The unveiling of the RS-26e marks the culmination of an intensive year of development. The student team has been working on the design and optimisation of the racing car for months. “Every season provides us with valuable insights. We have consistently used this knowledge to further improve the RS-26e. Our focus was on refining the tried-and-tested vehicle concept and making the racing car even more reliable and safer,” says team leader Philipp Jacobs.

One of the most important technical innovations is the introduction of live telemetry for the first time. Vehicle data can be transmitted and analysed in real time whilst the car is in motion. This allows performance and vehicle behaviour to be analysed immediately and potential for optimisation to be identified even more quickly.

The RS-26e will compete in its first international event at Formula Student Alpe Adria. The competition takes place from 17 to 23 August at the Bugatti Rimac Test Track near Zagreb in Croatia. There, HSNR Racing will compete against student racing teams from all over the world and put the new racing car through its paces in the disciplines of design, performance and endurance.

The four-year project began on 1 July 2026 and has received funding of around 2.9 million euros. Project partners include Stadtmarketing Krefeld, the adult education centres in Krefeld and Mönchengladbach, the Mönchengladbach Marketing Association and Freischwimmer e.V.

In terms of content, the project is divided into three sub-objectives. Firstly, students are to develop problem-solving strategies for societal challenges through transdisciplinary and curricular projects. Secondly, the focus is on population groups that have had little contact with universities to date, with the aim of offering them low-threshold access and opportunities for participation. Thirdly, the project serves as a framework for lecturers to guide their own transdisciplinary initiatives.

A mix of methods is used for practical implementation, including a pop-up stand, a virtual reality environment and, above all, the so-called ‘Science Truck’. This mobile meeting place is designed as a shared workspace for students and members of the public. Topics are identified over the long term through direct dialogue. Students identify problem areas, formulate research questions, develop potential solutions and ultimately feed the results back into society.

“This funding gives us the opportunity to link teaching education, research and social engagement even more closely. With the CampusMobil project, we are creating new learning spaces outside the university and, together with members of the public, developing solutions to specific local challenges. In this way, science becomes a direct experience and can make a visible contribution to social development,” says Professor Dr Alexander Rachmann from the Faculty of Industrial Engineering.

Two pilot topics have been selected to kick off the project; these affect local residents and align with the HSNR’s teaching education and research areas. The first pilot topic addresses the challenges of digitalisation in schools, whilst the second focuses on inner-city mobility.

Initially, the two faculties of Engineering Sciences and Computer Science, as well as Industrial Engineering, are involved. In the long term, however, the plan is to integrate all faculties and Degree programmes at the HSNR into the project. Other universities are also to be involved in the project through workshops. This will create a two-way channel that will form the foundation course for a community of university lecturers dedicated to transdisciplinary teaching education.

Further information is available at: https://www.hs-niederrhein.de/faculty-of-industrial-engineering/we-as-a-faculty/iot-labor-1/campus-mobil/

The prize for the best Bachelor's thesis was awarded to Nora Torst from Mönchengladbach, a graduate of the Textile & Clothing Management degree programme. In her thesis, which was awarded an overall mark of 1.0, she investigated the chemical recycling of PET textiles treated with phosphorus-based flame retardants. The aim of her research was to identify ways in which textile waste can be recycled to a high standard whilst simultaneously recovering valuable raw materials.

To this end, she analysed both different flame retardant chemistries and various ways in which the flame retardants bind to the polyester fibre, and investigated their behaviour during a multi-stage chemical recycling process. Particular attention was paid to the fate of the phosphorus, as well as the purity of the recycled terephthalic acid, an important feedstock for the production of PET.

The bachelor's thesis was written as part of the SiWerTEX research project at the Research Institute for Textile and Clothing (FTB) at the Hochschule Niederrhein, in collaboration with the Institute for Chemical and Thermal Process Engineering (ICTV) at the Technical University of Braunschweig.

