Network DIGI4TT - Digital printing as a new finishing technology for textiles

Bayern Innovativ managed the competence network "DIGI4TT - Digital Printing for Functionalization of Technical Textiles" with 18 partners from industry and science. Funding from the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology under the ZIM program expired at the end of October 2018. The network will be continued as an industry-funded Network "Functional Digital Printing" focusing not only on textiles but also on the application areas paper and film.

The DIGI4TT network addressed digital printing as a new surface technology for finishing and coating textile materials. The finishing and coating of textile materials plays a major role in the textile value chain. This is because it is only through the so-called "finishing" that the products obtain their final properties and functionalities. As a rule, wet-chemical processes designed for large quantities, such as padder and dipping processes, are used for this purpose. The requirements regarding individualization, Sustainability , multifunctionality and Industry 4.0 , however, these processes do not do justice. Therefore, flexible systems are increasingly coming into focus. These include minimal application techniques such as spray processes and foam application - and not least functional digital printing. Here, the application potential of functional digital printing ranges from finishing with oleophobic, hydrophobic, conductive or abrasion-resistant properties to the application of three-dimensional structures on textile materials and the production of textile structures in 3D printing processes .

Growth market textile digital printing

Textile digital printing has already recorded high growth rates in recent years - in 2016, the global market volume was 1.17 billion euros. According to a study by Smithers Pira, this is expected to more than double by 2021 - to 2.42 billion euros. Behind this growth is primarily the trend toward individualized mass production in the apparel industry and the trend toward local and demand-driven production in combination with innovative online business models. Experts expect new production capacities to be set up not only in Asia, but also in Europe. This development will also be driven by the growth field of functional printing. Technological advances are expected above all in print head technology and new developments in chemistry and ink solutions - especially in order to be able to realize textiles with innovative functions by means of digital printing.

As the network management organization, Bayern Innovativ GmbH supported the network partners, among other things. among other things, in the creation of technological roadmaps , the structuring of project ideas, and in the acquisition of further suitable cooperation partners for the formation of partner consortia and for the implementation of the R & D projects.

Do you also want to use the market opportunities of digital printing and are looking for an interdisciplinary exchange for the implementation of creative and innovative ideas? Then contact us and become a partner of the industry-funded network "Functional Digital Printing".