Projects
Eco-efficient hybrid coatings
The advent of globalisation has urged the European textile industries to implement new technologies to maintain the cost-effectiveness of the sector. One such development is the application of of thin silane finishes on textiles, a development that has been introduced during the last decade. The extraordinary properties of these (functionalised) finishes include a.o. enhanced abrasion resistance and omniphobicity.
PLA II
optimisation of the formulation, the extrusion process and subsequent processing steps
Centexbel desires to expand the knowledge on the processability of PLA in textile processes.
In the second project we evaluate the polymer formulas with a favourable effect on the mechanical properties and we will examine the processing of PLA in final applications and the impact of process variations on the polymer formulation. PLA is a polyester and hence sensible for moisture that can influence the final product and prematurely affect the mechanical properties. Therefore the PLA Hydrolysis is a crucial element in the study.
Carbon nanotubes II
The research project’s aim is twofold: on the one hand, the acquisition of further knowledge is needed to apply the exceptional properties of CNTs in the best way; on the other hand, there is a growing need of highly and durably conductive textiles that are easy to process.
The applications of CNTs within the scope of this project are mainly situated in the field of conductivity. The level of conductivity depends on the application method (extrusion, coating, textile finishing) and the desired end product.
FAFEX: Inline fibre finishing at fibre extrusion
The objective of the FAFEX project is to integrate the finishing step in an earlier process phase, and more in particular during the yarn extrusion phase by applying an aqueous polymer solution onto the filament's surface during melt spinning.
CleanCloth: Antibacterial Cloth Based on Microfibre
In the CleanCloth project, we propose to develop a superior cleaning cloth with constant and continuous antibacterial effect, ensuring that no bacteria is left in the cloth and making bacterial re-growth impossible, without need for special and time-consuming hygiene procedures. This will be accomplished by a unique technology with antibacterial agent integrated into the microfiber of the cloth. The advances in this technology will allow significant reduction of cross-contamination and bacterial regrowth. Infectious diseases arising in the home setting are a significant concern.
Functionalising UV-coatings for textile applications
The world economy has undergone a dramatic change during the last ten years. The rapid growth of new economies, such as China, has also had a strong impact on the textile market. The fierce competition from low wage countries forces Belgian companies into making strategic choices to preserve their trade volume and growth.
These choices are mainly directed at efficiency and innovation of the production process.
Thermophysiological comfort
The comfort of a garment is a very important characteristic since it has an impact on the performances of the people wearing it. Therefore, it is essential for the clothing manufacturer to be able assess his products very accurately. The more comfort a garment is offering, the higher its added value will be. Conversely, an erroneous comfort assessment may disadvantage a producer by the degradation of his product to a lower class.
Resistance against the penetration of bacteria
In order that the market can grow to the profit of the local industry, good (and therefore reproducible) standards are needed to evaluate medical textiles, and more in particular textiles used in operating theatres subject to European regulations. Textiles used in operation theatres are considered as medical devices and must therefore meet certain requirements (EN 13795) in the framework of CE labelling.
Garinsul: Multifunctional protective clothing
Personal safety is becoming an increasingly important issue. The risk of electrocution and the risk of explosion in a possibly explosive atmosphere must be reduced to a minimum.
Fibre-reinforced thermoplastics
Fibre-reinforced plastics or composites are applied in an increasing number of products all over the world.
Novel Temperature Regulating Fibres and Garments
NoTeReFiGa aims at developing novel temperature regulating fibres and innovative textile products for thermal management, selected by the SME segment of the European textile industry. The temperature regulating effect will be realised by incorporating large amounts of phase changing materials (PCM) into textile fibres.
WOODY
Currently the world of polymeric composite materials is exclusively based on fossil derived components. This fact represents a strong issue, as the non-renewable global oil resources are being exploited year after year, also as a consequence of the ever growing demand for plastics engineering materials. As a concrete answer to the increasing volumes of building and construction materials processed and transformed by industry in almost all sectors, renewable resources need to be exploited in order to reduce the depletion of oil reservoirs, and the associated ecological issues deriving, provided they can grant quality standards comparable with the currently available materials.
