AITEX Innovation and Research Center drives multiple research avenues to deliver new solutions for the fashion and footwear sector, marrying sustainability with high performance.
More sustainable alternative leather solutions using fungi, bacteria, and plants
AITEX pursues value-adding advances in the textile industry by reusing agro-food and forestry wastes and leveraging resources drawn from nature. The initiative unfolds along two clear tracks:
- Biofabrication of leather-like materials from bacterial cellulose and feedstocks or wastes sourced from the surrounding environment.
- Extraction of new natural fibers from invasive plants to produce value-added textile materials.
In addition, the center develops new biomaterials from micelle fibers produced through fungal fermentation of selected wastes. These materials aim to deliver superior performance with a lower environmental impact compared with traditional petrochemical options.
Among the technologies offered by AITEX, 3D knitting stands out for its potential to transform fabric formation and performance.
Lamination of sustainable materials
AITEX investigates laminating textile substrates, biomaterials, foams, and similar components using sustainable adhesives. The facility supports a double panel lamination system capable of processing both flexible and rigid materials up to 15 cm thick. It is equipped to apply hot-melt adhesives in formats such as film, mesh, powder, or pellets. The work includes evaluating manufacturing processes for sustainable backed materials that use low-environmental-impact materials and adhesives.
New 3D knitting techniques for the footwear industry
Within its broad technology portfolio, 3D knitting is used to create functional, sustainable fabrics for footwear. The goal is to improve moisture management, thermal comfort, overall comfort, and durability while employing sustainable fibers and high-performance materials. The action lines guiding this effort include:
- Develop textiles for shoes cut from sustainable fibers that offer comfort, resilience, and aesthetics.
- Develop highly cut-resistant textiles for safety footwear used in demanding environments.
Beyond performance gains, this technology enables footwear fabrics to adapt to cutting shapes, potentially reducing waste and mold-related processing steps during production.
This publication acknowledges the DIFU+ID project for 2022, supported by the Plan of non-economic R&D activities under regional and national programs aimed at a sustainable economy and industrial innovation.
Address: Plaza Emili Sala, 1, 03801 Alcoi, Alicante
That location hosts ongoing research and demonstration activities, reinforcing regional leadership in materials science and textile technology.