From the Sector

Temafa Maschinenfabrik GmbH, a leading supplier of machinery and plants for fibre processing, has successfully secured an order to supply a complete plant for processing hemp straw to Hanffaser Geiseltal eG, based in Mücheln.

With this project, Hanffaser Geiseltal eG is implementing its first industrial plant for processing hemp straw into hemp fibres. The plant will be delivered, installed and commissioned in the course of the year.

The plant, designed and manufactured by Temafa, is specifically engineered for the efficient processing of hemp straw. The aim is to produce high-quality fibre products, which are primarily used in the building materials industry, for example in sustainable insulation materials and other ecological applications.

With this investment, Hanffaser Geiseltal eG is strengthening its position in the field of sustainable raw materials and sending a clear signal regarding the increasing industrialisation of hemp processing in Germany.

“We are delighted to be supporting Hanffaser Geiseltal eG as it enters the field of industrial hemp fibre processing,” says Dr Jörg Morgner, Managing Director at Temafa Maschinenfabrik GmbH. “This project underscores the growing importance of natural fibres as sustainable raw materials and our expertise in developing bespoke plant solutions.”

On 29 April 2026, ITA student Tobias Dickmeiß was awarded a sponsorship prize by the Wilhelm Lorch-Stiftung for his innovative approach, to replacing conventional elastane with elastic yarns made from thermoplastic copolyester elastomers (TPC). Thanks to their thermoplastic nature and compatibility with typical polyesters used in the textile industry, elastic TPC yarns offer improved recyclability. Furthermore, the use of the melt-spinning process in yarn production eliminates the need for solvents that are harmful to the environment and human health.

Elastic textiles have become an integral part of our everyday lives, as they ensure comfort, a good fit and freedom of movement. At the same time, the increasing use of traditional elastic yarns, known as elastanes, significantly complicates textile recycling. Even small amounts of elastane can impair thermomechanical recycling processes and prevent a closed recycling loop.

As part of his bachelor’s thesis, Tobias Dickmeiß carried out extensive empirical process studies on a pilot-scale melt-spinning line. By systematically analysing the influence of various process parameters on yarn properties, he succeeded in specifically improving the properties of the resulting TPC yarns. The findings of his bachelor’s thesis thus provide a promising basis for the further development of recyclable elastic yarns and textiles.

Tobias Dickmeiß was granted a sponsorship prize of EUR 5,000 for specific further training in recognition of his outstanding bachelor’s thesis, ‘Development of a melt spinning process for elastic yarns made from thermoplastic copolyester elastomers at pilot scale’.

During his bachelor’s thesis, hr was supervised by ITA PhD student Ricarda Wissel.