The Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology of the Hochschule Niederrhein presented itself at the largest international trade fair for textile machinery ITMA in Milan in June. Almost 40 employees and professors of the faculty were on site as contacts for the industry. They presented themselves with a focus on sustainable and innovative solutions and as a network for future specialists.
In addition, 100 students were given the opportunity to travel to Milan. The excursion was supported by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA). At the fair, the students were able to gain a very good overall impression of the multifaceted textile production chain in a very short time and get to know industry-leading companies.
With exhibits that changed daily - in many cases final projects by students from the faculty as well as prototypes from research projects - and a digital dressing room from the 5GARderobe research project, the trade fair stand achieved positive feedback and high visitor numbers. With products specially manufactured at the university, the trade fair stand provided an insight into the existing possibilities of the faculty and presented innovative solution and research approaches for industry.
In cooperation with the company manaomea, the university designed a creative give-away in the form of a ballpoint pen made from textile waste and leftovers of the faculty, which underline the sustainable approach of the university.
In addition to the trade fair stand, the faculty presented itself as a competent contact in research and development with specialist presentations. The team around Professor Dr. Monika Eigenstetter was represented with a presentation at the ITMA Textile Colourants and Chemicals Forum. Evelyn Lempa and Aslihan Memisoglu gave insights into a German-Indonesian sustainability project with their presentation 'Innovative Finishing Processes and an Effective Chemicals Management for a Safe and Sustainable Textile Industry'. Alexandra Glogowsky presented 'Use of 3D printing technology for the production of thin layers. Digital coating of textiles.' Current research developments in the field of 3D printing on textiles at the ITMA Innovator Xchange Forum.
In a press conference, Professor Dr. Maike Rabe (Research Institute for Textile and Clothing of the Hochschule Niederrhein, FTB) and Sina Borczyk (Wirtschaftsförderung Mönchengladbach GmbH) presented the planned Textile Factory 7.0. T7 is a joint project of FTB, the Institute for Textile Technology at RWTH Aachen University, the Association of the Northwest German Textile and Clothing Industry and the Association of the Rhenish Textile and Clothing Industry, with the Textile Academy NRW and WFMG for the city of Mönchengladbach. During the fair, The Hochschule Niederrhein was welcomed as a full member in the General Assembly of AUTEX (Association of Universities for Textiles).
Interested parties can find more information on the exhibits on display in the virtual showroom: https://www.hs-niederrhein.de/faculties/textile-and-clothing-technology/faculty/itma/
