Markenartiklern, Modeschöpfern, E-Commerce-Plattformen, Herstellern und virtuellen Modepionieren besuchten die Veranstaltungen in der Zentrale, in den FuE- und Produktionszentren von Kornit und an renommierten Veranstaltungsorten in Tel Aviv.        
• Kornit präsentierte Technologien und Lösungen, darunter die Kornit Apollo-Plattform für den volldigitalen Textildirektdruck (DTG), die als innovativer Quantensprung für die Mainstream-Massenproduktion von Mode und Bekleidung auf dem milliardenschweren Textilmarkt angesehen wird, der bis heute durch veraltete, analoge und umweltverschmutzende Produktionsverfahren eingeschränkt ist.
• Derzeit ist ein Trend zur Verlagerung der Massenproduktion von Textilien aus dem fernen in das nahe gelegene Ausland zu beobachten – mit Möglichkeiten zur schlanken Produktion von Kleinserien ohne Bestandsrisiken sowie grenzenloser Kreativität und Flexibilität für Designer und Modeschöpfer – möglich dank der neuen Lösung von Kornit für die Massenfertigung.
• Außerdem präsentierte Kornit seine Kornit Atlas MAX Poly erstmals öffentlich, eine Lösung für die digitale Veredelung von Textilien in hohen Stückzahlen aus Polyester- und Polyestermischgewebe.

High-performance yarns now offer almost unlimited possibilities for replacing traditional raw materials in a vast range of technical applications. Often tailor-made, these filament yarns go way beyond the conventional idea of ‘textiles’ – finding new uses in sectors such as automotive, aviation, maritime, medical and construction, among many others.

Technical textiles are everywhere in our daily lives today, even if we may not always realize it. Some are in more obviously textile products, from sewing threads to artificial turf. But then, take cars as an example: modern vehicles are stuffed with parts made from sophisticated yarns. It’s common for producers of automotive parts now to send template material and requirement lists to Swiss Textile Machinery members, trusting their expertise and experience. Members operate development and testing centers with latest machine installations, where their experts devise customized solutions, as well as calling on the pure innovative spirit which is part of their DNA.

At the extremes
Technology drives applications beyond our current imagining in the case of Heberlein air splicers. Developed for a wide range of uses with high-strength technical fibers, they have no problems splicing aramid fibers up to 16’100 dtex, carbon up to 30’000 dtex, Dyneema up to 5’500 dtex, and glass up to 4’800 tex. Using compressed air, the splicers produce a tear-resistant, homogeneous splice of material without interfering knots.

Retech has the technology to achieve specifications for filament yarns, drawing and stretching fibers to perfection. Top heated godet rolls – many customized – are developed for high-performance fibers. Temperatures up to 400 °C can be achieved. Combining the right settings and wide speed ranges for each specific process results in unique end-products.

Fabric producers of high-end applications must avoid any quality risk. Yarn producers are well aware of this responsibility, so they use precision package winders for technical yarns, developed by Rieter’s subsidiary SSM. Taking yarns from ring twisting bobbins, its specialist finish winders can produce coarse-count technical yarns up to 50’000 dtex, offering a new level of flexibility and winding quality.

Lifestyle essentials
At first glance, motorists might fail to notice many of the technical yarns ‘hidden’ inside their cars. These products have functions such as providing stability with hardly any weight, or absorbing tensile forces at defined elongation. This kind of controlled elongation behaviour, for example, arises from the choice of textile material and the special construction of the yarns used.

Such specifications make twisting and cabling machines essential for the automotive industry. Saurer offers machines for the production of technical yarns made from a variety of feed materials in a very wide yarn count range. They are needed for vehicle products such as tire carcasses, toothed engine belts, seat belts, airbags and lorry tarpaulins.

Technical yarns also play a surprising role in our mobile devices. Tapping, scrolling and swiping are second nature for billions, with our phones and a plethora of other lifestyle essentials. Yet, how many people would know that the touch-sensitivity we take for granted on these screens is largely made possible by twisted glass fibers. Bräcker, part of Rieter’s components business, offers a selection of vertical sinter metal rings and nylon travelers for glass fiber twisting, so that mills can achieve high levels of productivity and quality.

Future unlimited
Automotive and communication technology are already important industries for Swiss Textile Machinery members, along with well-known technical textiles markets in sectors such as medical, transport and construction. Smart-wear is already noted as a field with significant potential. Naturally, members are constantly investigating other possibilities. Swiss textile machinery is already applied in energy (batteries), and plastics.

