Functionalized fibers and fabrics are essential in the field of technical textiles used for aircrafts, cars, in construction industry, filter materials, or in medical products. Deutsches Textilforschungszentrum Nord-West gGmbH (DTNW) performs fundamental and applied research aiming at new and innovative technologies for future developments in technical and functional textiles. In this context, DTNW is a competent partner in the fields of functionality, finishing,ecology and testing. Our main research concerns the surface modification of fibrous materials by chemical and physical methods, such photochemistry, supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology. DTNW acts as mediator between basic research and industry through a close co-operation with companies along the whole textile chain, chemical industry, as well as manufacturers and users of products made from functional textiles. In addition, DTNW works in close contact with the Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Science and the University Duisburg-Essen, and is active in the education of a new generation of engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs.

In additon, DTNW Öffentliche Prüfstelle GmbH offers testing and survey services for industrial and private customers. Based on extensive expertise and knowledge, a comprehensive and highly up-to-date range of chemical and mechanical tests is performed according to German, European and international standards. In the context of Human Ecology the DTNW has the authorization of the International OEKO-TEX® Association to test and issue expert inspection reports according to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®. Our laboratory is certified to the Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS) according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 (registration number D-PL-18858-01-00).

DTNW gGmbH (Research and Development)

• Antimicrobial textiles and antifouling surfaces
• Cyclodextrin-based finishes and coatings
• Polyelectrolyte layers
• Conductive textiles (photovoltaics, flexibel heating elements)
• Alternative dyeing media (supercritical CO2, ionic liquids)
• Electrospinning
• Textile-fixed catalysts (enzymes, organocatalysts)
• Innovative adsorber textiles for recovery of valuable metals and environmental protection
• Inorganic-organic hybrid polymers
• Light-activated textiles (IR reflection, UV protection, self-cleaning surfaces, antibacterial action)
• Halogenfree and biobased flame retardants for textiles

DTNW Öffentliche Prüfstelle GmbH (Testing)

• Chemical and textile chemical analyses
• Mechanical-technological textile testing
• Human ecological pollutant analysis of textiles to German food and feed legislation (LFGB, Section 64)
• Compiling test reports for certification to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100
• Quality controls, acceptance inspection test certificates, expert opinions, including for court cases
• Advice on statutory provisions for the textile sector, e.g. Reach, SVHC, Section 64 of LFGB
• Accredited testing laboratory to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025
• Publicly appointed and sworn experts of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK)