Led by innovative organisations and certified by the Techtera Innovation Cluster, the TILIAQ and uSkan 2 projects embody two complementary visions for transforming the textile industry: One relies on digital technology and optronics to ensure production quality; the other employs terahertz technology to make recycling more reliable and efficient. Both are part of a dynamic of innovation in the service of a more competitive, sustainable and resilient textile industry.
TILIAQ: Quality Assurance enters the 4.0 era
TIL, a major textile printing group in France, is leading the TILIAQ project, supported by Techtera. Currently, the inspection of printed fabric rolls still relies on manual checks – a long, tedious, and error-prone process! The cost of substandard products represents approximately 8% of the enterprise’s revenue; highlighting the need for structural transformation.
The TILIAQ project is part of this drive for innovation and ongoing improvement, with these targets:
- Improve quality control through digital and optronic technologies; Improve inspection reliability while reducing labour costs
- Exploit Big Data technologies to analyse production data and anticipate defects
- Optimise roll assembly procedures, based on quality criteria and customer orders
One of the main technological bottlenecks, which the TILIAQ project seeks to address, is the lack of automated inspection systems for printed fabrics in industrial processes, including during roll unwinding. Complexity of patterns and diversity of fabrics make this a particularly challenging issue.
To meet this challenge, the project uses GoldenEye Smart Vision technology, developed by Apollo Plus. Beyond simple defect detection, TILIAQ also aims to: Fully exploit the collected data to continuously refine production processes; Establish correlations between anomalies and industrial parameters; Optimise order management and customer relations.
Planned for two years (2024–2026), the project’s €721,399 budget includes €350,000 of public funds.
uSkan 2 : Le térahertz au service du recyclage textile
uSkan 2, awarded a prize in the i-Lab competition, represents a major technological advance for non-destructive testing in the textile industry. Led by Jean-Baptiste Perraud, founder of OPTIKAN, the project aims to: Improve traceability, quality of recycled materials, and optimise industrial processes.
The uSkan 2 project pursues several ambitious objectives, particularly for the textile recycling, building materials, and chipboard sectors.
By integrating embedded intelligence, uSkan 2 also allows real-time control of production lines, accelerating the transition to a more autonomous and eco-responsible Industry 5.0. This innovative solution overcomes the limits of traditional methods (ultrasound, X-rays), but still safe for operators.
OPTIKAN, in partnership with key organisations such as Nouvelles Fibres Textiles and Saint-Gobain, aims to transform several key sectors, while actively contributing to reducing costs and the environmental footprint of the industry.
These two projects illustrate the richness and diversity of textile innovation in France, driven by visionary SMEs (small/medium enterprises) and supported by committed ecosystems like Techtera. Together, they are shaping the future of a smarter, cleaner and more efficient textile industry.
Contact: Juliette JAUPITRE – jjaupitre@techtera.org
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