Project Summary
The SustDesignTex project was focused on the development of innovative and sustainable textile structures for application in composite materials. The project investigated advanced approaches for designing and manufacturing textile reinforcements for composites, integrating eco-design principles and circular economy concepts. During the project implementation, research activities were carried out to develop knowledge and technologies supporting the production of lightweight, high-performance composite structures with reduced environmental impact. The developed solutions addressed the growing demand for sustainable materials in industries such as aerospace, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones), automotive, and other advanced engineering sectors. Particular attention was given to the application of sustainable fibers and polymers, optimization of textile architectures and properties for composites used for drones and assessment of environmental performance throughout the product life cycle.
Project Objective
The main objective of the SustDesignTex project was to establish and strengthen a long-term strategic partnership between the Lodz University of Technology, advanced partner universities at the EU level, and an industrial partner working in the field of aviation through research networking activities. The project also aimed to increase research capacity, promote international knowledge exchange, and develop new solutions related to industrial design and life cycle assessment (LCA) of textile-based composite products, design and manufacturing of advanced textile structures for composite reinforcement, development of textile-based composite manufacturing technologies, and sustainable material solutions supporting the transition towards a circular economy. The project contributed to strengthening cooperation between higher education institutions and industry and supported the development of new competencies in sustainable textile and composite technologies.
Project Partners
The project was coordinated by Lodz University of Technology (Poland), and the project partners were:
University of Borås (Sweden), Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen University (Germany), University of Zaragoza (Spain), and Wademekum company (Poland).
Role of Lodz University of Technology in the Project
Lodz University of Technology acted as the project coordinator and was responsible for the overall scientific and organizational management of the project. The research activities were carried out at the Faculty of Textiles and Design, Institute of Architecture of Textiles. The university coordinated cooperation between project partners, supported knowledge exchange, and conducted research related to the design, development, and evaluation of innovative textile structures for composite materials. The project also strengthened the international position of Lodz University of Technology in the field of sustainable textile engineering and advanced composite materials.
Impact of the Project
The SustDesignTex project significantly strengthened scientific excellence, research capacity, and international collaboration by establishing durable research networks, generating new knowledge, and producing joint publications, grant proposals, and an international patent application. It enhanced innovation through improved technology transfer, stronger industry-academia cooperation, researcher and student mobility, and the development of a Joint Research & Innovation Roadmap. The project delivered sustainable bio-based textile and composite materials with various applications, while promoting circular economy solutions and reducing environmental impact. It also fostered interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers, designers, and scientists, increasing public awareness of sustainable materials and contributing to long-term scientific, economic, and societal development.
Project Funding
Funding programme: Horizon Europe – HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ACCESS-03/Twinning
Grant Agreement No.: 101079009
Total project value: 1,494,625.00 EUR
Amount allocated to Lodz University of Technology: 855,500.00 EUR