Research and Development

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Research and Development

Research and Development

The R&D department focuses on innovation in textiles and clothing. We follow the tradition of the Institute for Chemical Fibre Processing (ICFP) and specialise in research, development and testing of new materials and technologies, including quality verification and expert advice for the textile industry.

Main Activities Include

  • Research and development projects at a national and international level.

  • Verification of processability of textile materials.

  • Sampling of woven and knitted fabrics.

  • Development of new textile products and innovation of existing products.

  • Cooperation with national and foreign laboratories and ensuring testing of textile materials by standard and special methods.

Sampling of Textiles

We have equipment for sampling woven and knitted fabrics:

  • Woven fabrics: Our laboratory equipment includes a warping machine, a sizing unit and a sampling needle weaving loom with a sheet shed device, which enables the preparation of small samples of various designs from standard and special yarns. It is used to validate new materials and simulate production conditions. We are able to prepare a sample from as little as 1 spool.

  • Knitted fabrics: we use small-diameter, large-diameter and flat weft knitting machines for sampling, which allows flexible verification of new designs.

Research and Development Projects

SINTEX, a.s. is a recognized partner of Czech and foreign organizations engaged in research and development related to textile topics. We coordinate and participate in national and international research and development projects that contribute to the development of new textiles with higher added value. These projects expand the application possibilities of our products and open up new markets.

Key Projects

EU Programmes
We have successfully participated in projects within 6. and 7th Framework Programmes of the EU and Horizon (H2020).

International Cooperation
We participated in the EUREKA and CORNET programmes, which support international cooperation in research and development.

National Programmes
We have extensive experience with Czech R&D programmes such as IMPULS, TIP, TRIO and APLIKACE (MIT), as well as ALFA, EPSILON and TREND (TAČR).
Thanks to our projects we are able to develop new technological processes, improve the quality of our products and bring innovative textile products to the market.

Running Projects

Project Title
New generation of functionalized nanostructures in innovative technologies for air filtration, food media processing, biomedicine and cosmetics Subproject 2: Advanced nanofibrous structures for filtration of oils, beer and spirits
Project Reg. No.
CZ.01.01.01/07/23_013/0001301
Program
OP PIK, COOPERATION – CLUSTERS – CALL I. (01_23_013)
Provider
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Project Participants
Nanoprogress, SINTEX, VŠCHT Praha, BIONERGO – KOMPLEX Kolín
Project Duration
05/2023 – 04/2026
Project Objective
The aim of subproject 2 is to develop nanofibre technology for efficient and gentle filtration of vegetable oils, beer and spirits. The new solutions minimise pressure losses, preserve quality and increase the content of biologically active substances in the filtered products.
Project Title
Elimination of microplastics from the waste water from automatic washing machine
Project Reg. No.
FW10010030
Program
TREND – Technology Leaders
Provider
TAČR
Project Participants
SINTEX, TU Liberec
Project Duration
01/2024 – 06/2026
Project Objective
The aim of the project is to develop, verify and optimize filtration systems that enable efficient retention of microplastics from wastewater generated during textile washing. This will lead to the elimination of negative environmental impacts of microplastics directly at the source of pollution. The filtration system will consist of a microfibre filter installed directly at the outlet of the waste water from the automatic washing machines or a complex filtration system ready for installation outside the washing machine. In particular, optical and spectroscopic methods of testing the wastewater before and after filtration will be used to evaluate the performance of the developed systems.The project “Elimination of microplastics from wastewater of automatic washing machines” is co-financed with state support from the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic under the TREND Programme. This project was funded under the National Recovery Plan from the European Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The project “Elimination of microplastics from wastewater of automatic washing machines” is co-financed with state support from the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic under the TREND Programme. This project was funded under the National Recovery Plan from the European Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Project Title
Multifunctional textiles using the heat radiated from the human body
Project Reg. No.
FW12010015
Program
TREND – Technology Leaders
Provider
TAČR
Project Participants
SINTEX, INOTEX, TU Liberec
Project Duration
03/2025 – 12/2027
Project Objective
The aim of the project is to research and develop particle systems and lightweight, vapour-permeable textiles capable of efficiently reflecting infrared radiation emitted by the human body. The resulting textiles will promote an increase in skin temperature and provide the user with optimal thermal comfort. They will be an alternative to conventional sandwich insulation.
Project Title
Substitution of synthetic with biodegradable cellulose fibers in functional textiles
Project Reg. No.
LUE241018
Program
INTER-EXCELLENCE II – Sub-programme INTER-EUREKA – NETWORK PROJECT
Provider
Ministry of Education
Project Participants
SINTEX, VŠCHT Praha, HeiQ AeoniQ GmbH
Project Duration
03/2025 – 12/2027
Project Objective
The project focuses on the research and development of textiles prepared from a new class of Manmade Cellulosic Fibers (MMCF) with the aim of modifying their properties to suit advanced material applications and to compete with and replace synthetic fibers from fossil sources.
Project Title
Textile structures for high frequency sound absorption and electromagnetic radiation shielding
Project Reg. No.
CZ.01.01.01/07/24_046/0005322
Program
OP TAK Cooperation – CLUSTERS – CHALLENGE II.
Provider
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Project Participants
CLUTEX, TUL, SINTEX, FKT, DITF, TUM
Project Duration
07/2025 – 06/2027
Project Objective
The project focuses on the research and development of flexible textile-based panels with targeted absorption of high-frequency acoustic and electromagnetic noise. The resulting system will be acoustically efficient in the frequency range 10 kHz to 50 kHz with electromagnetic shielding in the range 150 MHz to 3.5 GHz.