The Swiss Textile Machinery Pavilion will be at the Techtextil exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, taking place from 21 to 24 June 2022.

• Hundreds of designers, brands, creators, e-com platforms, manufacturers, and virtual fashion pioneers expected to attend VIP events at Kornit’s headquarters, R&D and production centers, and in major venues of Tel Aviv     
• Kornit will unveil future technologies and solutions, including the revolutionary Kornit Apollo fully-digital mass production direct-to-garment (DTG) platform – considered a future game-changer for the mainstream mass production of fashion and apparel, a multi-billion-dollar market opportunity – constrained today by antiquated, analog, and polluting methods of production
• Mass production of textile, traditionally off-shored, is going through an accelerated shift to near-shore production, significantly shorter production runs, lean-to-no inventory risk, and unlimited creativity and flexibility for designers and creators – all possible with Kornit’s new solution for mass production
• Kornit will also unveil its Kornit Atlas MAX Poly – predicted to transform the multi-billion-dollar professional and recreational sports apparel and teamwear markets, suffering today from major limitations with mass customization of polyester

Kornit Digital Ltd. (NASDAQ: KRNT) (“Kornit”), a worldwide market leader in sustainable, on-demand digital fashionx and textile production, announced today the Company will present the convergence of design, technology, and sustainable fashion at Kornit Fashion Week Tel Aviv 2022, April 3rd – 6th. Rewriting the rules for fashion and textiles, the transformative event will unveil vibrant runway collections together with game-changing industry-first product and technology introductions that bring digital production to the mainstream.

The four-day event is attended by some of the top designers, retailers, brands, fulfillers, and ecommerce players, in addition to global investors and press – and will include exclusive VIP experiences demonstrating the confluence of the design, technology, and fashion worlds. Together, these three elements are central to Kornit’s 4.0 strategy, bringing sustainable, on-demand fashion to the mainstream with end-to-end workflow solutions.

Kornit Fashion Week Tel Aviv 2022

Kornit Fashion Week features an immersive runway showcase produced by worldwide fashion icon, producer, director, and entrepreneur Motty Reif. The week follows successful Kornit events in 2021 across Los Angeles, New York, Milan, and Tel Aviv – displaying the creative freedom associated with sustainable, on-demand fashion fulfillment. Attendees will experience runway events showcasing designer creativity across a broad array of collections. These fascinating collections were created in just a few weeks, unlike typical fashion and textile production processes that take over six months.

Industry-First Introductions

Looking behind the scenes at Kornit Fashion Week, attendees will witness Kornit’s disruptive mass production technology in action. Unveiled for the first time, the Kornit Apollo direct-to-garment (DTG) system addresses accelerated post-pandemic market trends for streamlined supply chains and production nearshoring. Demonstrated at an exclusive VIP event, Kornit Apollo features the Company’s proven MAX technology offering the highest retail quality combined with full automation control and integrated smart curing processes, utilizing functionality from Lichtenau, Germany-based Tesoma (Kornit’s recently announced acquisition). The solution is the most comprehensive digital, single-step end-to-end system for nearshore short-and-medium-runs mass production and offers optimal TCO and highest output per operator. The result far surpasses performance of screen printing and analog techniques. With early customer engagements in the second half of 2022, the system will be available mid-2023.

Physical and Virtual Worlds

Kornit enables customers to exchange supply chain headaches and materials waste for unsurpassed creativity and a frictionless pixel-to-parcel-to-doorstep production experience. Supported by the KornitX workflow solution, customers have access to a scalable and modular ecosystem for on-demand decorated apparel and textiles. Supporting diverse supply chain models, the infrastructure-agnostic system enables on-demand, automated production, end-to-end from initial order to package delivery.

• Cifra selects ROICA™ for a new generation of sportswear in the name of wellness and sustainability
• Performance Days, Hall C1 – stand N08

Cifra, a leading Italian company in Warp Knit Seamless, has chosen ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei, an international reference for premium and smart stretch, for a new generation of clothing dedicated to wellbeing, travelwear and athleisure, made with Cifra exclusive and patented technology in the name of uniqueness and sustainability.

Innovative garments for men and women that combine fashion and function, guaranteeing optimal comfort at any time of the day. Base layers, tops, leggings, jumpsuits made with natural yarns, or recycled pre and post-consumer yarns in combination with ROICA™ EF, the first recycled stretch yarn certified Global Recycled Standard (GRS) able to complete proposals that offer design, performance and responsibility.

