News

04. January 2012

Mobile textiles with great economic potential

The enormous variety of different ways of using mobile textiles in vehicle manufacturing provides huge economic potential. If the proportion of textiles in a medium-sized car still only accounts for 25 kilograms at the moment, this figure will increase to 30-35 kilograms in just a few years. Proportionately, 50-60 percent will be nonwoven fabrics and felts, while 40-50 percent will be other textile fabrics. The use of natural fibres or fibre mixtures in car manufacturing will also continue to grow.


In Germany the proportion of mobile textiles in the total market for technical textiles accounts for the largest sub-segment: approx. 22%. Mobile textiles are used for filters for air and fuels, vehicle awnings, airbag cushions, seat belts, composites for structural components, moulded parts for interiors, interior decoration for moulded parts, seat or protective covers, moulded parts for seats, car floor coverings, drive belts and hoses. Climate control can be made more efficient by using spacer textiles, particularly in vehicle interiors. New, recyclable composite materials can be used to provide improved sound insulation – and they are made of nonwoven materials, flocked surfaces or membranes. Generally, the current trend with mobile textiles is moving in the direction of safety and functionality. Vehicles need to become safer and safer and at the same time provide innovative functions – e.g. using smart textiles (conductive textiles). About 70 percent of all technical innovations depend on the material properties – i.e. the need for new materials is spurring on research and development.

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The 2012 “mtex” – the International Trade Fair & Symposium for Textiles and Composites in Transportation – which will be held in Chemnitz on 8 - 10 May 2012, underlines the growing importance and opportunities for using textile (composite) materials in every division of vehicle manufacturing. The applications on display range from developments for vehicle interiors to vehicle components made of composites. The three-day, user-oriented “mtex” symposium will reflect the latest research findings and will be dominated by the following subject areas: new materials and material combinations, and design and production processes for textiles and composites in vehicle manufacturing. The 2012 “mtex” is being held alongside the 2012 LiMA Lightweight Design Trade Fair for the very first time.

www.mtex-chemnitz.de