The Walter Reiners Foundation recognized outstanding young engineering talent at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, presenting promotion and sustainability awards for innovative textile technology research. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the foundation highlighted the importance of highly qualified engineers in driving the future of sustainable textile manufacturing and advanced textile machinery development.
Walter Reiners Foundation Awards Presented at Techtextil 2026
At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.
Mattis Körner, from TU Dresden, received a sustainability award for his internship project, in which he analysed the effects of fibre lengths on the properties of fibre composites.
Annegret Storm was awarded a promotion prize for her bachelor’s thesis, which she completed at RWTH Aachen. She evaluated microwave heating technology in the false-twist texturing process.
Lukas Robert Balon (RWTH Aachen) was awarded a promotion prize in the master’s category. In his thesis, he developed a CFD model to describe the flow conditions during BCF texturing.
The Foundation awarded a promotion prize to Katrin Platte for her master’s thesis, which she completed at the DITF in Denkendorf. The topic was the design of a drafting machine for precursor filament yarns.
The recycling of carbon fibres was the subject of the master’s thesis by Sabina Dann, RWTH Aachen, who was awarded a sustainability prize by the foundation.
60 Years Walter Reiners Foundation
During the event, the foundation celebrated its 60th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the foundation’s chairman, Peter D. Dornier, looked back on the industry’s development over the past decades together with former award winners Prof. Stefan Schlichter (1989 award) and Dr Heiko Schenuit (2013 award).
The entire industry benefits from the work of the Walter Reiners Foundation, as highly qualified young engineers are essential for tomorrow’s success.
FAQ
What is the Walter Reiners Foundation?
The Walter Reiners Foundation is a VDMA-supported organization that promotes young engineering talent in the textile machinery and textile technology sectors.
What awards were presented at Techtextil 2026?
The foundation presented promotion and sustainability awards to students and researchers for innovative bachelor’s and master’s theses related to textile engineering and sustainability.
Why is sustainability important in textile engineering?
Sustainability helps reduce resource consumption, improve recycling technologies and support environmentally responsible textile production processes.
What was the focus of Sabina Dann’s research?
Sabina Dann’s master’s thesis focused on the recycling of carbon fibres, earning her a sustainability award from the Walter Reiners Foundation.
Why is Techtextil important for the textile industry?
Techtextil is one of the leading international trade fairs for technical textiles and textile technologies, showcasing innovation and industry advancements.
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