The design of the garments, created in Cifra's design office, combines a perfect shape with body mapping technology that creates dedicated ventilation zones for a feeling of comfort and freshness as well as an innovative aesthetic impact.

And when it comes to comfort, ROICA™ activates a new generation conversation linked to the demands of the contemporary consumer looking for well-being in line with the concepts of safety and healthiness emerging in all aspects of daily life. In fact, ROICA™ by Asahi Kasei is the secret stretch ingredient of the modern wardrobe, able to "activate" garments by giving comfort, beauty, quality together with responsible and certified values.

All of this translates into the synergy of development with Cifra. The products, the materials that compose them, along with the way of production and who produces them, transparency and traceability are all aspects that become an integral part of the common proposal that Cifra and ROICA™ are able to offer by joining forces.

"We firmly believe in the new generation of companies oriented towards the creation and supply of valuable products, fully respecting people and the environment, while meeting the performance required by contemporary lifestyles," says Shinichiro Haga, Senior Executive Manager of the ROICA™ Division.

Cobra International, leading manufacturer of advanced composite products for the water sports, automotive, marine, UAV, and industrial sectors, reinforces its long collaboration with the JEC Group by designing and manufacturing this year’s JEC Composites Innovation trophies. Cobra has designed and manufactured 35 composite material trophies for the JEC Composites Innovation and Start Up Booster competitions which will be presented during the 2022 awards ceremonies and throughout other JEC Group events in 2022.

The 2022 trophies are designed and produced by Cobra’s Design and Development department - the in house team that supports Cobra’s mass production operations with specialist expertise in product design, industrial design & prototyping. The sweeping curves of the trophies are influenced by perfume bottles, linking back to JEC’s French cultural heritage.  The design also combines a pallet of different materials to symbolise the JEC Group’s complete coverage of the composites sector. Acrylic, upcycled teak production waste from the furniture industry, Innegra™, flax, carbon, and aramid materials have been combined with Sicomin’s GreenPoxy 33 bio-resin to reference the award programme’s combined focus on innovation and sustainability.

The JEC Composites Innovation Awards are presented annually, recognising, and rewarding the most cutting-edge and ingenious projects that exploit the full potential of composite materials. Over the last 20 years, the JEC Composites Innovation and Startup programs have celebrated both innovation and partnership. The JEC Group will announce the winners for the 2022 JEC Composites Innovation awards on April 26th in Paris and in live streaming, and the Start-up Booster winners on May 3rd at JEC World.

“Cobra is delighted to reinforce its partnership with JEC Group, sponsoring and manufacturing the JEC trophies for 2022,” comments Danu Chotikapanich, CEO, Cobra.  “These are two of the most prestigious and respected awards programs within the composites industry and one that also matches Cobra’s ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability improvements. Working with the latest bio resin technology, natural fibre reinforcements and upcycled composite and wood production waste materials our Design and Development team have created some stunning trophies for this year’s award season.”

Monforts will highlight its advanced finishing and coating technologies for the production of technical textiles at Techtextil North America, which takes place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta from May 17-19.

The company and its US representative PSP Marketing, of Charlotte, North Carolina, will be part of the centrepiece VDMA German Pavilion at the show.

Energy prices
With energy prices continuing to go through the roof, an emphasis at Techtextil North America will be on the energy and heat recovery that can be achieved with Montex stenters, through features such as the MonforClean system, in which waste heat from the drying process is used to pre-heat the drying air. This results in a radical reduction in the conventional heat supply required. A range of further resource-saving and energy recovery options can be specified per individual line installation.

Advanced machine operation
With the highly intuitive Qualitex 800 visualization software, all article-specific settings can be stored and the formulations for thousands of treatment processes called up again at any time. Individual operators can also personalise their dashboards with the most important machine functions and process parameters.

The Qualitex 800 system is available for the automatic and continuous operation of the company’s Montex stenters, as well as its Thermex continuous dyeing ranges, Monfortex shrinking systems and Montex®Coat coating units.

Versatility is the key
Monforts Montex®Coat coating units serve an equally diverse number of markets, including tents, tarpaulins and awnings, black-out roller blinds and sail cloth, automotive interior fabrics and medical disposables. Full PVC coatings, pigment dyeing or minimal application surface and low penetration treatments and solvent coatings (in explosion-proof conditions) with knife coating, roller coating or screen printing can all be accommodated with this system.