Completed Projects During the Sustainability Period

Project Title
FILTER -EVAL-Verification of the efficiency of newly developed filters for food applications
Project Reg. No.
CZ.01.01.01/05/23_009/0004261
Program
OP TAK – Innovation Vouchers – Call II.
Provider
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Project Participants
SINTEX, TZÚ Brno
Project Duration
05/2024 – 01/2025
Project Objective
The aim of this project is to validate the efficiency and functionality of newly developed filters with a focus on the refinement of crude Non-GMO soybean oils using innovative nanotechnology.
Project Title
MAGSIL – Research and development of application possibilities of ceramic nanoparticles in textile practice
Project Reg. No.
CZ.01.01.01/05/23_009/0004448
Program
OP TAK – Innovation vouchers – Call II.
Provider
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Project Participants
SINTEX
Project Duration
06/2024 – 01/2025
Project Objective
The aim of the project is research and development of textile structures of different material composition coated with MgO or SiO2 and verification of their selected functional properties.
Project Title
MIKRO – Testing and certification of innovative textile structures for work and sportswear
Project Reg. No.
CZ.01.01.01/05/23_009/0004262
Program
OP TAK – Innovation Vouchers – Call II.
Provider
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Project Participants
SINTEX
Project Duration
04/2024 – 01/2025
Project Objective
The aim of the project is to develop special textiles with a defined amount of microplastic release during washing to meet the requirements for protective workwear or sports equipment.
Project Title
Hybrid lightweight low energy textile heating system, especially for clothing components
Project Reg. No.
CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/20_321/0024468
Program
OP PIK – APPLICATIONS – CALL VIII.
Provider
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Project Participants
SINTEX, ELITRONIC
Project Duration
04/2021 – 05/2023
Project Objective
The aim of the project was to research and develop a textile heating system for 1. and a 2nd layer of clothing. The principle of heating is to exploit the thermal conductivity of electrically conductive length materials incorporated into the fabric structure and conductive pastes applied by printing technologies. The heating is controlled by a sensor system with display, evaluation and control in a mobile application. The system is resistant to domestic wet maintenance.
Project Title
Textile structures combining virus protection and comfort
Project Reg. No.
CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/20_321/0024467
Program
OP PIK – APPLICATIONS – CALL VIII.
Provider
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Project Participants
SINTEX, TU Liberec, INOTEX, Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, v. v. i.
Project Duration
04/2021 – 05/2023
Project Objective
The aim of the project was to develop and validate antiviral functional materials embedded in textile sandwich structures for protective drapes and antiviral textiles effective mainly against coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
Project Title
Reusable smart incontinence underwear
Project Reg. No.
CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/21_374/0026712
Program
OP PIK – APPLICATIONS – CHALLENGE IX.
Provider
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Project Participants
SINTEX, Brno University of Technology, Nanopharma
Project Duration
09/2021 – 05/2023
Project Objective
The aim of the project was to design reusable smart underwear for people with mild to moderate incontinence, equipped with an optimized sorption layer and an electronic system monitoring urine leakage via a mobile app.
Project Title
New textile systems with optical fibres for biomedical applications
Project Reg. No.
CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/21_374/0027310
Program
OP PIK – APPLICATIONS – CHALLENGE IX.
Provider
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Project Participants
SINTEX, OptiCE Photonics
Project Duration
09/2024 – 05/2023
Project Objective
The aim of the project was to develop a biomedical mattress pad with optical fibres that allow monitoring of vital signs without the need for direct contact with the patient’s body. The mat must simultaneously meet the requirements for mechanical durability, chemical stability, electrical inertness and ease of maintenance.
Project Title
Surgical gowns with a higher degree of barrier protection
Project Reg. No.
CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/20_319/0024658
Program
Innovation vouchers COVID-19 – V. call
Provider
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Project Participants
SINTEX, TZÚ Brno
Project Duration
01/2021 – 12/2021

