TextileFuture conducted an interview with STFI Scientific Director Dr Yves Gloy (formerly ITA at RWTH Aachen) after one year in this position. We enlight also the successes of STFI Textile Research in Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany.
Historical development of STFI
On February 17th 1992, the two research institutes Forschungsinstitut für Textiltechnologie (FIFT) Chemnitz and Institut für Technische Textilien (ITT) Dresden jointly continue their long-standing research work and founded Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) which is registered under VR 960 in the association index.
Institut für Technische Textilien (ITT Institute for Techtextiles) GmbH is as wholly-owned subsidiary of STFI.
Centre for Textile Lightweight Construction
futureTEX Management GmbH is as wholly-owned subsidiary of STFI. It carries out administrative and organisational support of project futureTEX.
STFI is a Partner in research, development and consulting
The institute is working as a non-profit research institution in the Free State of Saxony and is continuing the long-standing traditions of the Saxon textile research and textile industry.
Process-related and product-related research work covers classical textile technologies as well as innovative technical solutions for a wide range of applications.
We cooperate with national as well as international companies and research institutions and support the companies of the regional textile industry with our knowhow.
The Interview with Dr Yves Gloy
Since one year you are heading the scientific arm of STFI, what are the highlights of your achievements up to now?
“We had a whole series of highlights in 2018. For example, we opened the Chemnitz showcase as part of the Mittelstand 4.0 competence center for textiles. The competence center supports small and medium-sized companies in the textile, textile machinery and related sectors in the development of their digital fitness. We successfully presented ourselves at important trade fairs such as JEC World, Composites Europe and FILTECH. I was pleased to see that we are organizing very successful events such as the BAUTEX, the “Textile Filter” Symposium, the Hofer Nonwovens Days, the Sustainable Textile School and the Chemnitz Textile Technology Conference. A whole series of exciting new research projects has been launched to answer urgent societal problems, such as microplastic. Furthermore, through numerous investments in our equipment, we were able to ensure that our machines and equipment are state-of-the-art. Last but not least, we successfully trained again: Erik Wilhelm received the best honour of the IHK Chemnitz as an STFI apprentice and Tobias Petzold took the 3rd place at the DKB-VIU Young Researcher Award.”
How do your responsibilities compare to the ones you did have at ITA and how do would you describe your foremost personal activities?
“The STFI is run by Mr. Andreas Berthel and myself together with a circle of excellent group leaders. As a proven businessman, Mr Berthel is of course responsible for the financial part, while I am responsible for the scientific part. Together we shape the strategic positioning and orientation of the institute. In research I support the scientific staff in the acquisition, preparation and execution of projects.
In addition, I ensure that the marketing and public relations of the institute are modern, fresh and factual. I represent the STFI at numerous events and of course the scientific writing and lectures are not too short. Furthermore, I represent our interests in a whole series of committees and advisory boards. The expansion and maintenance of the STFI network also plays an important role, as does the cooperation with the city of Chemnitz or the state of Saxony.
Additionally, I am authorized to give lectures at the TU Chemnitz. Comparing with my work at the ITA Institute für Textiltechnik (Institute for Textile Technology) of RWTH Aachen, I can say that research at the STFI is very application-oriented and practical. The cooperation with the many, partly very experienced employees in Chemnitz, makes me a lot of fun.”
STFI is at the forefront of new scientific developments, would you kindly identify some of these?
“At the STFI, certain areas of focus have been developed over the years. The competence center for nonwovens, for example, develops nonwovens and extrusion nonwovens and deals with textile recycling. At the Center for Textile Lightweight Construction we are dedicated to the processing of glass, carbon, aramid and basalt, the production of composites and preforms and carbon recycling. At the Innovation Center for Technical Textiles we look at technical. Woven and knitted fabrics., reinforcing structures, construction and geotextiles, functionalization and chemical analysis, and test method development for all types of applications.
We are facing the digitization as part of the futureTEX large-scale project and the Mittelstand 4.0 competence centre for textiles. Topics are here e.g. Automation, networking of production processes, additive manufacturing processes, modelling, simulation and software development. For this purpose, we are currently building up a research and experimental field “Textile Factory of the Future”. In addition, we are accredited testing centre and certification body for protective textiles and geosynthetics. Other important competencies are international cooperation and the coordination of project consortia and research networks.”
How close is the collaboration with other institutes, textile machinery manufacturers and customers?
“The cooperation with our partners and customers is essential for the success of the research. We see ourselves as innovation partners and service providers for our partners. Companies are involved in nearly all our projects. Be it because we are specifically addressing a partner’s question or because his competence is required to solve a problem.