• Erfolgreicher Start der Texhibition, Istanbul Fabric and Textil Accessories Fair mit über 10.000 Besuchern aus 63 Ländern
• 166 Austeller haben auf ca. 5.000 qm im Istanbul Expo Center Stoffe, Garne und Acessoires präsentiert
• Zahlreiche Ordertätigkeit von über 1 Mrd. US$
• Zielsetzung des Veranstalters: die Fläche und Ausstellerzahl der zweiten Veranstaltung im September zu verdoppeln

Mit über 10.000 Besuchern ist die Premierenveranstaltung der Texhibition Istanbul Fabric and Textile Accessories Fair, organisiert von der Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters' Association (ITHIB) und dem Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) vom 16. bis 18. März 2022 erfolgreich gestartet.

İTHİB Präsident Ahmet Öksüz: „Unsere Messeplattformen Texhibition Istanbul Fabric and Textil Accessories Fair und IFCO, Istanbul Fashion Connection, die von unserem Schwesterverband IHKIB im Februar gelauncht wurde, spielen eine wichtige Rolle dabei, Istanbul zum Fashion-Zentrum der türkischen Textil und Bekleidungsindustrie zu machen. Zur Folgeveranstaltung der Texhibition im September diesen Jahres erwarten wir eine Verdopplung der Ausstellerzahl und Fläche.”

Die türkische Textilindustrie verfolgt 2022 ein Exportziel von 15 Milliarden US$. Die Messeveranstalter gehen davon aus, dass ihre Plattformen 1 Milliarde US$ dazu beitragen werden. Die Türkei ist für die europäische Textilindustrie einer der wichtigsten Beschaffungsmärkte und gewinnt im Zuge der weltweiten Lieferkettenproblematik noch mehr an Bedeutung und gehört nun zu den Top 3 der interessantesten Beschaffungsstandorte miit ihren günstigen Preisen, qualitativ guten Produkten, zuverlässigen Lieferanten und kurzen Lieferzeiten.

Im Texhibition Forum wurde mit Experten zu den Themen Nachhaltigkeit, Neue Trends, Supply Chain und GMO-Free Cotton, die einen Ausblick auf die kommenden Trends und Entwicklungen der türkischen Textilindustrie gaben, diskutiert. Sämtliche Veranstaltungen wurden von den Besuchern stark frequentiert.

Nächster Termin:
Texhibition September 21-23, 2022

Premium Group presents its D2C festival The Ground, which premieres from 7 - 9 July at Messe Berlin. The Ground is a new event format where fashion, lifestyle, culture, and diverse perspectives are merged. It was founded to bring brands and consumers together to build a better future through celebration and collective action.

Over three days, guests from across Europe will meet up to experience innovative brand pop-ups with stories and collections, panel talks, live music, physical and mental health activations, and even step inside the Metaverse.

Power of purpose
The Ground mainly targets Gen Z which is driven by a deep sense of purpose. The 18-29 year olds expect the brands they support to share the same values. Their priorities are sustainability, relationships, health and wellness, work and education as well as inclusivity and individuality.

The Ground features six distinct areas where visitors can take part in different experiences: Sport, Beauty, Music, Play, Soul and Talk provide inspiration and many moments to learn. Fashion is featured throughout all areas and is the connecting element of The Ground.

Special season topic: MAKE PEACE!
Building off the Good Life Goals (personal actions that everyone can take to help support the SDGs by the UN), The Ground focuses on one goal for each edition that touches people and brands at this moment in time. A goal that makes a positive contribution to the future, and is thus worth celebrating.

Due to the current conflicts in the world, this July’s goal is more clear than ever: PEACE! It will be reflected in a big charity auction of specially designed pieces of the exhibiting brands and partners.

1 ticket - 4 events
Taking place simultaneously as the trade show and conference formats SEEK, PREMIUM and FashionTech which will attract over 20,000 buyers, retailers, brands, professionals, influencers, and media to Berlin – The Ground will help to create lots of fashion buzz in the capital. The all-in-one ticket for trade visitors also guarantees access to The Ground.

JEC World announces the dates of the show in 2023, taking place from April 25 to 27, and in 2024, from March 5 to 7, in Paris Nord Villepinte in the same halls.
Taking place every year for more than half a century, JEC World gathers the whole value chain of composite materials in Paris. The event brings together not only all major stakeholders of the composites industry but is also the place to be for innovative startups in the field of advanced materials, and for experts, academics, scientists and R&D leaders. For professionals from the various application sectors of composite materials, it is a unique showcase of what composites can offer, and an unlimited source of inspiration. So, with this two-years schedule, professionals can plan their participation while ahead to make the most out the show.