Fluorochemistry – TEGEWA participates at Cross-Sectoral Information Session

Various European regulatory activities with regard to fluorochemistry – either implemented or still in development – show far-reaching consequences for the whole textile supply chain. That’s the reason for the contribution of TEGEWA to the comprehensive, web-based conference on July 23rd about „the Cascade of REACH Restrictions in Fluorochemistry“. The information session had been a joint project of the associations VTB (Verband der Bayerischen Textil- und Bekleidungsindustrie), Südwesttextil, textil + mode, VCI Bayern and TEGEWA and addressed a large-scale target audience at European level. Along with representatives of textile chemistry companies, from politics and authorities, especially representatives of customer’s industry joint the session in order to inform themselves about the current developments with regard to REACH legislation on fluorochemistry. This is, among others,

  • The restriction process on undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and fluorinated polymers that are used in textile industry (public consultation ends September 25th)
  • As well as the „Call for Evidence“ regarding an intended restriction of the whole fluorochemistry (PFAS) in the EU (public consultation ended July 20th).

The audience had been invited to make submissions to the public consultation on the restriction of PFHxA. Further information regarding the information session as well as the presented slides can be downloaded e.g. from the website of the VCI Bayern.

Moving towards Europe: TEGEWA and Italian chemicals association Federchimica are founding European association of manufacturers of textile and leather chemicals (EUCTL, European Chemistry for Textiles and Leather)

In order to accompany European and international issues even more efficiently, TEGEWA and Federchimica founded the association „European Chemistry for Textiles and Leather“ (EUCTL) on June 8th, 2020. The statutes which had been signed by the authorised representatives of both founding members will now have to be confirmed by the Belgian bodies.

This will take approximately three months – during this time, all necessary organisational preparations will be started to establish the new association as an active European body in Brussels in autumn 2020. TEGEWA and Federchimica hope to achieve better – and earlier – involvement by EUCTL in European legislation processes and to be able to actively accompany those in future.

Even if the two founding members are representing the major part of textile and leather chemical industry in the European Union, further organisations of additional EU countries are welcomed to join EUCTL. Strategical partnerships with additional, European or global acting organisations are imaginable as well.

Master’s Course “Sustainable Textiles” at Hof University

The TEGEWA Steering Group Textile Auxiliaries has established an endowment professorship for the master’s course „Sustainable Textiles“ at the Hof University/Abt. Muenchberg which started in summer term 2020 on April 20th (later than originally planned because of the current pandemic situation).

This English-taught, postgradual master’s Course is a dual one, meaning: In parallel with the course of study, a traineeship at a company (textile chemicals manufacturer) is obligatory.

The master’s course “Sustainable Textiles” is combining textile chemistry and sustainability in the textile supply chain in a unique way. By linking theory and practical applications the students are receiving the best possible preparation for a future career in this exciting and innovative professional field. To find more information just visit the university’s website!