The VDMA Textile Machinery Association organised a press conference on sustainability at Techtextil, which was addressed by representatives from Trützschler, August Herzog Maschinenfabrik and Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Segment.
“The discussion topics ranged from sustainability as corporate culture to making textile machines enablers for recovering energy,” a VDMA press release said.
Dirk Burger, CEO at Trützschler stated that his company makes a distinction between resource optimisation and environmental protection.
In the context of resource optimisation, Trützschler addresses matters such as lower energy consumption, optimised use of raw materials, low maintenance costs and investment protection.
“All these points combine and optimise total cost of ownership for the customer, which makes them extremely important selling points,” Burger said.
Examples from Trützschler include energy measuring devices that display energy consumption, and sensors for minimising waste in the machines.
“We are literally fighting for each fibre, to ensure that the causes of added value and sustainability are advanced continuously,” he added.
Janpeter Horn, MD at August Herzog Maschinenfabrik showed how braiding technology is making contribution to energy recovery.
Horn explained that offshore extraction of oil and gas is a field of activity not just for oil companies but also for August Herzog.
“In the work on open seas, conventional steel cables are being replaced increasingly with lightweight, synthetic fibre ropes that float on the water,” Horn said.
According to him, these braids are endowed with significantly better properties and can be used at much greater depths than steel, for lifting loads, lowering parts, or mooring rigs and ships.
“Every kilogram of weight that can be saved with these much lighter textile ropes in the transportation process means that they can support correspondingly heavier loads,” he observed.
“Wherever load bearing structural components made from carbon fibres are fitted, in aircraft, cars or bicycles, technology from Herzog is in demand,” he noted.
André Wissenberg, vice president Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Segment explained that sustainability has always been playing a significant role in the company’s strategy.
“The e-save program started in 2004 covers economy, ecology and social activities, efforts which address customers as well as our employees,” Wissenberg also said.
“Our latest Wings technology reduces the average energy consumption per ton of POY by 40 per cent and of FDY by as much as 55 per cent when compared to machines produced in the mid-1990s,” he too added.
According to Wissenberg, they haveimposed strict energy management regulations, which must ensure that energy consumption is reduced by 1.5 per cent each year.
