Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf (DITF)

The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) form the largest textile research center in Europe with more than 300 scientific and technical staff. As the world’s only textile research facility and covering an area of more than 25,000 m², the DITF work right across the textile production and value chains. Since 1921, we have been across all the major fields within textiles. The DITF are among the leading research institutions worldwide. Applications are architecture and construction, production technologies, health and care, clothing and home textiles, mobility and energy, environment and resource efficiency.


The German Institutes of Textile Fiber Research (DITF) in Denkendorf conduct applied research in close cooperation with international networks along the whole production chain, which is reflected in the five business units (fibre and yarn technologies, fabric and structure technologies, functionalization, innovative and intelligent products, modern production management, and central functions). The focus not only lies on improving methods to produce and to handle fibres, but also on utilising renewable raw materials or developing nerve guide bars. By applying such product- and technology-oriented innovations and management concepts, the ITV boosts their customers’ ability to compete and help secure their position in the market. Contracting bodies are industrial enterprises and large-scale service providers as well as the state. Therefore individual, technically feasible, and organizational solutions for our clients are compiled. Products and processes are developed to market-readiness in cooperation with industrial partners. The ITV is an important supplier of innovative know-how for small and medium-sized enterprises without their own R&D department. Our main goal is to convey scientific results to the industry.