The prize money was donated by the Association of the Rhenish Textile and Clothing Industry e. V. and presented by Dr Uwe Kirchhoff. Nora Torst intends to invest the prize money in her forthcoming Master’s degree programme in Australia.

Fernanda Katharina Baum (Textile Products degree programme) from Düsseldorf was also granted a distinction for her master's thesis, which was awarded an overall mark of 1.2. The graduate investigated the influence of various spinning agents on the spinning process and the yarn properties of lyocell-algae rotor yarns. To this end, she produced yarns from Lyocell fibres and cultivated algae and analysed how different rotors and draw-off nozzles influence the spinning process. The focus was on both the flow characteristics during yarn production and the strength of the finished yarns. The results provide important insights into the processing of sustainable fibre materials.

The prize money was donated by Textile and Fashion Network e. V. (TFN), the faculty’s support association. Having successfully completed her Master’s degree, Fernanda Katharina Baum is now working on the Algacore research project at the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology at The Hochschule Niederrhein. She intends to invest part of the prize money in the purchase of a new sewing machine.

Through the “Textile Design Connects” project, the faculty is taking part in the international programme and demonstrating how textile design can foster social dialogue, preserve cultural heritage and highlight democratic values. The project combines design, trade and participation, and invites visitors to see design as a tool for exchange and co-creation.

The project kicked off on 22 April 2026 with the interactive dialogue workshop ‘Water Connects’ at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK). Visitors learnt about textile techniques and natural dyeing methods and worked together to develop ideas for sustainable design. The focus was on approaches to integrative and participatory design that foster a shared creative process and bring together different perspectives.

Another highlight followed in May with the performance ‘A Cry for Democracy’. Together with representatives from the Museum of Applied Arts, lecturers and students from the HSNR, as well as representatives and trainees from the costume workshops of the Städtische Bühnen Frankfurt, the Vienna theatres and the Salzburg Festival, the group paraded through Frankfurt city centre. Accompanied by the character ‘Der Schrei’ (The Scream), the participants drew attention to the importance of textile craft trades and the preservation of traditional expertise.

“We spoke out in support of preserving a whole host of trades: shoemaking, hat-making, ladies’ and gentlemen’s tailoring, make-up and more. We spoke out in favour of preserving the trade techniques and textile knowledge that we are in danger of losing if many trade and industrial businesses close down,” explains Prof. Dr Marina-Elena Wachs from the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology.

In the view of those involved in the project, financial cuts in the cultural sector threaten not only jobs but also the preservation of trade skills and cultural knowledge. The repercussions extend far beyond the theatre landscape and affect issues of social participation and cultural diversity, which contribute significantly to the development of democracy.

“Anyone who advocates these cuts now is turning their back on the trades – both within and outside cultural organisations – that are so vital to the theatre landscape, which will have significant cultural and economic consequences for our country,” warns Markus Maas, Director of the Costume Workshops at Städtische Bühnen Frankfurt am Main GmbH.

The latest major contribution from the Hochschule Niederrhein to the WDC 2026 is now on display in the current MAK exhibition: textile and fashion design students from the Hochschule Niederrhein are showcasing their designs for the future in Frankfurt am Main until 9 August 2026. Further information on the WDC Campus Exhibition 2026 is available at: https://wdc2026.org/en/frames/wdc-campus-exhibition

On Saturday 1 August, from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm, the university will open its doors at the Krefeld West campus (Frankenring 20) to all residents of Krefeld, those interested in studies or design, as well as friends and parents of the students. The programme includes talks such as ‘Your Design Degree’ (11.30 am) and ‘Insights into Editorial Design’ (1.30 pm), as well as workshops and hands-on activities such as ‘Stamps and Graffiti’. No prior knowledge is required.

In addition, the ceramics, 3D printing, printmaking, woodwork and plastics workshops will be open, offering insights into the practical work carried out by the faculty. Prospective students can take advantage of individual portfolio advisory services as well as campus and exhibition tours to get a feel for everyday student life.

