Tailorlux GmbH, an innovative company from Münster, has received ZIM funding for the “KIMaTex” research project together with SKZ - Das Kunststoff-Zentrum. The aim of the project is to develop a mobile and location-independent analysis tool that combines spectroscopic technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and smartphones into a powerful system.
The textile industry is facing major challenges: Every year, over 121 million tons of textile fibres are produced in the EU, but due to the complex material compositions, recycling has hardly been economically feasible to date. This is precisely where KIMaTex comes in. With the help of VIS/NIR spectroscopy and a smartphone camera, chemical compositions and surface structures of textiles are to be analyzed in real time. The additional integration of AI enables precise and user-friendly material analysis that can be used without extensive specialist knowledge.
Innovations and benefits
The KIMaTex system is the first to combine different technologies in one handy device:
- Two spectrometers (VIS and NIR) for non-destructive chemical analysis.
- A smartphone camera for detecting surface features such as soiling and mesh widths.
- AI-supported data processing for precise, immediate results.
The system will offer “drop-in AI” via a cloud platform, allowing users to use specific AI models for individual questions. The project thus makes a significant contribution to closing information gaps in the textile value chain and achieving the goals of the circular economy.
Sustainability and market perspective
The development of the KIMaTex system is a significant step towards sustainable textile production and recycling. Companies can use the system to sort textile waste more precisely and thus increase the recycling rate. The device can be used not only in the textile sector, but also in other industries such as the plastics and rubber industries.
Pioneering partnership
“We are delighted to be working on this visionary project together with the SKZ. Our aim is to create a user-friendly, cost-efficient and sustainable system that can be used along the entire textile value chain,” says Tobias Herzog, Managing Director of Tailorlux GmbH.
The project should be completed by 2027 and bring a device to the market that delivers high-quality results while remaining affordable.
The textile industry is facing major challenges: Every year, over 121 million tons of textile fibres are produced in the EU, but due to the complex material compositions, recycling has hardly been economically feasible to date. This is precisely where KIMaTex comes in. With the help of VIS/NIR spectroscopy and a smartphone camera, chemical compositions and surface structures of textiles are to be analyzed in real time. The additional integration of AI enables precise and user-friendly material analysis that can be used without extensive specialist knowledge.
Innovations and benefits
The KIMaTex system is the first to combine different technologies in one handy device:
- Two spectrometers (VIS and NIR) for non-destructive chemical analysis.
- A smartphone camera for detecting surface features such as soiling and mesh widths.
- AI-supported data processing for precise, immediate results.
The system will offer “drop-in AI” via a cloud platform, allowing users to use specific AI models for individual questions. The project thus makes a significant contribution to closing information gaps in the textile value chain and achieving the goals of the circular economy.
Sustainability and market perspective
The development of the KIMaTex system is a significant step towards sustainable textile production and recycling. Companies can use the system to sort textile waste more precisely and thus increase the recycling rate. The device can be used not only in the textile sector, but also in other industries such as the plastics and rubber industries.
Pioneering partnership
“We are delighted to be working on this visionary project together with the SKZ. Our aim is to create a user-friendly, cost-efficient and sustainable system that can be used along the entire textile value chain,” says Tobias Herzog, Managing Director of Tailorlux GmbH.
The project should be completed by 2027 and bring a device to the market that delivers high-quality results while remaining affordable.
