From 4 to 6 March 2025, the ATL members Cetex, the Institute for Structural Lightweight Construction at the Chemnitz University of Technology, the STFI and the Fraunhofer IWU will be presenting themselves together with the industry partner Schmietex at the JEC World in Paris. At the joint Saxon booth (Hall 5, Booth D 97), we will present innovative solutions, among others, in the fields of multifunctional textile lightweight construction and textile recycling. The focus is on practical industry collaborations that support sustainable and resource-efficient manufacturing processes.
The following highlights await our visitors:
Cetex Institute
High EM shielding attenuation with fibre composite plastic materials
The electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of electrical systems is less and less guaranteed with conventional interference suppression materials for a wide range of future technologies. The mechanical properties are not only determined by the choice of the textile reinforcement form. A suitable material can be created according to the existing requirements by a targeted configuration of the reinforcement fibre portion and the reinforcement fibre type (e.g. glass fibre or carbon fibre).
In standardised tests, the material developed jointly by Cetex Institut gGmbH and IMG Electronic Power Systems GmbH, which is based on a hybrid fleece made of carbon and polymer fibres, achieved excellent EMC material measurement values of almost 100 dB shielding attenuation. Combined with the good mechanical properties of the material, the user gets a lighter and stronger housing than, for example, a metal housing. In addition, additives can be mixed in to ensure long-term conductivity of the plastic.
Thus, the new FKV material offers high potential in the fields of automotive (e-mobility), electronics, EMC, communication and aviation technology.
Chemnitz University of Technology, Institute for Lightweight Structures
Bio-based structural components: innovation in aviation
A newly developed cabin door for an ultralight helicopter will be presented, which is manufactured using a hybrid, bio-based composite construction made of flax and carbon fibres and has been successfully tested in flight. With a biomass content of 41%, the component achieves mechanical properties comparable to those of a carbon fibre-reinforced reference component. At the same time, the bio-based materials reduce CO2 emissions in the manufacturing process by 68% (cradle-to-gate, GWP100). This project impressively demonstrates how ecological sustainability and high technical requirements can be combined.
‘Green’ carbon fibres: Carbon LabFactory Saxony
The Carbon LabFactory Saxony, a new research facility, is currently being set up by the Chemnitz University of Technology in Boxberg, Upper Lusatia. The aim is to research and implement the entire value chain on a pilot scale, starting from the molecule to carbon fibre and textile semi-finished products to high-performance components.
The focus is on carbon fibre-based lightweight construction – a key technology for climate protection. In order to be able to use carbon fibres in a more diverse range of applications in the future and thus take advantage of their excellent specific mechanical properties, current research activities are concentrating on reducing manufacturing costs, reducing the CO2 footprint and optimising the properties of the fibres to meet specific requirements. The Carbon LabFactory Saxony is not only intended to serve as a research and development platform, but also to promote the founding of companies and, in cooperation with industry, to advance the climate-friendly transition in Europe towards a self-sustaining bio-economy based on future-oriented lightweight construction technologies.
Saxon Textile Research Institute (STFI)
STFI is presenting highly oriented semi-finished products and organic sheets made of recycled carbon fibres for aviation. These semi-finished products currently represent the limit in the rCF sector. Furthermore, the members of the MC4 consortium, in which STFI is working with European partners to optimise recycling solutions for glass and carbon fibre composites, will be presenting their results at their own stand in Hall 6, D114-01. With the newly installed wet-laid nonwovens line, the institute in Saxony also offers a nonwoven technology that will be of interest in the future for the reuse of short carbon fibres.
Schmietex Engineering GmbH
Schmietex has been supplying its customers in the textile composite materials sector with stitch-bonding machines and customised systems for 30 years.
Since acquiring the traditional production of Spitzkopf slide valves and needle frames in Chemnitz, Schmietex has been able to supply its customers with all the necessary spare parts as well as new developments of knitting elements for the well-known MALIMO machine segment.
We look forward to your visit!