ITM presents cutting-edge textile research at Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main

Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology presents research for industry and society

From April 21 to 24, 2026, the Chair of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TUD Dresden University of Technology will be presenting its current research at Techtextil, the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. In Hall 12.0, Stand D41, the team will be demonstrating how it combines high-performance fibers, AI-supported digital development tools and innovative machine technologies to develop textile solutions for lightweight construction, construction, medical technology and sustainable production from atom to product.

The ITM researches cross-material and cross-technology approaches along the entire textile process chain. Material design, mechanical engineering, technology development and product design through to industrial use are at the heart of the trade fair presentation. The researchers design high-performance fibers made of carbon, glass, aramid, steel and ceramics and combine them into multi-material fiber structures. They integrate customized functions such as sensors and actuators into textile surfaces and spatial structures in a targeted manner, thereby driving the development of high-performance, application-oriented products.

Research focuses on interactive fiber composites, reinforcement textiles and textile architecture as well as medical and biotechnical textiles. The Institute develops preforming technologies and composite structures for applications ranging from carbon concrete in the construction industry to fiber-based implants and structures for tissue engineering. At the same time, the scientists are working on recycling solutions for high-performance textile materials, thereby strengthening sustainable material cycles.

Another focus is on AI-supported modeling and simulations. This involves analysing structures and processes along the textile value chain and optimizing them based on data. New fiber systems, hybrid yarns and 2D, 3D and programmable 4D reinforcement semi-finished products are created on this basis. At the same time, machine and system concepts are being developed that companies can integrate directly into industrial production environments.

The following topics, among others, will be presented at Techtextil 2026

• High-performance, functional and bio-based fibers
• Tailor-made carbon and glass fibers
• Woven 3D node elements and hybrid fabrics
• Near-net-shape 3D multilayer weft knitted fabrics
• Reinforcing structures based on braiding, weft knitting, multiaxial warp knitting and robotic technologies
• Carbon concrete composites
• Fiber-based medical products and tissue engineering
• AI-controlled sensor and actuator networks in technical textiles
• Multi-scale modeling and simulation of high-performance textile structures and manufacturing processes
• Recycling technologies for high-performance textile materials

In addition to research, the ITM will be providing information about study and qualification opportunities in the field of textile technology at TU Dresden. The "Processing Machinery and Textile Machinery Engineering" field of study in the Diploma course in Mechanical Engineering and the international Master's course in "Textile Machinery and High-Performance Textile Materials" will be presented.

Trade visitors to Techtextil 2026 will findfurther information on projects, collaborations and courses on offer in Hall 12.0, Stand D41.

Contact:

Dr. Paul Penzel
Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology
Tel. 0351 463 44044

http://tu-dresden.de/mw/itm