The European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing (Textile ETP) will be showcasing its key projects at the Research and Education Pavilion (R&E Pavilion) at ITMA 2015, the leading textile and garment technology exhibition that is set to take place from 12-19 November 2015 at Fiera Milano Rho in Milan, Italy.

“The Textile ETP is the largest European expert's network for professionals involved in textile and clothing research and innovation. Our objectives include encouraging European-wide networking and collaboration, and facilitating access to EU research funding opportunities and a textile technology marketplace. Hence, we are pleased to support ITMA and to profile our projects at the R&E Pavilion,” commented Lutz Walter, Secretary General of the Textile ETP.

The Textile ETP, initially launched in 2004, was established as an international non-profit organisation last year by three founding members: EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation; TEXTRANET, the European Network of Textile Research and Technology Organisations; and AUTEX, the Association of Universities for Textiles.

Key projects

Among the actions, which will be highlighted in the Textile ETP, are Energy Made-to-Measure campaign and 2BFUNTEX project.

2BFUNTEX, spearheaded by AUTEX, aims to boost collaboration between research centres and the industry, and to facilitate rapid adoption of innovative functional textile structures and textile related materials. Within the project, eight multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) have also been set up: antimicrobial textiles, biotechnologies, electrospinning, flame retardancy, nanotechnologies, plasma, smart textiles and sustainable textiles.

Energy Made-to-Measure is the campaign coordinated by EURATEX and supported by the EU to pursue greater energy efficiency in the textile and clothing industry. Several organisations from, currently, 11 countries are involved in the campaign that brings resources and information to companies, supporting them to take action.

Showcase of capabilities

Response to the R&E Pavilion has been encouraging, according to CEMATEX, owner of the exhibition. Charles Beauduin, President of CEMATEX, explained: “The R&E Pavilion will continue to provide excellent opportunities to educational and research organisations to share their R&D achievements and projects with the industry. Hence, we are happy to support exhibitors in the pavilion with the CEMATEX grant.”

“To-date, we have over 30 exhibitors from 13 countries which will be using the ITMA platform to showcase their projects and capabilities, and to explore collaborations with exhibitors and visitors from all over the world.”

Among the institutions which will be participating in ITMA 2015 is the NC State University College of Textiles, USA. Melissa Sharp, Business Development Coordinator of Zeis Textiles Extension at the college, said: “Besides showcasing our research capabilities as the leading US textile college, we will gain quality contacts at ITMA 2015 as it attracts the global textile and garment industry leaders.”

Speakers platform

The R&E Pavilion will feature a Speakers Platform for participating institutes to present their latest projects. A technical committee has been formed to select presentations.

The committee consists of

• Dr Jeroen Vits, Secretary General, Belgian Textile Machinery Association (SYMATEX), Belgium (Chairman)
• Prof Vladan Koncar, Director of Research, GEMTEX, Head of Research, ENSAIT, France
• Prof Thomas Gries, Director, Institut für Textiltechnik, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
• Prof Takeshi Kikutani, Professor, Department of Organic and Polymeric Materials, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
• Dr Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Director, The Nonwovens Institute, North Carolina State University, USA

At the same time, to recognise outstanding achievements in textile and garment related post-graduate research, CEMATEX has launched the Research & Education Excellence Award. Participating institutions in the R&E Pavilion may nominate their post-graduate students for the Masters and Doctorate categories of the Award.

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