From the Sector

The testing service provider and research partner Hohenstein is joining the Innovation Park for Artificial Intelligence (IPAI) in Heilbronn. There are already points of contact with AI applications in some interdisciplinary research projects. In addition, there is the cooperation with the Munich-based start-up Sizekick and its AI-based technology for size recommendations, which aims to reduce size-related returns in online fashion retail.

"We expect the connection to the IPAI AI network to provide us with valuable impulses to remain fit for the future," explains Hohenstein CEO Dr. Timo Hammer, "This unique platform brings together a wide variety of players with their experience and knowledge. New ideas, projects and even products can be generated with great dynamism in the network as an intelligent response to future requirements. Because one thing is clear - artificial intelligence is THE key technology of the future".

The Innovation Park for Artificial Intelligence (IPAI) in Heilbronn (www.ip.ai) sees itself as an innovation platform for applied AI and a German lighthouse project with international appeal. The center is intended to map the entire AI value chain, from the qualification of specialists to the application of ethically responsible AI. The aim is to use the AI ecosystem to bring together companies, start-ups, research institutions, scientists, and public institutions and to secure Germany's digital independence and competitiveness in a key future technology.

On June 9, Hohenstein celebrates World Accreditation Day (WAD2023) along with 30 years as an accredited testing laboratory. In 1993, Hohenstein’s first lab received official certification to test textile products competently, reliably and impartially according to internationally recognized standards. With the expansion of its testing business, the company, headquartered in Boennigheim, Germany, has since gained numerous other accreditations for its global laboratories.

"The accreditations give our customers confidence that we comply with the required quality control procedures," says Julia Seeberg, who as Head of Quality Management also oversees the regular monitoring of the laboratories by DAkkS, the Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle. “Everything possible is done to ensure the integrity of the test results.” In addition to DAkks accreditations of the testing laboratories for textile technological, biological, chemical and physical tests, Hohenstein is accredited as a certification and inspection body. Hohenstein's 75 years of expertise in the testing business complement its accreditation and provide an important basis for its long-standing customer trust.

Hohenstein laboratories in China, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and India have accreditations from the respective national and international accreditation bodies. The labs celebrate World Accreditation Day by highlighting the importance of accredited laboratories for the product quality and sustainability. "The demands of suppliers and consumers have increased," Julia Seeberg also notes. “For manufacturers to remain credible, it is even more imperative to demonstrate compliance with defined and standardized quality criteria.”

The globally valid quality standard for testing and calibration laboratories is DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. The standard specifies general requirements for the competence, impartiality and uniform working methods of laboratories that operate internationally. Accreditations in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020 and 17065 exist for the inspection and certification bodies. In addition, Hohenstein is an accredited testing laboratory for medical devices, where biological, chemical and physical laboratory tests are carried out. These tests form the basis for conformity with the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR).

• Standard assesses fibre release, biodegradation and ecotoxicity for the first time

Testing service provider Hohenstein has worked with the project partners Trigema, Freudenberg, DBL ITEX and Paradies to create a new standardized test method for detecting and classifying the environmental effects of textiles during washing. DIN SPEC 4872 combines analysis of fibre release, biodegradability and ecotoxicity. The test method according to DIN SPEC 4872 shows how many fibres are released during textile laundering, how well these fibres degrade in wastewater and how harmful the fibre residues are to the environment.

Studies have shown that washing textiles releases microfibres into the wash water, which cannot be sufficiently retained by wastewater treatment plants. Synthetic fibres pose the greatest risk to the environment because of their longevity and inability to biodegrade. However, Hohenstein project manager Juliane Alberts does not give the all-clear for biodegradable fibres and natural fibres: "Biodegradability alone does not mean that pure natural fibres, for example, are completely harmless to the environment. They, too, remain in ecosystems until they completely degrade and can also have a negative impact. In addition, additives, auxiliaries or finishes used in textile production can further slow the degradation process and leach into the environment."

The new standard enables textile producers and suppliers to test, evaluate and compare products for fibre release during washing and environmental impact. Juliane Alberts sees this systematic evaluation as an opportunity for the textile industry to take the initiative on environmental impact: "Our reliable data can be used as a basis for more targeted product development. This is a way to actively and consciously control further environmental pollution."

To ensure that pets are also well equipped in terms of product safety, quality and durability of their cuddly blankets, cushions or favorite toys, the textile testing service provider Hohenstein has established its quality label for tested pet supplies. After all, the number of pets in private households is growing every year, and for many of us, our animal roommates count as full members of the family and are cared for accordingly.

