Textile ETP at Science Park of Borås
On 21 October 2024, Textile ETP Project Manager Judith had the opportunity to visit the Technical Park of Borås in Sweden, a proud member of the SmartX Innovation Hub.
Accompanied by Amelie Olesen, an Innovation Engineer, and Anna Berglund, a Project Coordinator at Science Park Borås she explored their Smart Textiles showroom, where she discovered projects that are not only transforming the textile industry, but increasing the possibilities for e-textiles and medical wearables, highlighting how textiles are evolving into advanced tools with significant health applications.
A particularly impressive development Judith came across was a device for dysplasia, which has already been commercialised. This innovation demonstrates how advanced textiles can have a tangible impact, especially in healthcare and technical applications. She also had the chance to see and try airbag jeans - an EU-funded safety product that received support from the SmartX Europe project. It's exciting to witness how SMEs are successfully marketing such innovations and emerging as strong players in the textile industry. These and other products will be featured in an upcoming podcast, offering further insights into success stories within the SmartX community.
The visit also included a stop at the Due Tank, where small-scale machinery bridges the gap between research and commercialisation. Companies benefit from collaborations with research centres to develop new products in an innovative and practical setting. A great example is Luna Micro, a company that recently shared its work with the SmartX community, illustrating the power of partnerships between SMEs and research institutions.
An engaging discussion emerged around the role of AI and its transformative potential for the textile sector. AI is expected to have a significant impact, particularly in the development of high-performance textiles, fabrics, and e-textiles, driving advancements in data modelling and predictive technologies. The fashion industry also stands to gain from AI innovations, with promising new possibilities for design, production, and sustainability.
Another highlight of the visit was a conversation with Susanne Nejderås the Textile Strategist at Science Park Borås, in which they explored the effects of new legislation on the textile industry. She also touched on the Swedish government's efforts to support the sector, particularly in fostering innovation and sustainability.
The day concluded with a visit to the Textile Museum, located in the Textile Fashion Centre, where Judith met with Lena-Marie Vikingsdotter Jensen the Project Manager at Smart Textiles and Science Park Borås and they discussed emerging business models in the textile industry. Inside the museum, Judith observed the evolution of textile machinery, which has enabled the production of today’s technical textiles. The combination of historical context and forward-looking innovation highlighted the vast potential of the textile industry, with Sweden playing a leading role in these advancements.
They also discussed the importance of sustainability in the textile industry, highlighting impactful projects centred on Swedish wool, which stands out for its variety and potential. Sweden's diverse sheep breeds provide different types of wool suited to various applications, offering the added benefit of locally sourced materials within Europe. Another innovation that caught Judith's eye was a yarn made from paper, designed for interior applications. These eco-friendly materials offer a unique and creative solution for sustainable interior textiles, showcasing the potential for greener design.
The day after, the SmartX Innovation Hub hosted an online webinar live from Science Park Borås and the Smart Textiles innovation environment, where Judith Bosch led the event and , Nils-Krister Persson, PhD at the University of Borås introduced four prototypes.
We thank the Technical Park of Borås for this exclusive visit and for opening our eyes to further textile innovations.
