News
Technical Validation at Reutlingen University
As part of the STREP project’s Work Package 2 (WP2), our partners at Reutlingen University (RTU), led by the expertise of Sarah Frank and Katerina Rose, are deep in the laboratory phase of textile characterization.
The goal
To establish a definitive “Standard Overview” for textiles, ensuring that recycled materials meet the same high-performance benchmarks as virgin fibers.
This stage is critical for the circular economy, as it provides the data needed to prove that “recycled” doesn’t mean “compromised.”
The core tests: Measuring durability and consistency
The RTU team is currently focusing on three fundamental parameters that define how a fabric feels, wears, and lasts:
1. Fabric thickness (EN ISO 5094):
Using high-precision reference plates and specified pressure, the team measures the perpendicular distance between the fabric surfaces. This ensures consistency in material production. Together with the construction of the fabric and the weight, it tells a lot about the drapability and fiber content.
2. Fabric mass/weight (EN 12127)
By determining the mass per unit area under controlled climates (ISO 139), we verify the material’s consistency. This is a fundamental quality characteristic that dictates everything from garment drape to thermal properties.
3. Pilling resistance (EN ISO 12945-2)
Using the Martindale abrasion method, fabrics are subjected to 5,000 abrasion cycles. By observing surface changes like fuzzing and pilling, Sarah and Katerina can support conclusions regarding the quality of fibers after they have undergone the recycling process.
Why this matters
By testing these parameters, alongside tensile and tear strength, we aren’t just measuring fabric; we are building a “Standard Overview” that will act as a blueprint for the industry.
Ensuring that a seam is strong enough to last, but engineered to be recyclable, is the kind of granular detail that makes the STREP project a pioneer in textile sustainability.