The European Capital of Culture 2025, Chemnitz, opened its doors to textile designers, textile artists and experts from the fields of fashion, art and textiles: the Tour de LOOP on 26 and 27 May 2025 took participants on an exclusive professional tour of one of Europe's most traditional and innovative textile regions. 19 visitors from Europe explored Chemnitz and its textile region. They came from the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Great Britain and Germany.

Under the motto ‘Shaping the future now’, the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) is presenting two pioneering textile developments at this year's Innovation Day for SMEs organised by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). The event will take place as an open-air trade fair on the outdoor grounds of AiF Projekt GmbH in Berlin-Pankow and offers small and medium-sized companies a platform to present their innovative projects and results, which have been supported by the BMWE's open-topic innovation funding programme.

The research objective of the project was to develop an insole that grows with the child to recognise changes in the fit of the child's shoe.

The aim of the research project was the development of a multi-axial mat structure made of highly sensitive filaments, along with the manufacturing technology required for its production.

On April 3, 2025, the STFI hosted its third Akademie Breakfast. In addition to donuts, bagels and coffee, the topic of employee motivation was on the table, bringing together companies from Saxony's textile industry as well as representatives from Chemnitz University of Technology, the Federal Employment Agency and the Chemnitz Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

As part of the research project, a technology for the production of high-performance mesh structures with diagonal weft threads was developed. The focus was on the development of the necessary machine technology and the production of new mesh structures.

On 11 and 12 March, the 17th Symposium TEXTILE FILTER took place in Chemnitz, Germany. Every two years, experts from science and industry come together to discuss the latest developments in the field of textile filter media. This year's event focused on sustainability, bio-based materials and digital simulations to optimise filtration processes. The symposium was accompanied by an exhibition and an excursion to the host, the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V.

In the new edition, we focus on the important issue of skilled workers. We highlight the opportunities in the industry and show how our STFI Akademie provides targeted support for qualification and development.

The Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) uses a highly sophisticated diagonal laying technique for the production of multi-axial mats made from glass or carbon fibres. This allows the fibres to be processed in the correct mesh without puncturing or damaging them. The aim of the project was the optimisation and further development of the diagonal laying technique in order to be able to process even sensitive thread materials gently and without damaging them.

JEC World will take place from 4 to 6 March 2025 under the motto ‘Pushing the Limits’. With its groundbreaking solutions, unique manufacturing and business opportunities, the leading trade fair for lightweight construction is a networking centre for creativity, vision and action. It shows how composite materials are pushing the boundaries of projects and ambitions.

The aim of the ReCarboSize project was the development of a concept for the resizing of recycled carbon fibres (rCF) and the adaptation of the sizings themselves for the selected thermoset (epoxy resin, polyurethane) and thermoplastic (polyamide, polyphenylene sulphide) resin systems.

The focus of this research project was set on the targeted and digital dyeing of textile surfaces through exposure to UV laser radiation. For this purpose, a pre-treated textile was provided with a light-sensitive layer, which was previously applied manually and exposed on a small scale.

The aim of the research project was the development of machines and processes for 3D printing on pre-stretched textiles with subsequent moulding effects.

The aim of the project was the development of an adaptive tracking and tracing assistance system based on technologies from the fields of Industrial Internet-of-Things, mobile computing, wireless communication and graphical low-code programming.

Textile finishing producers should be enabled to use mobile systems and matrix production strategies through a versatile shopfloor framework. Matrix production combines the advantages of make-to-order production (flexibility) and classic flow production (productivity) through adaptive and agile process chains. The project also integrates employees into this production strategy and creates the manufacturer-independent basis for cooperative matrix production.

In the latest edition of the STFI Newsletter, we focus on the textile circular economy. We provide information on new applications and products made from recycled materials as well as innovations in our Center for Textile Sustainability.

The circular textile economy is on everyone's lips. However, it is only through collaboration and networking that we will make significant progress towards this goal, which is why we invite you to join us for a professional exchange with partners from industry, universities and research institutions.

The aim of the research project was the development of an innovative composite nonwoven based on kunit and meltblown technologies. The focus was set on increasing the efficiency and flexibility of nonwoven production in order to achieve higher performance and adaptability.

On 1st and 2nd October 2024, the MC4 consortium met for the biannual project meeting at the French partner CHOMARAT in Le Cheylard (France).

Within the scope of the project, efforts were focused on developing and integrating electrically conductive materials into elastic textiles. The aim was the creation of intelligent, stretchable surfaces, specifically intended for use in music therapy for individuals with profound multiple disabilities.