“Design is in everything, so everyone will find something exciting at the faculty exhibition. I’m very much looking forward to this meeting between the university and the public, and to plenty of discussion about the role of design in society for the future,” says Erik Schmid, Dean of the Faculty of Design.

The works on display showcase the wide range of the design degree programme – from book covers and apps through to game design, product design and communication design. Many projects address current social issues and develop creative responses to topics such as social inequality, artificial intelligence, sustainability, community, loneliness and food culture.

For example, in her Bachelor's thesis in the field of speculative design, Tasja Schober examines the effects of rising temperatures on people on low incomes. Her design develops a creative solution for coping with the heat whilst also addressing the social stigma attached to sweating bodies. Elisa van Lierde, in collaboration with the Faculties of Food and Nutrition Sciences and Textile and Clothing Technology, investigated how design – through table linen and seating arrangements – influences people’s behaviour when eating together.

The popular vote for the 2026 Christmas market mug is also back on the programme. Students on the Product and Object Design degree programme have developed various designs under the motto ‘Mood in a Cup’, from which visitors can choose their favourite.

“At the faculty exhibition, we regularly showcase who we are, what we do and where we – and design – stand in the world, because that is why we offer apprenticeships in a responsible and forward-looking manner,” explains Erik Schmid.

Further information on the programme is available at: www.hs-niederrhein.de/design/faculty exhibition/

This time, five students from the Faculty of Design at the Hochschule Niederrhein explored the theme of the mug in a course led by their professor, Lisa Freyschmidt. ‘Mood in a cup’ was the theme this time. ‘A mug is, first and foremost, a practical object: you can drink from it, and it warms your hands,” says Lisa Freyschmidt. “But it can also embody a mood. The aim of the course was to infuse the cup with a feeling and an atmosphere. This can be achieved, for example, through its shape, a motif or a distinctive relief.”

Claire Neidhardt, head of city marketing, values the annual collaboration with the university’s design students for various reasons. “We want to highlight the excellent apprenticeship available here in Krefeld and the wonderful ideas the students come up with,” she explains. “We’ve noticed that people are curious about the mug every year. Last year, lots of people took part in the vote, and everyone had different favourites.”

Indeed, the variety of mugs is impressive; although they are all white, they differ greatly in shape and design. This may well be down to the completely different sources of inspiration drawn upon during their creation. For Laura Gorecka, it was a poem about the North Star that provided the decisive inspiration. With her minimalist design, she sought to capture the tranquillity of an untouched snowy landscape. “A band runs down the middle, which, in a way, embraces the mug,” explains the student. “I’ve incorporated the relief of a star into the cup.” The design is characterised by its universal, linear shape and its light weight.

When creating her model, Sophie Armbrust had family and friends in mind, gathering round a festively laid table at Christmas. “The cup is meant to be a quiet companion,” she says. “It should convey a sense of togetherness, warmth and belonging.” Here, too, a star is used as a relief, but on a much larger scale. The mugs can be stacked, and when placed one on top of the other, they complete the star motif. The mug has a generous capacity of 350 millilitres.

Björn Hackenbruck is the only one to have featured a colourful motif on his cup: a skier hurtling down a slope. “When designing it, I had the first set of ski tracks on a freshly groomed slope in mind,” explains the designer. “I wanted to transfer that association to the mug.” Indeed, on closer inspection, you can see that the skier leaves a fresh track in relief behind him, which runs all the way round the mug. Narrower lines run from top to bottom, intended to evoke the characteristic texture of a slope immediately after a snow groomer has passed over it.

Jana Klimmek has brought along a whole sheet full of drawings of mugs. Drawing on her own inspirations, she ultimately chose an extremely original idea. “We’re seeing less and less snow in winter and lots of rain instead,” says the student. “The mug depicts this new kind of Christmas weather as a stormy, rainy day.” A drop-shaped relief allows you to experience this weather by touch, whilst the handle is reminiscent of an umbrella handle.