The spunbond plant
The cooperation with the textile machinery manufacturers has a special role due to the tradition of textile machinery in Chemnitz, which of course makes me particularly enjoyable as a textile machine engineer. As an affiliated institute of the TU Chemnitz, cooperation with other research institutes and universities, be it in Germany, the EU or worldwide, is just as important to us. We are convinced that many questions of research can only be really well in cooperation. The success for our customers and partner is most important to us.”
What major events are you planning for STFI in 2019?
“This year is an important year with a whole range of highlights. We are represented at the Techtextil in Frankfurt and Raleigh, USA, at the Hannover Messe, the JEC World, the A + A and the FILTECH. Our colloquium “re4tex recycling for textiles” takes place at the end of the year, as well as the Hofer nonwovens days. In addition, we are pleased to officially introduce our new interval hot press in the Centre for Textile Lightweight Design as part of the CCeV theme day “Press Technologies for the fibre composite mass production”. These stages for sharing with our partners and customers are immensely important.”
Which new fields are you entering for STFI in 2019?
“In 2019, we will tackle a whole range of topics in a targeted manner. To name just a few examples, we are intensifying our activities in functional integration in textiles, whether in the field of functional clothing or home textiles. The whole topic of sustainability and recycling will be further expanded. As part of futureTEX, we expect a whole range of product and process innovations. As an example, we will integrate a driverless transport system in our research and experimental field and devote ourselves even more to the topic of transfer – from research to application. Our academy, in which we offer e.g. on nonwovens, personal protective equipment, CARBONrecycling or FunktionsDRUCK will also be developed.”
2019 is also the year of the European edition of ITMA, what are your expectations?
“In terms of digitization, I expect a lot and I’m curious what the mechanical engineers deliver. Be it smarter machines, modern man-machine interfaces to enable unskilled employees to use the machines, as well as possibilities for networked production. The machines will be even more able to produce a lot size 1 on economic terms. The trend towards integrative and hybrid methods, such as a yarn dyeing in the embroidery process, is certainly evolving. In addition, the machine-builders have to deliver machines that are even more economical with resources such as water or power.”
Will STFI have its own booth at the show in Barcelona?
“You will find us if you look carefully. We are on the stands of our partners with a whole series of our innovations. In addition, our experts are on site. Traditionally we are not represented with a stand with the focus on textile technology and less the textile machinery industry at the ITMA.”
What does STFI to support young engineers to take-up a scientific job?
“The promotion of young people is very important to us. Thus, we supervise ongoing theses and doctorates of various universities in our house. In addition, we support young talent on a variety of different levels, be it in the “Jugend forscht” competition, in campaigns to increase the attractiveness of textile professions (“Go Textile!”), with public tours through our technical facilities and laboratories, through student internships, lectures at various universities, etc.”
What will be the major changes envisioned in your personal forecast for Technical Textiles in the near future?
“Sustainability will be a major driver of technical textiles in the future. As with clothing, technical textiles require solutions that enable circulation and minimize the impact on the environment. All of this must be thought of as a whole, from the design, the materials, the manufacturing process, the use, and the later collection, sorting, and reprocessing. In addition, we need sustainable business solutions and business models.
Digitization will not stop at the area of technical textiles, be it in design, production or use. In terms of smart textiles, technical textiles will increasingly be able to integrate sensory and actuatoric functions (4D or adaptive). Especially the possibility to collect and process data has high potential to generate a service for the customers around the technical textile, which provides a big added value.
For all these developments, we see ourselves as a profitable partner for our customers. It remains exciting.”
Newsletter of last week:
Application of Nanotechnology in Textile Finishing https://textile-future.com/?p=20042
Here is the Review of last week’s NEWS. For your convenience just click on the feature for fast access.
