AITEX has more than a hundred multidisciplinary researchers working in five research groups. Below is a summary of the research lines of each group, and we would encourage interested companies to join us in our work.

• Development of honeycomb composite materials to reduce the weight of armour
• Feasibility study into the use of portable biosensors integrated into textile solutions and their application in the defence sector (monitoring of the wearer’s biological parameters, such as blood glucose).
• Recycling and recovery of textile waste by pyrolysis techniques (thermal cracking in the absence of oxygen). This new line of work aims to break the polymeric chains of textile waste to enable:
  • The production of value-added chemical products
  • The production of energy storage carriers

• Circular economy applied to Smart textile waste
• Manufacture of wood-textile hybrid composites using glue-blender technology and compression moulding.
• Optimised production of HONEYTEX systems by ultrasonic bonding as an alternative to hot-melt adhesives.
• Sustainable functionalisation of textiles through DPI (dry powder impregnation) technology: antibacterial and/or antifungal properties, electro conductivity and FR, among others.
• Implementation of high-performance fibres in the development of textile solutions for use in work and safety footwear.
• Surface functionalisation of light-curing textiles by impregnation, coating and flexography: low water footprint and minimal use of chemicals.

• Suitability and validation of recycled polymers for melt spinning for applications in technical clothing, PPE, etc.
• Development of spun melt nonwovens from bio-based, rapidly degradable polymers for personal care and hygiene applications.
• Biopolymer melt spinning for various textile applications
• Reuse of recycled carbon fibre (rCF) in staple fibre spinning to manufacture nonwovens and thermoplastic composites for the manufacture of skis, and use in construction, automotive and other sectors.
• Continuous cellulose fibres using “dry-wet spinning” to transform cotton waste into a new cellulosic fibre. For use in the manufacture of clothing, sportswear or workwear.
• Complex textile flat and Jacquard woven structures with improved mechanical properties against abrasion and tearing, with enhanced elasticity and comfort. Applications in home textiles, clothing and outdoor fabrics.
• Sports and outdoor surfaces using tufting weaving, with advanced features and enhanced sustainable properties.
• Thermoplastic composites from openwork fabrics made from commingled hybrid yarns for automotive, construction and other technical applications.
• Modifying biopolymers with natural additives to create fibres that are easy to spin and weave.
• Chemical recycling of polyester textile waste to create new textile products from polyester with properties similar to virgin polymer.

• Efficacy studies to prove the benefits of new cosmetic products with new active ingredients.
• Formulation and stabilisation of active ingredients of natural origin to replace the agents responsible for microplastics.
• Extraction of active compounds of natural origin from organic and/or agri-food and plant waste.
• Study of the biosynthesis of ferments using enzymes and microorganisms to extract active compounds for cosmetics and nutricosmetics with improved properties.
• Formulation and stabilisation of sustainable and biodegradable detergent products and a study of dosing and packaging systems for re-fill products.
• Dyeing and printing with natural dyes from micro-organisms, plant extracts and agri-food waste.
• Sustainable technologies for textile dyeing and finishing, reducing the consumption of water and chemicals.
• Identification, measuring and elimination of microplastics and emerging contaminants
• Study of the use of living organisms to remove microplastics from effluents
• Technologies for the treatment, recovery and recycling of textile waste water

• Transfer of results: smart textile solutions using embroidery technology, strong and lightweight functional composites, and composites capable of measuring external stimuli in real time using elastic conductive yarn fibres.
• Development of electronic solutions printed on textile substrates: flexible printed batteries, flexion sensors to measure movement, integrated sensors and embedded electronics, using polyurethane encapsulation, additive 3D printing and flexible PCB developments.
• Development of smart textiles to improve an athlete’s performance, prevent injuries and improve recovery times using gamification and AI.
• Biochemical sensor monitoring of physiological parameters to improve well-being
• Research into the home textiles market
• Trend studies for habitat product development

AITEX focuses its efforts on offering customized solutions for multiple sectors. If you are interested in carrying out a research or innovation project, do not hesitate to contact AITEX and we will offer you all the help you need.