The market is the focal point

As a European leader of textile research, we at STFI drive forward innovations that conserve resources, optimise processes and protect people. We support you in overcoming technical and societal challenges with open, interdisciplinary and reliable solutions. Drawing on scientific expertise, we develop sustainable, eco-friendly solutions for practical application and ensure that your textile products and processes are safe. In this way, our experience becomes the foundation for your future commercial success.

Which markets does our research at STFI focus on?

Textile cycles and recycling

We create sustainable solutions for the entire textile value chain, from the selection of raw materials through production and use to the collection and recycling of materials. Our aim is to conserve resources and establish circular alternatives to the linear economy.

Climate Protection and Environment

As climatic conditions are changing dynamically, technical approaches must also be continuously developed. Our stated aim is to use textile technologies in such a way that they reduce environmental impact, protect natural resources and create liveable spaces for future generations, because this is the future for us all.

Health and Lifestyle

We design innovative applications for a healthy, active and self-determined life. The focus of the Health and Lifestyle research field is on people, supported by the intelligent combination of state-of-the-art materials, functional textiles and innovative technologies.

Industrial textiles and filtration

The focus is on the functional and safety-related properties of the materials. Industrial textiles make a decisive contribution to safety, efficiency and sustainability, both in sectors such as construction, transport, mechanical and plant engineering, as well as in environmental technology and recycling.

Personal and Property Protection

For personal and property protection, we develop solutions that form the final line of defence in critical situations, thereby making a significant contribution to the safety of people and infrastructure. As a research and testing service provider, STFI supports companies in evaluating new protective technologies through testing and reliably bringing them to market maturity.

Textile Cycles | Recycling

Climate Protecion | Environment

Health | Lifestyle

Industrial Textiles | Filtration

Personal | Property Protection

Head of Research

“For small and medium-sized enterprises, speed is key to competitiveness. However, when development resources are scarce and budgets are under pressure, innovation can quickly become a risk. This is precisely where we come in. We support you with bespoke contract research and help you access suitable funding programmes such as ZIM, INNO-KOM and IGF, so that good ideas can be turned into viable innovations with significantly reduced financial risk. At STFI, you benefit from direct access to long-standing methodological expertise, industry-oriented pilot plants and validated testing and analysis procedures. Together, we shorten your journey from the initial idea to a market-ready solution – particularly for complex material- and process-driven development tasks.“

Dr. Yvette Dietzel
Head of Research

Phone: +49 371 5274-223
Email: yvette.dietzel@stfi.de

How can we help you?

Publicly funded research

Take advantage of national funding programmes such as ZIM, INNO-KOM and IGF or EU funding programmes to turn your ideas into viable innovations, whilst significantly reducing the financial risk.

Contract research

Do you want your innovation to be developed exclusively for your company? Then let’s discuss your ideas and requirements so that we can find the best solution for you. The specific results will be made available exclusively to you.

Network Management

New products and processes need strong partners to reach the market. We coordinate research collaborations as well as production and sales partnerships.

Prototyping and small-batch production

At STFI, initial ideas are turned into functional prototypes and small batches, for example through 3D printing, using industrial equipment or in the Prototyping Lab. This allows you to test new products and manufacturing processes under realistic conditions and establish a solid foundation for subsequent production or deployment.

Engineering

Take advantage of STFI’s interdisciplinary expertise to bring innovative textile solutions to market more quickly: from 3D printing on textiles and materials analysis to testing plastics and composites. Working closely with you, we develop bespoke technologies and processes that are perfectly tailored to your application and production environment.