Dephotex: flexible photovoltaic texiles
The goal of the project is to research and develop photovoltaic cells in order to get flexible photovoltaic textiles based on novel fibres, which will allow converting solar radiation into energy.
Functionalised hotmelts for textile applications
Hotmelts are 100% polymer systems applied onto a a substrate during the melt stage and offering the following advantages:
- energy savings
- reduced emissions
- less waste
Bioagrotex
The basic objective of the project is to develop new high end textile products, based for 100% on natural fibres and bio-based or biopolymers. The development of such products perfectly fits with the European objectives to fulfil the Kyoto protocol and to reduce the emission of “Green House Gases” by 2020 with at least 20 %, thanks to the reduced use of non renewable materials resources based on fossil fuels.
Open Garments
Open Garments is an initiative of a consortium consisting of five research organisations (Centexbel amongst others), five technology providers and five industrial partners, from nine European countries.
Dimetex: DIspositifs MEdicaux TEXtiles
DIMETEX is part of an Interreg IV cross-border cooperation programme for the textile industry and regroups players from the Walloon Region of Belgium as well the Nord-Pas de Calais and Picardy Regions of France.
The medical segment is one of the main segments to demonstrate many assets and a strong power of attraction for producers of technical textiles.
Three areas of study have been identified in an effort to represent the major opportunities for the development of SMEs within the region.
MEDIATIC: Textiles with a variety of integrated sensors
Textiles with a variety of integrated sensors for comfort assessment, remote heath monitoring, and home healthcare
Monsotex: Sleep monitoring through smart textiles
3 to 4% of the population suffers from sleep disorders, often causing severe health problems.
The MONSOTEX projects aims at developing a system for (remote) sleep monitoring, based on the use of smart textiles with several embedded psychometric sensors (electro-cardiogram, respiration, temperature...).
Textiles & in-door air quality
Pre-standard research project to develop test methods to assess the effect of textile products on the presence of volatile components in the ambient air.
A method based on thermal liberation is proposed. This is a quick method to screen all sorts of textiles.
Polylactic acids (PLA) in textile applications
PLA (polylactic acid) is generally considered to be an important biopolymer for textile production. Since a few years, the polymer is available on the market and its applicability has already been proved in a number of processes and final applications. Yet, its breakthrough is slower than expected.
Hydrotex: thermal comfort of textiles
Hydrogels are capable of absorbing and releasing water. For decades they are used to create a optimal water behaviour in bandages and hygienic materials...
Recent research has recently disclosed the chemistry and properties of hydrogels that are actually completely controllable.
Biopolymers - BIOTEXT - II
Bio-based polymers are becoming increasingly interesting, because of the rising oil prices, decreasing oil supplies, the harmful impact of greenhouse gases. The application of renewable resources in the production of polymers goes hand in hand with the growing use of alternative raw materials.
Retermat: PCM integrated interior coverings
By the development of PCM-integrated interior coverings for thermal regulation of buildings, this research projects aims at solving one of the major problems in residential and office buildings related to excessive heat during summer, leading to an increasingly frequent use of electrical air-conditioning systems and energy-related costs.
Nano-silver for sustainable antimicrobial textiles
Since time immemorial, silver has been used to cure a whole series of illnesses, and especially infections. Already in ancient Greece and Rome and in the Middle Ages it was used to disinfect water and food supplies as well as to cure burns and gaping wounds.
CO2-Flex: thermoplastic composite structures
Hollow thermoplastic composite structures with a flexible and geometrically complex pre-form
SWEET - Stretchable and Wearable Electronics for Embedding in Textiles
In the present era of “ambient intelligence”, men, women and children are dragging along pockets / handbags full of all kinds of electronic gadgets.
Innotex
The main objective of the INNOTEX project consists in developing and disseminating a productivity enhancement tool box for the textile industry. It aims at supporting process improvement primarily in ISO certified European textile SMEs, where continuous process innovation will lead to both productivity gains and quality increase of the final textile products.
Polytect - Polyfunctional technical textiles against natural hazards
This 4-year, integrated project for SME's aims at developing new multifunctional textile structures to be applied in construction works for the (retro)fitting of masonry structures (e.g. buildings) and earthworks (e.g. dikes).
