Germany is set to strengthen its push for advanced, sustainable textile manufacturing with the launch of a new technology and development centre, Textile Factory 7.0, aimed at bringing cutting-edge research closer to industrial production.
The Institute of Technical Textiles (ITA) at RWTH Aachen University said on Monday it has received approval, alongside a broad group of partners, to establish the new facility in Mönchengladbach, a historic hub of the country’s textile industry. The centre, known as Textile Factory 7.0 or T7, is designed as a fully operational textile laboratory where research, development and industrial application will converge under one roof.
The project reflects growing efforts in Germany and across Europe to rebuild regional textile value chains, reduce dependence on long-distance supply networks and demonstrate that high-cost economies can still compete in textile and clothing production through innovation, automation and sustainability.
According to ITA, T7 will focus on advances in energy efficiency, artificial intelligence, robotics and biotechnology, integrating these technologies into textile processes ranging from fibre development to finished products. Researchers and industry partners will work side by side, testing new production concepts in real manufacturing conditions rather than isolated laboratory environments.
“Textile Factory 7.0 is intended to show how textile production in Europe can be efficient, flexible and sustainable,” ITA said, describing the centre as a platform for applied research that can be directly transferred into industrial practice.
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The initiative is expected to create new skilled jobs in the region while strengthening ongoing research projects that highlight the economic and environmental benefits of regional textile production. Mönchengladbach and the wider Lower Rhine region were once at the heart of Germany’s textile and clothing industry, much of which shifted to lower-cost countries over recent decades.
The new centre brings together a wide network of institutions and industry bodies. Alongside ITA, partners include the Research Institute for Textiles and Clothing at Hochschule Niederrhein, the Association of the Northwest German Textile and Clothing Industry, the Association of the Rhineland Textile and Clothing Industry, the Textile Academy NRW, and WFMG, Mönchengladbach’s economic development agency.
Local officials say the project underlines the region’s ambition to reposition itself as a centre for high-tech, sustainable textile innovation rather than mass production. “With Textile Factory 7.0, Mönchengladbach is strengthening its role as a future-oriented textile location,” WFMG said in a statement.
A central theme of the project is the use of digitalisation and automation to enable flexible, small-batch and on-demand manufacturing. Rising labour costs, volatile global logistics and growing pressure to reduce waste have led brands and manufacturers to explore production models that are closer to end markets and more responsive to consumer demand.
To showcase this approach, T7 will host its first event on March 19, focusing on four core themes: on-demand manufacturing, microfactory engineering, digital textiles and biosphere-related innovations. The event will be held in German and is aimed at companies, researchers and policymakers interested in next-generation textile production.
On-demand manufacturing and microfactory concepts are seen as key tools for reducing overproduction, a persistent problem in the global fashion industry. By producing only what is needed, when it is needed, manufacturers can cut inventory risks and lower environmental impacts, while digital textiles and data-driven processes can improve traceability and efficiency across the value chain.
Biotechnology is another pillar of the project, with research expected to explore bio-based fibres, enzymatic processes and circular solutions that reduce reliance on fossil-based materials and harmful chemicals. Combined with energy-efficient machinery and AI-driven process control, these technologies could significantly lower the carbon footprint of textile production, researchers say.
The Textile Factory 7.0 project is being funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), underscoring the federal government’s support for applied industrial research as part of its broader innovation and climate strategies.
Germany has been increasing investment in research-driven manufacturing initiatives as it seeks to maintain industrial competitiveness while meeting ambitious climate targets. Textiles, long viewed as a mature and cost-driven sector, are increasingly being redefined as a field where advanced materials, automation and sustainability intersect.
Industry representatives involved in the project say the close collaboration between research institutions and companies will be critical to its success. “Innovation only has an impact when it can be implemented in practice,” one industry association representative said, adding that T7 offers a unique environment to test new ideas under real production conditions.
As global fashion brands face tighter environmental regulation, supply chain scrutiny and consumer pressure for transparency, projects such as Textile Factory 7.0 are likely to draw attention beyond Germany. Researchers hope the centre will serve as a model for how regional textile production can be reimagined in high-income economies.
Construction and detailed planning for the facility are expected to move forward following the approval, with ITA indicating that further industry partnerships and research programmes will be announced in the coming months.
