The SPACETEX project focuses on developing innovative knitted and woven structures based on composite fibers to protect spacecraft in Earth orbit from hypervelocity impacts. With over 27,000 tracked debris objects posing a serious threat, the project aims to design and characterize hybrid, multilayer, multiaxial textile systems reinforced with nanofibers for enhanced impact resistance.

PARTNER: Instituto Superior Técnico

The BiosenTex4Auto project aims to develop a reliable and unobtrusive textile-based in-vehicle sensing system designed to prevent drunk driving. The system integrates a durable, highly sensitive, and selective electrochemical biosensor into the steering wheel, capable of detecting ethanol in human sweat. This innovative approach provides a non-invasive and continuous alcohol monitoring solution, enhancing vehicle safety and driver awareness.

The project is co-funded by TecMinho through the iProof – Proof of Concept Funding Competition.

The BioCoTX project aims to develop and validate a proof of concept for innovative bioactive fibers intended for advanced wound-care applications. Produced through microfluidic spinning, these fibers are designed to enable the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents that support antimicrobial protection and tissue regeneration. The project will demonstrate the feasibility of integrating these fibers into textile-based wound-dressing prototypes and establish the basis for future technology transfer.

The project is co-funded by TecMinho through the iProof – Proof of Concept Funding Competition.

The UpFlow project aims to develop innovative fashion trousers with an integrated compression system for the prevention and treatment of Chronic Venous Disease (CVD). It combines fashion design, comfort, and advanced textile technology to create two types of trousers: one with textile compression and another with pneumatic compression, incorporating antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-odor materials to enhance user well-being.

Developed by Flor da Moda and the University of Minho, the project is co-funded by FEDER under Portugal 2030.

Multilayer structures for harvesting thermal energy inside automobiles

The project aims to recover residual heat inside the automobile and convert it into electricity through flexible multilayer thermoelectric structures that will be integrated into seats and roofs.

LEADER: Copo Têxtil Portugal, S.A.

PARTNERS: Centro de Física-UM, CMEMS-UM, Fibrenamics

Upskilling and reskilling the textile industry sector to face the challenges in recycling, traceability and certification of recycled products 

Skills4Circularity addresses critical skills shortages in the European textile industry by integrating circular economy principles, digital transformation, and sustainability into vocational and higher education. As industry transitions toward sustainable and circular economy principles, companies face significant challenges finding qualified professionals with expertise in eco-design and circular business models.The project will equip professionals with green, digital, and entrepreneurial competencies, ensuring a competitive, circular, and innovation-driven textile industry that is resilient, sustainable, and future-ready.

The DENINPRO project aims to expand PURE JEANS’ product range and market reach in denim dyeing, finishing, and washing. It combines innovative design with advanced expertise in developing high-quality jeans, using techniques such as enzymatic treatments, pumice or expanded clay washes, laser processing, controlled wear effects, and oxidative dyeing.

Led by Pure Jeans, Lda, in partnership with the University of Minho.

Exploration of the Potential of Deep Eutectic Solvents in Green and Sustainable Textile Dyeing

DeepNDye aims to reduce the environmental impact of textile dyeing. NADES will be used for the extraction of pigments and bioactives from natural sources such as algae and industrial and agricultural waste. The bioactives and pigments, dispersed in NADES, replace synthetic dyes in the dyeing process, reducing the amount of water required. The use of pigments and bioactives can also impart additional properties to textiles, increasing their final value.

LEADER: CEB-UM (ref, 15885 – COMPETE2030-FEDER-00700100)

This project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Competitiveness Program, the European Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), and the National Foundation for Science and Technology of Portugal (FCT) under the projects UID/00264/2025 and PRR.UID/00264/2025 of Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T).

The Unit’s Activity Plan for the coming years is based on a renewed strategy. The new organizational structure of the Unit has a circular and inclusive dimension of 3 key areas:

1. Sustainability
2. Digitalization
3. High-performance Applications

These key areas encompass 5 thematic groups:

1. High-performance Engineering Textiles
2. Advanced Textile Processes
3. Sustainable and Regenerative Fibrous Materials
4. Textile Design & Fashion
5. Smart Textiles

Develop a smart, multi-action fibrous dressing that simultaneously fights infection, reduces inflammation, and promotes tissue regeneration in diabetic foot ulcers through a bioactive, stimuli-responsive, microfluidic-spun and seamlessly knitted fiber system (2024.13379.UTA).

PARTNERS: CQ-UM, IPL, UTAUSTIN