Louise Köhnen also opted for a distinctive handle shape for her mug: the handle, shaped like a little man, is reminiscent of a freshly cut-out biscuit. “My mug combines nostalgia with historical drinking culture,” says the student, explaining her almost classic design. “It made me think of Christmas at my grandmother’s. For me, it was always like stepping into another world.” The cosy warmth that a hot chocolate with cream leaves on your fingers is meant to be felt thanks to the shape of the mug.

Anyone wishing to take a closer look at the five prototypes for the new Christmas mug has two opportunities to do so: they will be on display at the Faculty of Design’s faculty exhibition on Saturday, 1 August, from 11 am to 5 pm at the Shedhalle on Frankenring, and from 4 to 7 August they will be on display during normal opening hours at the Lechner & Hayn stationery shop at Rheinstraße 114. Voting is taking place at the exhibitions in person, as well as on 27 July and 5 August via the city marketing team’s Instagram channel (#heimatreisenkrefeld).

The forum was organised by the Centre for Textile Logistics (CTL) at the Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) in Dortmund. The aim of this annual event is to strengthen the exchange between research and industry and to jointly develop perspectives for efficient and sustainable textile logistics.

“The challenges facing the textile industry can only be overcome by working together. In particular, the combination of scientific expertise, technological innovations and practical application is crucial for developing new solutions for the future of textile logistics,” emphasised Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Muschkiet, Head of the Centre for Textile Logistics at the HSNR and at the Fraunhofer IML.

This year’s programme covered the full spectrum of current issues: the focus was, amongst other things, on the development of a circular economy for textiles, the use of artificial intelligence in logistics processes, sustainable materials, recycling potential and smart solutions for the collection and recycling of end-of-life textiles.

Following the welcome address by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Muschkiet and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uwe Clausen (Director of the Fraunhofer IML and of the Institute for Transport Logistics at Dortmund Technical University), a varied programme of specialist presentations took place. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robert Groten from HSNR presented research results on the integration of sustainability aspects relating to polymers in textile product development and highlighted the importance of product design for the subsequent reuse and recycling of textiles.

Dr Anna Missong, academic staff at HSNR, then presented findings from the project “Nachhal(l)tigkeit – Sustainable Skills Training for an Environmentally Friendly Textile and Clothing Industry”.

A key item on the agenda was the panel discussion ‘Textile Logistics in Challenging Times’. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Muschkiet, together with Stefan Anspach (Managing Director of Mönchengladbach Economic Development Agency), Ralf Düster (Vice President of Customer Solutions at the Rhenus Group) and Patrick Lamke (Head of Inbound Logistics at KiK Textilien und Non-Food GmbH) on current market conditions, new demands on supply chains and the importance of resilient logistics structures.

“Textile logistics is facing a fundamental transformation. Issues such as the circular economy and digitalisation will have a significant impact on the sector in the coming years. To address this, we need new partnerships and innovative approaches across the entire value chain,” said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Muschkiet.

The importance of Mönchengladbach as a textile hub was also highlighted. Felix Heinrichs, Lord Mayor of Mönchengladbach, emphasised in his opening remarks the role of the sector in the city’s economic development and the importance of research and innovation for the future of the location.

The subsequent start-up pitches offered insights into new business models. The company “nodes”, which emerged from the Centre for Textile Logistics and was represented by Sabrina Mauter and Lisa Gudehus, is developing a digital recycling management tool for the collection and distribution of textile offcuts and waste materials. The aim is to improve the tracking of textile materials and return them to recycling loops. The start-up “Baybi.O”, presented by Günther Winck, is taking a stand against textile overproduction with a waste-free, on-demand production model.

In addition, Janika Schüßler, an academic staff member at the CTL, presented the results of a consumer survey on perceptions of the obligation to separate waste textiles for collection in Germany. Another specialisation was the “CollecTS” (Collect Textiles Smart) research project, presented by Anna Engelpracht (Head of Environmental Management at mags Mönchengladbacher Abfall-, Grün- und Straßenbetriebe AöR) and Lisa Gudehus (CTL). The aim of the project is to develop smart solutions for the collection of used textiles, thereby laying the foundation for improved recycling processes.

