Our Partnerships

Partnerships

The interdisciplinary expertise of the consortium partners is the key enabler for the successful implementation of the BioFibreLoop solutions.

The BioFibreLoop consortium is composed of strong and innovative industrial partners in the active-, outdoor- and workwear industries, covering the whole textile value chain. They are complemented by world-class academic partners bringing excellent expertise on the development of textile processes and technologies, safety, and sustainability as well as circularity and recycling aspects. In addition, the consortium includes actors of the social sciences providing outstanding knowledge on stakeholder engagement and innovation management. The partners will thus include a wide and complementary portfolio of competencies. This will be a unique opportunity for cross-field fertilization for experts with diverse expertise.
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Project Coordinator

Thomas Fischer,
Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf (DITF)
thomas.fischer@ditf.de

Technical Coordinator

Thomas Stegmaier,
Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf (DITF)
thomas.stegmaier@ditf.de

Funded by the European Union Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Program under Grant Agreement No. 101130603. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor HADEA can be held responsible for them.

Finland

  • Partner

Germany

  • Partner

Denmark

  • Partner

Czech Republic

  • Partner

Austria

  • Partner

Italy

  • Partner

Frace

  • Partner

Belgium

  • Partner

Spain

  • Partner
  • Deutsche Institute für Textil - und Faserforschung Denkendorf ( DITF )
Website

General description

The DITF form the largest textile research center in Europe with more than 250 scientific and technical staff. As the world’s only textile research facility and covering an area of more than 25,000 m², the DITF work right across the textile production and value chains. Since 1921, they have been across all the major fields within textiles. Their expertise comprises the entire fibre and textile chain from (bio)polymer synthesis over fibre extrusion, textile processing to finishing/coating and final product development, both in lab scale and pre-industrial dimension. Digital models and sustainability analysis complete the broad competences. They provide facilities and equipment for textile coating, biodegradation, environmental simulation and additive manufacturing. DITF has broad experience in management and coordination of research projects of all kinds.

Main role in project

Project coordination, production of lignin-based coating and textiles, environmental LCA, Digitalisation tools.

General description

  • Germany
  • Denkendorf
  • 1921
  • ALPhANOV - Optics & Lasers Technology Center (A-NOV)
Website

General description

ALPhANOV, a Technology Centre for Laser and Industrial Optics, has today more than 100 employees and 4 departments (Laser Machining, Photonics Systems, Laser Sources, Training and Safety) with the largest laser facilities of France. ALPhANOV represents a key partner for the transfer of laser technology from academy to industry.

Main role in project

In this project, ALPhANOV will validate and upscale a bioinspired laser-based functionalization process over bio-based textiles. By utilising breakthrough laser-based technology, special surface structures will be created on lignin, cellulosic material and PLA fabrics mimicking those found in nature.

General description

  • Frace
  • Bordeaux
  • 2007
  • BAT Graphics Vernitech (BAT)
Website

General description

BAT Graphics Vernitech is a privately owned company specialised in manufacturing printing cylinders. Those cylinders are called anilox, they are laser engraved and made of ceramic. They are used in printing and coating processes, mainly for the packaging industry, but also for all roll-to-roll process induction industries.

Main role in project

BAT Graphics Vernitech manufactures its tools and machines such as laser devices for special application. BAT Graphics Vernitech will bring its knowledge in laser engraving devices to define the needs regarding induction cylinders.

General description

  • Frace
  • Limoges
  • 1995
  • BEES - BE Engineers for Society (BEES)
Website

General description

BEES is a young and dynamic start-up born from the passion, will and experience of a group of engineers and managers to meet the increasingly pressing technical-commercial needs imposed by the new global market trends. It operates in the aerospace, naval and more generally industrial field, with a specific focus on automation, human machine interfaces (HMI), data acquisition systems, user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). BEES supports its partners also in terms of systems and life cycle engineering, as well as in technology transfer and market uptake of new and existing technologies as well as products through dedicated strategies.