The label is explicitly designed for textile products such as blankets or pillows for sleeping areas, dog clothing, mats or even horse blankets. It provides consumers with clear product information on product safety, quality and durability, and also offers home/pets and their owners security against unwanted residues of chemical substances. Beyond its standard physical tests, the quality label can be flexibly extended: depending on the intended use, product properties such as chew resistance, scratch resistance, outdoor suitability, water repellence, waterproofness or air permeability play a major role in ensuring that pets feel completely comfortable.

The Hohenstein quality label Tested Pet Supply is an independent proof of quality and joins the ranks of the existing Hohenstein quality labels.

Expertise für die perfekte Passform von Bekleidung

Um im Wettbewerb zu bestehen, sind Hersteller von Damen-, Herren- und Kinderbekleidung gefordert, ihre Prozesse effizient und nachhaltig zu gestalten. Ab sofort bietet das neue Hohenstein „Digital Fitting Lab“ umfassende Hilfestellung bei der Umsetzung. Mit dem Einsatz moderner 3D- und 4D-Technologien auf Basis der traditionellen Passform- und Schnitt-Expertise von Hohenstein lässt sich die perfekte Passform über verschiedene Größenreihen hinweg einfach und schnell ermitteln – bei Bedarf noch zugeschnitten auf individuelle Zielgruppen.

Das „Digital Fitting Lab“ bietet Bekleidungsherstellern über die perfekte Passform ihrer Produkte hinaus weiteren Mehrwert: Hohenstein unterstützt gezielt, wenn die Firmen digitale Prozessschritte wie 3D-Design und Visualisierung, Entwicklung von Schnitten und Prototypen, Passformprüfung oder die Erstellung von Produktionsunterlagen optimieren möchten. So können diese mit ihren Produkten schneller an den Point-of-Sale gelangen und ihre Kundenzufriedenheit steigern.

Eine neue Website zum digitalen Fitting stellt die modular buchbaren Services für eine optimale Passform über unterschiedliche Größenreihen hinweg vor. https://digital-fitting-lab.hohenstein.de

Hohenstein setzt seinen neuen 4D-Bodyscanner für eine Reihe von Forschungsprojekten ein. Ziel der einzelnen Vorhaben ist es, das Wissen und die Prozesse in der gesamten Bekleidungsindustrie zu verbessern.

Ein vonder Arbeitsgemeinschaft industriellerForschungsvereinigungen (AiF) gefördertesProjekt mit dem Titel „Mobilitätsrestriktionen“ (IGF-Nr. 20163N) beschäftigt sich mit der Veränderung von Körpermaßenwährend der Bewegung und läuft noch bis Oktober 2020. Im Fokus der Hohenstein Wissenschaftler steht die EntwicklungeinerMethodezur Analyse, wie Kleidungsstückedie Bewegung einschränken.

Der Scanvorgang in 4Dvisualisiert dieKörperformund -größefür potenzielleKunden und verdeutlicht auf diese Weise die Veränderungen der Körperform während spezifischer Bewegungen. Dabei lassen sich sowohl die Auswirkungen der Bewegung auf einKleidungsstück als auch die Auswirkungen des Kleidungsstücks auf die Bewegungnachvollziehen. Dadurch ist es insbesondere bei Sport-und Berufsbekleidung möglich,denBewegungsumfangim Hinblick auf eine verbesserte Funktion zu analysieren.

Mit der neuen e-Academy will Hohenstein den Weg in moderne Lernwelten weien. Digital, zeit- und ortsunabhängig bietet die Academy mit Beginn des Monats März allen Interessierten einen Zugang zu textilem Expertenwissen aus allen Fachbereichen. Künftig werden Webinare, Webcasts, Tutorials und weitere digitale Formate in folgenden Themenfeldern angeboten:

- Textiles Grundwissen
- Komfort & Performance
- Bekleidungstechnik
- Sicherheit & Nachhaltigkeit
- Waschen & Reinigen
- Medizin & Healthcare

Fortlaufend erweitert die Academy ihr digitales Angebot, das den Nutzern zahlreiche Vorteile bietet. So müssen sie nicht mehr zwingend nach Hohenstein reisen, um aus erster Hand Neues zu erfahren und zu lernen. Deswegen hat sich die Academy dem Konzept des Blended Learning verschrieben, der sinnvollen Kombination von digitalen Inhalten mit Präsenzveranstaltungen. So wird die Academy beispielsweise den traditionell gut besuchten Grundkurs „Wäschereitechnik“ modular zur Verfügung stellen und Inhalte sowohl digital als auch im Rahmen von Präsenzveranstaltungen anbieten.