To round off the event, participants took part in workshops and were given guided tours of the laboratories and internships of the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology at the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein (HSNR). There was also time for networking and professional exchange.

About the Centre for Textile Logistics (CTL): The Centre for Textile Logistics (CTL) is a joint venture between the Hochschule Niederrhein and the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML). At the Mönchengladbach and Dortmund sites, interdisciplinary teams work under the joint leadership of Prof. Dr Markus Muschkiet on practical research questions relating to the logistics of textile products. Under the guiding principle ‘Logistics for textiles – textiles for logistics’, the CTL combines scientific research with the requirements of industry and develops innovative solutions for sustainable and efficient textile logistics.

“Our analysis of the existing funding structures shows that without strategic direction and a market perspective, the potential for innovation is wasted. There is an urgent need for reform in the form of clear programme guidelines and a market-oriented approach,” said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kira Kastell, HAfM Chair and President of Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences. The time for reform is now – before further innovation potential is lost in the funding jungle.

Overall, the University Alliance for SMEs has set out four key demands in its position paper:

• Seamless funding chains instead of isolated projects
• Appropriate framework conditions for universities of applied sciences and SMEs
• A focus on commercialisation as a cross-cutting task
• Flexibility and speed

The study makes it particularly clear that a more consistent funding policy is absolutely essential. The Federal Government’s ‘Research & Application Initiative’, with the three pillars of the ZIM/IGF programmes, the Transfer Booster and the German Association for Applied Research (DAFG), lays the foundations for the intended acceleration of knowledge transfer within the framework of the coalition agreement. In addition, alongside the High-Tech Agenda for Germany (HTAD), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMFTR) has developed the F.A.S.T. transfer initiative as part of the Transfer Booster, whose funding principles are directly geared towards the level of innovation in the projects. “This approach is expressly welcomed by the HAfM,” said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Ritzenhoff, Managing Director of the HAfM. Nevertheless, he added, there is a need for framework conditions specific to universities of applied sciences (HAWs) and SMEs, funding that covers the entire process from the initial idea through application to market orientation, as well as short and swift decision-making processes. The German Association for Applied Research (DAFG) and its inclusion in the Pact for Research and Innovation could help to ensure the sustainability of research at universities of applied sciences. Specific demands from universities of applied sciences regarding the structure and establishment of the DAFG have already been formulated by the Bad Wiesseer Kreis. Accordingly, the position paper sets out concrete steps for an agile funding policy:

• Streamlining and prioritisation
• Market orientation as standard
• Reducing bureaucracy and increasing speed
• Strengthening regional networking

“Overall, our evaluation of existing transfer programmes reveals that innovation initiatives tend to be held back rather than accelerated,” says Prof. Kastell. A funding policy that is agile, end-to-end and sustainable, whilst taking appropriate account of the existing framework conditions, would be an important step towards overcoming the weaknesses in implementation. The solution does not require further individual programmes, but rather a seamless innovation pipeline that:

• systematically links universities of applied sciences and SMEs,
• integrates commercialisation from the outset,
• reduces red tape and rewards speed,
• strengthens regional innovation ecosystems.

Only in this way can the innovation potential of universities of applied sciences be harnessed, innovative SMEs be sustainably strengthened, and the transfer of research results into marketable products be accelerated.

Download the HAfM position paper online.

The ADC Talent Award is one of the most important competitions for emerging talent in creative communication and design in the German-speaking world. In 2026, it was held for the 41st time. A total of 71 universities from the DACH region took part in the competition, submitting 531 student projects. The awards ceremony took place as part of the ADC Festival of Creative Excellence on the main stage at Schuppen 52 in the Port of Hamburg.

Particularly successful was the semester project “Anadolukraft” by Seymar Kilic, created as part of the project course “Art Direction / Shake Your Money Maker” taught by Prof. Richard Jung, Professor of Communication Design and Brand Identity. The project was awarded one ADC Gold Nail, two ADC Silver Nails and a further distinction.