Completed Projects

DITEX
Spacer fabrics for ensuring thermo-physiological comfort
2014-2016
LIOS
Energy efficient line lighting systems
2015-2018
NANOPROGRESS II
Research and development application use of functionalized nanofiber structures including structures and intelligent coaxial nanofibers
2015-2018
RAPACOAT
3D raster-pattern coating of technical woven and knitted fabrics for stabbing and cutting protection
2015-2018
NANOPROGRESS III
Research and development application use of functionalized nanofiber structures including structures and intelligent coaxial nanofibers, Subproject No. 2 – Development of composite materials with integrated nanofiber layer and functionalized nanofiber structures for industrial applications
2015-2018
MUFTEX
Collective research – CLUTEX I. , Subproject: Multifunctional fabrics for special applications
2016-2018
BLENABIS
Blends of Natural and Biosynthethic fibres for eco-efficient yarns and carpet
2016-2018
ESTIM
Extreme shielding textile materials for special applications
2016-2019
HYBRID
Hybrid Safety Products
2016-2019
INTELUP
Intelligent upholstery of vehicles
2016-2020
IV FLEMECOM
FLAME-retardant and heat-retardant fabrics with improved COMfort
2017
HIVISCOM
HIgh-VISibility fabrics with improved COMfort
2017-2018
CONNECTION II
Support for staff training II
2017-2018
FIBFAB
Industrialization of bio-based textile fabrics for clothing applications
2017-2018
SPETEX
CLUTEX – collaborative R&D II, Subproject: Special materials to reduce safety risks
2017-2020
NANOPROGRESS IV
Research and development of specifically functionalized nanofibrous structures of wider application use, Subproject No. 2 – Research of Lightweight Textile Composite Materials with Integrated Nanofibrous Layer and Pure Nanofibrous Materials with Specific Functional Properties for Industrial Applications
2017-2020
SUS-ENCA Tex
Development of functional systems based on anchoring and gradual release and transfer of active components for new value-added textiles; formaldehyde-free TPP and additives for clean production technologies
2017-2020
MERITECH
Development of special knitted and ready-made products made of merino wool and their blends for technical and sport applications
2018-2020
NANOPROGRESS V 
Research and development of composite and purely nanofibrous structures for environmental, industrial and biomedical applications, Subproject 1 – Functionalised nanostructures for innovative environmental and food technologies, Subproject 2 – Linear composite textile formations containing nanofibres for medical applications and innovative nanostructures for technical and other applications
2018-2020
WEATHERTEX
Development of PP textiles with improved long-term durability for outdoor applications and technical clothing
2018-2020
MULTICOM
Special multifunctional textiles and clothing products with enhanced comfort
2019
OCEANETS
Technological approaches for circular economy solutions in terms of prevention, recover, re-use and recycle of fishing gears to obtain added-value products in the textile industry
2019-2020
NANOPROGRES VI
Innovation in the preparation and application of functionalized nanostructures in the fields of food, biomedicine, cosmetics and water decontamination technology , Subproject No. 2 – Research on the application of filtration membranes in the fields of water decontamination technology and food
2019-2021
RENTEX
Protective Multifunctional Products for Rental Use
2019-2021
3D KNIT
Novel upholstery materials based on 3D weft knitted fabrics
2019-2021
MUFCIRC
New solutions for multifunctional textiles for the transition to a circular economy
2019-2022
TED
Textile electronics for home care and professional use
2019-2022
NanoFM
Development of face masks with nanofibre membrane
2020
MEDTECH
Technology for the production of medical personal protective equipment
2020
CHEMTEX
Chemically resistant textile products with added properties
2020-2021
B-TEX
Barrier textiles and clothing products to protect against the elements
2020-2022
NANOPROGRESS VII
Research into advanced nanostructures for applications in the food industry and water purification. Subproject No. 3 – Research on nanostructure-based wound candle filter technology for pool water filtration
2020-2023
COMATEX
Development of special textile materials to reduce the risk of spreading viral infection
2021
RUTEX
Collective research – CLUTEX VI. , Subproject: Special fabrics for tactical and response gloves
2021-2023