The European Textile and Clothing industry (EURATEX) has decided to reinforce the role of technological innovation in the different textile and clothing pipelines by creating an international non-profit-making association named “European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing”, abbreviated to “Textile ETP” together with the European textile research and technology organisations (TEXTRANET) and the European textile universities (AUTEX).
Commenting on the setting-up of such association EURATEX President, Mr. Alberto Paccanelli, said “The decision by the three partners to provide a new set-up to the European Textile Technology Platform is an important signal launched towards the European authorities and the European companies. It is the confirmation that the EU Textile and Clothing industry, one of the major European industry sector, wants to retain its position as world leader both in Fashion and in Technical Applications thanks to better coordinated research and innovation approaches fully in tune with the market needs.
“Industry shall continue to invest in creative and high value added products, deploy innovative resource-efficient technologies and explore new business model. The Textile ETP will provide practical support through networking, access to funding and expertise at European level.”
In this context Mr Lutz Walter, EURATEX R&D Manager and future Secretary-General of the new structure stressed that: “Having successfully operated the European Textile Technology Platform for 8 years as a non-formalised network; building strong relationships among the network participants and excellent links with EU authorities; funding programmes and other sector platforms; the time had come to take this next logical step.
“The new set-up will give the Textile ETP the structure and resources to deliver more added values to its members, to face the challenges of the new EU funding environment post-2013 and to do more work with sectors whose innovations are linked with textiles. The new Textile ETP will offer various participation and membership options for textile and clothing companies, research and technology organisations and companies from related industries.”
In describing the legal procedures, Francesco Marchi, EURATEX Director General recalls “Last week we started the legal procedure when the 3 founder members EURATEX, Textranet and AUTEX signed the legal act in front of the notary for the creation of the non-profit organization Textile ETP a.i.s.b.l. Depending on the speed at which the necessary approvals from the Belgian authorities are obtained, a founding General Assembly will be held and operations will start within the next 2-3 months.”
In concluding, Mr Lutz Walter underlined that: “The upcoming 8th Annual European Technology Platform conference on 20-21 March in Brussels is the place to learn all about the opportunities of working with this new organisation and to discuss face-to-face with its leadership.”