Main role in project

BEES will mainly be involved in supporting the development of biomimetic laser-based surface functionalisation, the development of conceptual process designs (CPDs) and engineering layouts incl. automation and user manual of upgraded lignin-based coating and embossing process. It will also contribute to WP2 “Digital Tools”, helping with the design of the Digital Twin of the process and the Open Virtual Replication Tool. Finally, BEES will also participate in WP6 and WP7.

General description

  • Italy
  • Villaricca
  • 2020
  • Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljø (NFA)
Website

General description

NFA, a government research institute under the Danish Ministry of Employment, is dedicated to occupational health and safety, aiming to create safe and healthy work environments aligned with societal advancements. The institute has led and participated in numerous national and EU-funded projects, focusing on exposure assessment, risk modeling, and hazard testing, especially concerning toxicological effects from pulmonary and dermal exposure. NFA has developed crucial tools for governance, risk assessment, and sustainability analysis, and has conducted extensive research on emissions, exposure, and health effects.

Main role in project

NFA will lead WP4 on Safety and Sustainability Assessment, focusing on circularity-by-design and improving the sustainability of the BioFibreLoop product lines. Their efforts will aim to minimize environmental impacts and address risks to workers and consumers, with a special emphasis on worker risks. NFA will develop a comprehensive safety and sustainability framework and provide evidence through Risk Assessment, Environmental/Social Life Cycle Assessment (E-/S-LCA), and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) for the three product lines.

General description

  • Denmark
  • Copenhagen
  • 1980
  • FreyZein GmbH (FreyZein)
Website

General description

FreyZein is a SME specialized in manufacturing sustainable technical outdoor fabrics & apparel. Their products are a testament to their commitment to bio-based biodegradable or recycled materials. Their remarkable 100 % cellulose-based lineup, their expertise in circularity and performance suitability of technical fabrics and in-house facilities for garment manufacturing and top-tier fabric analytics equipment sets them apart.

Main role in project

The main role of FreyZein within the project is validation and demonstration of cellulosic material functionalisation process in outdoor-wear application. In addition to this, FreyZein will produce example garments that showcase the developed technology in a capsule collection. Finally, FreyZein will lend their expertise in the exploitation of the technology at a commercial level.

General description

  • Austria
  • Graz
  • 2020
  • IDENER Research and development AIE (IDENER)
Website

General description

IDENER Research & Development is the IDENER division focused on the R&D activities of the group. Specifically, IDENER R&D investigates the multidisciplinary field of Computational Science and its application of systems and processes in key areas: Industrial Technologies, ICTs, Biotechnology, Energy, Resource and Raw Materials Efficiency.

Main role in project

Digital Twin construction and Virtual Replication Tool development. Techno-economic analysis (TEA).

General description

  • Spain
  • Sevilla
  • 2010
  • Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (imec)
Website

General description

The work in this project is performed at imec’s Centre for Microsystems Technology (CMST), located at the University of Gent. CMST is designing and developing microsystems such as implantable devices, smart contact lenses, optical sensors or devices for IoT, making use of a number of technology platforms such as flexible and stretchable electronics, opto-electronic packaging, polymer waveguides, liquid crystal technology, microfluidics, ASIC design or thin chip packaging. This shows imec-cmst bringing together expertise from electronics, mechanics, physics and chemistry.”

Main role in project

One of the research tracks of imec-cmst is wearables and e-textiles. Different technology platforms are available to integrate electronics and sensors into textiles, to be able to measure body or environmental parameters. In Biofibreloop, we will integrate a textile-based sensor system to measure temperature and humidity, the level of comfort, in the garments made by the newly developed sustainable materials. This is in order to benchmark these in comparison to traditional textile fabrics.

General description

  • Belgium
  • Leuven
  • 1984
  • J.G. Knopf's Sohn GmbH & Co. KG (KNOPF)
Website

General description

Knopf’s Sohn is an expert for dyeing, coating and dressing of virtually all fibres being processed in textiles.

