Netherlands based technical textiles giant Royal Ten Cate has put into production the first machine for the digital finishing of technical textiles, based on inkjet printing technology. Dignitary Theo Rietkerk, member of the Provincial Executive of Overijssel for Economy, Energy and Innovation, activated the machine at TenCate Protective & Outdoor Fabrics in Nijverdal, the Netherlands on 1 July.

The operation of the new machine marks the official transition from analogue to digital finishing of technical textiles.

“With digital finishing of textile surfaces other or new characteristics can be introduced in existing products, leading to product modifications that meet the increasing dynamics of wishes of customers,” the company said in a statement today.

 Digital inkjet technology gives TenCate the ability to offer on demand delivery and mass customization on the basis of a flexible, sustainable and cost-efficient production process. Industrial application of inkjet technology within the technical textiles industry will mean considerable savings in water, energy and chemicals, such as dyes and pigments.

As Ir Loek de Vries, President and CEO of TenCate, explains: “Digital inkjet technology is a case of technological innovation, one of the cornerstones of the TenCate business model. This groundbreaking innovation is the driving force behind new activities of TenCate. It generates new opportunities to continue to meet the changing needs and expectations of the end-user.”

This digital inkjet machine is the result of an intensive cooperation between Reggiani Macchine of Italy, Xennia Technology of the UK and TenCate, within the framework of European innovation programs. The research and development of the digital inkjet machine and the related research over the past years were facilitated by the support of the European Union, the European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing, the province of Overijssel, the University of Twente and the region of Twente.

 TenCate Protective Fabrics is a leader in the development, production and marketing of protective and safety fabrics and multi-risk solutions for industry, services, fire fighting and defence. TenCate Protective Fabrics has production facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.

TenCate animation - digital finishing of textiles...

TenCate Outdoor Fabrics is a leader in the development, production and marketing of protective fabrics for outdoor applications. Its product portfolio is incorporated in among other things in tents, sun awnings and structures. TenCate Outdoor Fabrics has a production facility in Europe.

Royal Ten Cate nv (TenCate) is a multinational company that combines textile technology with chemical processes and material technology in the development and production of functional materials with distinctive characteristics. TenCate products are sold throughout the world.

Systems and materials from TenCate come under four areas of application: safety and protection; space and aerospace; infrastructure and the environment; sport and recreation. TenCate occupies leading positions in protective fabrics, composites for space and aerospace, antiballistics, geosynthetics and synthetic turf.