Awards
Mara Hoffman Receives REPREVE® Champions of Sustainability Award at NYFW: The Shows https://textile-future.com/?p=20172
Hexcel’s New Carbon Prepreg Patch Technology selected as Finalist in JEC Innovation Awards 2019 https://textile-future.com/?p=20241
Bankrupcy
U.S. bankruptcy judge approves sale of Sears to Chairman Lampert https://textile-future.com/?p=20027
Canada
Canada Goose deepens roots in Montréal with opening of New Manufacturing Facility https://textile-future.com/?p=20320
Colour
CSI Releases Autumn/Winter 2020 Colour Analysis https://textile-future.com/?p=20110
Companies
hubergroup strengthens sales and support for web offset printing operations https://textile-future.com/?p=20119
Airopack Technology Group AG is in a difficult financial situation https://textile-future.com/?p=20140
Under Armour Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results; Reiterates 2019 Outlook https://textile-future.com/?p=20187
Clariant increased sales, profitability and operating cash flow in 2018 https://textile-future.com/?p=20210
Airopack Technology Group involved in legal precedures – Dutch production site to rescale https://textile-future.com/archives/20262
Sulzer 2018: strong operational performance and significant growth https://textile-future.com/archives/20268
Syngenta: 2018 Full Year Results https://textile-future.com/?p=20324
Copyright
Digital Single Market: EU negotiators reach a breakthrough to modernise copyright rules https://textile-future.com/?p=20276
Cotton
USDA – Cotton World Markets and Trade (update February 2019) https://textile-future.com/archives/20057
Data
December 2018 Euro Area international trade in goods surplus EUR17.0 billion, EUR 0.7 billion surplus for EU28 https://textile-future.com/?p=20346
Denim
How can the denim industry become more conscious? https://textile-future.com/?p=20304
Department Stores
Suning.com announced the Establishment of Department Store Group https://textile-future.com/?p=20301
Design
Lexus Partners with Streetwear Designer John Elliott to create Bespoke Tires on First-Ever UX https://textile-future.com/?p=20163
Discrimination Gucci owner admits to a blind Spot on Blackface https://textile-future.com/?p=20244
Events
Tent Expo 2019 shines with education and networking opportunities https://textile-future.com/?p=20102
WACKER unveils Polymeric Binder for the Production of Interior Paints with Ecolabel Credentials at 2019 European Coatings Show https://textile-future.com/?p=20234
Trend sneak preview by Carlin x Archroma at Premiere Vision Paris https://textile-future.com/archives/20239
SABIC to preview first digital composites manufacturing line at JEC World 2019 https://textile-future.com/archives/20294
Clariant focusing on Protecting Bulk Pharmaceuticals at Pharmapack https://textile-future.com/?p=20296
Fashion
H&M to stage immersive theatre format for latest collection https://textile-future.com/?p=20024
BASF pioneers fashion revolution with Seven Crash and San Fang at New York Fashion Week https://textile-future.com/?p=20131
New store concept – KappAhl Kids makes an entrance https://textile-future.com/?p=20135
Gucci still looks Nouveau Riche to Investors https://textile-future.com/?p=20196
U.S. Eyemart Express reveals Top 3 Spring Eyewear Trends https://textile-future.com/?p=20217
India
Marks & Spencer to open six more stores in next 60 days in India https://textile-future.com/?p=20225
Living
“Stuff” in USA is really getting more Expensive https://textile-future.com/?p=20264
Odour Control
Odour-free polyester functional clothing https://textile-future.com/?p=20278
New Products
Weavers and Brands increasingly keen on SEAQUAL™ https://textile-future.com/?p=20285
RFID
Elatec TWN4 Palon Panel, a Universal RFID reader for device integration https://textile-future.com/?p=20231
Seed Financing
Haute Hijab, DTC Fashion and Lifestyle Brand for Muslim Women, Announces USD 2.3 million Seed Financing round https://textile-future.com/?p=20184
Partnering
Kornit Digital expands Partnership with Delta Apparel https://textile-future.com/?p=20177
Personalities
Gap Brand Appoints Alegra O’Hare as Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer https://textile-future.com/?p=20018
Moda Operandi names Kristina Salen Chief Financial Officer https://textile-future.com/?p=20018
Minister of Textile Industry appointed in Turkmenistan https://textile-future.com/?p=20142
Jon Caplan, CEO of Johnston & Murphy and Genesco Branded Group, to Retire https://textile-future.com/?p=20142
Avery Dennison appoints Sam O’Keefe vice president of R&D EMEA https://textile-future.com/?p=20142
U.S. NCTO Announces Kimberly Glas as Next President & CEO https://textile-future.com/?p=20142
3D Printing
Dan Wellers, Digital Futures Lead at SAP “3D Printing will expand into 4D Printing” https://textile-future.com/?p=20144
Missouri Students create 3D Printed Switch Covers for USD 2.2 billion Aircraft https://textile-future.com/?p=20167
Recycling
Plastics Solutions Forum: ÉEQ and Citeo bring together actors from all segments of the value chain to develop plastics recycling https://textile-future.com/?p=20035
Retailing
400 jobs axed each day after turbulent Christmas in the U.K. https://textile-future.com/?p=20123
U.S. Retail imports still strong as possible March tariff hike approaches declares NRF https://textile-future.com/?p=20213
Edward Lampert’s Plan for Sears: Smaller Stores, Less Apparel https://textile-future.com/?p=20255
Sustainability
H&M and the Environmental Media Association kick off fashion month with a partnership to help close the loop https://textile-future.com/?p=20029
Trade
Agreement with Singapore set to give a boost to EU-Asia trade https://textile-future.com/?p=20248
Webinar
OECD Webinar on Materials use to 2060: Economic drivers and environmental consequence (February 18, 2019) https://textile-future.com/?p=20228
Worth Reading
Email Marketing is the backbone of most marketers https://textile-future.com/?p=20201 The 2019 E-commerce Trends & Tech Brand Growth Guidebook https://textile-future.com/?p=20201