The assignment for the course was to develop one’s own brand, design products, establish a communication strategy and launch the brand on the market. Seymar Kilic developed ‘Anadolukraft’ from this, a fashion and merchandise brand that brings German-Turkish everyday culture to the fore. A mix of languages, humour, pop culture, family codes and shared experiences come together to form a self-assured brand system. From the often-described ‘between two cultures’ emerges a cultural force of its own.

Sirin Ezgin’s Bachelor's thesis, “Anti-Bias AI Project”, has also received multiple distinctions. The thesis was produced as part of the Communication Design degree programme under Prof. Richard Jung; the co-supervisor was Inseeyah Stieldorf, Executive Creative Director at Scholz & Friends Hamburg. The project received a bronze ADC Nagel, as well as three further distinctions.

The Anti-Bias AI Project addresses one of the key technological issues of our time: artificial intelligence (AI) and societal biases. Generative AI often appears neutral, yet it can reproduce existing biases. Sirin Ezgin not only highlights this problem but also allows it to be experienced interactively. Posters in public spaces link via QR code to a platform where users can test for themselves how different prompts alter the results of generative AI. This makes an abstract topic concretely understandable.

Three projects from semester-long courses taught by Prof. Nora Gummert-Hauser and Jens Könen (acting professor) in the field of typography and editorial design were also awarded a distinction.

Charlotte Finzel’s project ‘Algorithms Without Fascism’ was awarded an ADC Silver Nail and a further distinction. The project explores the relationship between digital systems, algorithmic logic and social responsibility. In doing so, this work addresses a highly topical issue: the design and critical reflection on digital technologies that are increasingly shaping everyday life, perception and public communication.

The “Haaralarm” project by Vivian Assmann, Lena Bothe and Conor Doherty was entered in three categories and received a distinction. This semester project focuses on the seemingly mundane topic of hair, using it as a starting point to develop a multi-layered editorial project exploring identity, beauty standards, personal stories and cultural codes. Texts, interviews, photographs, illustrations and experimental photo spreads are brought together to form a book. The editorial structure is particularly compelling: alphabetical order, cross-references and thematic pathways translate the logic of digital linking into an analogue medium.

Nadia Radau’s semester project was also honoured; submitted in two categories, it received a distinction. The starting point was a free-form editorial work on the theme of ‘farewell’. Nadia Radau interprets the concept as a farewell to trust in photographic images. Her experimental book explores how AI-generated images, deepfakes and algorithmic aesthetics challenge the credibility of photography. Visually, this sense of uncertainty is conveyed through red threads, strikethroughs, black bars, and sequences of images and text.

Further information and videos on the works can be found at: https://www.adc.de/wettbewerb/adc-gallery/talents/year/2026/

This year, three Master’s students from the “Textile Product Design” degree programme at the Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) – Nina Becker, Kerstin Greul and Kai Nöcker – qualified for the competition. Their work was created as part of an experimental design process in which the development of shapes and surfaces begins directly with the processing of yarns, rather than relying on ready-made fabrics. The high-quality yarns used for the competition were supplied by the Italian spinning mills Manifattura IGEA S.p.a., Olimpias Group SRL and Naturali Filati.

Although, in the end, young design talents from Japan and Italy emerged victorious in a close contest, the designs by the three talented Master’s students – which were created through painstaking work in the HSNR’s various laboratories – received high praise. As well as presenting their designs, the competition offered the students the opportunity to engage with an international audience, make contacts and get to know various yarn companies.

“The quality and diversity of our degree programmes, in which creative and technical subjects are given equal weight, combined with the excellent laboratory facilities, offer students fantastic opportunities for development and consistently enable them to qualify and participate successfully at an international level,” emphasises Ellen Bendt, professor of Fashion Design with a specialisation in Knitwear and Innovative Product Design at the HSNR, who supervised the competition entrants from the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology.

The outfits created by the three students will be on display at the Textile Museum in Prato until October.