AITEX has recently begun work on new research lines that provide high added-value solutions and tools to enhance the competitiveness of companies. These R&D projects have been designed to generate knowledge and transfer it to manufacturers in different sectors of application such as textile and fashion, habitat, health and sport, automotive, construction, cosmetics, etc.

We are encouraging all interested companies to take part in these lines of research, as they may lead to business opportunities that improve a company’s market position.

The R+D Department’s core goal is to support companies in the applied research of new materials to develop innovative products with differentiating technical and economic values, and to generate growth opportunities through the diversification or specialisation of their lines of business.

AITEX works to provide solutions to the current and future needs of companies through the R&D of new materials, obtaining new high performance properties such as greater lightness and improved mechanical performance, while providing an increase in added value through functional solutions.

SPINNING, TEXTURING and WEAVING PROCESSES

BREATH – Research into improving the breathability and waterproofing capabilities of fabrics and their application in different sectors.

THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER CHEMISTRY (REACTIVE EXTRUSION)

PLABITEX II – R&D into improving the mechanical and thermal properties of bio-based polymers and their application in textile structures.

COMPOSITE MATERIALS (CARBON)

REGENERA II – Reuse of carbon fibres in the creation of textile products for the manufacture of thermoplastic composites.

HONEYTEX 2022 – Prototyping and validation of the new generation of honeycombs on a semi-industrial scale

The core goal of the Department is to research and develop new processes and technologies that reduce the consumption of resources (mainly materials, energy, water and chemicals), significantly reducing environmental impact.

The different lines of work with companies focus on new materials, products and processes that are more environmentally friendly and facilitate the transition to a circular economy. AITEX works in many areas, providing companies with much more sustainable solutions.

GREEN CHEMISTRY

BIOMELT 2022 – Sustainability applied to continuous lamination processes

CHEMICAL RECYCLING

CHEMUP II – Chemical recycling of textile waste (Polyester and Cotton) using solvolysis.

BIOMATERIALS

COLOUR CARPET 2022 – Development of high added value and low environmental impact solutions for the carpet sector.

PHB@TEX – Obtaining textiles from biopolymers (PHB)

ECO-PROCESSES

TINABLE – R&D of the sustainable textile dyeing and finishing process

The core goal of the Department is to support companies in the technological challenge of digitalisation and the development of much more efficient production processes.

AITEX is aware of the vast array of advantages offered by research and development in this field, and focuses some of its research on the collection and management of data (big data), the development of smart functional products, and the digitalisation of industrial processes, analysing in each case the technical, industrial and economic viability of the proposed solutions, as well as the new business models that may arise from the application of these added-value solutions.

INDUSTRY 4.0 AND DIGITALISATION

DIGIVAL – Digitalisation in the textile industry in the Valencian Region

SMART TEXTILES AND SENSORISATION

STRETCH – Research and development of stretchable electronic solutions on textile substrates

The core goal of the Department is to offer companies tailor-made solutions for each of the application sectors in which they operate, in accordance with the regulations and technical specifications in each market, and to generate new opportunities and lines of diversification through the development of new, added-value products for emerging markets.

COSMETICS

CELLCARE II – R&D of cell cultures for the study of biocompatibility and efficacy of active ingredients.

INNATUR – R&D on extraction and stabilisation of natural ingredients for use in cosmetic formulations

HEALTH AND BIOMEDICINE

NANOAPPLY – R&D of nanofibre veils for medical and hygiene applications

FASHION AND APPAREL

TEX4FOOT 2022 – New 3D knitting techniques for the development of technical and sustainable fabrics applicable to the footwear industry

HOME AND LEISURE TEXTILES

VALHABITAT 2022 – Researching qualitative and quantitative trends fostering strategic design in home textile companies

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND WORKWEAR

WORKIN – Research and development of textiles for improved performance and safety in work environments

CONSTRUCTION, CIVIL ENGINEERING AND AGROTEXTILES

DYNAMICOMP 2022 – Research and development of functional and recyclable composites for the construction sector.

All these projects ara funded by the Conselleria d’Economia Sostenible, Sectors Productius, Comerç i Treball de la Generalitat Valenciana, through IVACE  (IMAMCA/2022/6).