Main role in project

industrial partner; validation and demonstration of lignin-based coating, functionalisation process and workwear applications, replication and exploitation activities

General description

  • Germany
  • Helmbrechts
  • 1809
  • Next Technology Tecnotessile Società Nazionale di Ricerca R.L. (NTT)
Website

General description

Next Technology Tecnotessile (NTT) is a pivotal hub in Italy’s textile sector, connecting research with industry. It offers services to develop and optimize products as well as processes in favor of companies in the textile, fashion, and textile machinery sectors. NTT research mainly addresses circular economy and bioeconomy, supporting companies with technological transfer, prototyping of machines, innovation on smart textiles, and environmental and socio-economic impacts assessment. More than 40 years of activity, together with numerous participations in research and development projects, have enabled NTT to create a large network of links and collaborations, with the most relevant industrial realities, universities, research centers, and service companies operating in Italy, Europe and the rest of the world.

Main role in project

NTT leads two tasks in the WP4 “Safety and sustainability assessment” and will provide its expertise in Circular design, Environmental and Social LCA. NTT will collaborate in WP1 “Technology upgrade: from flat master to roll-to-roll continuous production” and in WP3 “Recyclability and biodegradation” in order to produce PLA-based non-woven textiles using the air-laying technology and to assess their mechanical recyclability.

General description

  • Italy
  • Prato
  • 1972
  • NIL Textile, s.r.o. (NIL)
Website

General description

NIL Textile makes textile circular and sustainable thanks to innovative circular materials which are 100% recycled and 100% recyclable. It is possible to return the products via NIL Circular System and NIL Textile recycles them into the same quality textile with molecular recycling technology. Based on the circularity and an ethical production located in the Czech Republic, NIL Textile products achieve radically low environmental impacts and do not contribute to social inequalities. Comfortability, durability and modern designs are the main outputs of the production certified by ISO, GRS, GOTS or OEKO-TEX standards. Let your textile change lives.

Main role in project

Validation and demonstration of PLA/cellulosic material functionalisation process in activewear.

General description

  • Czech Republic
  • Ostrava
  • 2018
  • Steinbeis Europa Zentrum / Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH (Steinbeis)
Website

General description

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum is an enterprise of Steinbeis Innovation gGmbH, a non-profit research organisation within the Steinbeis Foundation for Technology Transfer. Steinbeis has 30 years of experience in building innovation capacities in enterprises, supporting their participation in EU research projects as well as supporting cross-border research and technology transfer. It is member of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) with close to 600 participating organisations in over 60 countries, partner in the network for European technology transfer, regional contact point for SMEs in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and supports Baden-Württemberg’s Universities of Applied Science in formulating proposals and implementing European projects on behalf of the Ministry of Research, Science and the Arts Baden-Württemberg. One of the key sectors in which Steinbeis is active is environmental technologies and materials.

Main role in project

Steinbeis leads the communication and dissemination activities throughout the project, enabling conveying information and results to all relevant stakeholders and the general public. In close collaboration with NIL, Steinbeis will ensure an effective and sustainable exploitation of the project’s results. Additionally, Steinbeis is responsible for the multi-stakeholder engagement along the textile industry value chain and the collaboration with other EU-funded projects and initiatives. Furthermore, Steinbeis supports the coordinator, DITF, with the project management.

General description

  • Germany
  • Stuttgart
  • 1990
  • Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy (VTT)
Website

General description

VTT, as one of Europe’s leading research institutions owned by the Finnish state, pioneers over 80 years of experience in cutting-edge scientific research, providing high-end technology solutions and innovation services. VTT advances utilization and commercialization of world-class applied research and technology in commerce and society, turning large global challenges into sustainable growth for businesses and society. VTT’s extensive activities in carbon neutral solutions, sustainable products and materials and digital technologies help its’ clients and stakeholders to undertake new and sustainable business activities. Engaging active cooperation between stakeholders, VTT fosters regular information flows and a common vision of Finland’s priority areas together with sustainable competitiveness in Europe. This is how VTT creates sustainable growth and wellbeing bringing together people, business, science and technology that contribute to a brighter future and bring exponential hope.

Main role in project

VTT is responsible for recycling of textile materials and supporting sustainability assessment by investigating end-of-life (EoL) strategies of developed textile applications in BioFibreLoop.

General description

  • Finland
  • Espoo
  • 1942