Textile Opportunities in a changing Automotive Industry (TOAI) was held in the UK, February 5 to 6, 2020. The conference showcased the best innovations and collaborative action from automotive brand leaders and their supply chain to dramatically reduce material, production energy and process water waste. It illustrated the sheer diversity of end-use applications for textiles in the automotive industry that already exist, and the potential for further growth, both through car manufacturers seeking to lower weight to reduce CO2 emissions and the push to develop alternatives to the internal combustion engine.
Textiles and nonwovens are contributing to the new mobility era by providing, for example, textile interiors with high levels of comfort for the occupant while reducing the impact of manufacturing on the environment. New processes are offering waste-free recycled lightweight materials for interiors. With natural fibers and new materials come new benefits such as higher tensile strength, inherent heating/cooling, moisture wicking properties and anti- soiling solutions. In addition, the perception of luxury is changing, and sustainability is becoming an ever-more important factor in consumer-purchasing decisions.
New concepts and techniques were described, which sparked informative discussion during the forum sessions. There were ample networking opportunities for participants. TOAI offered valuable and interesting content and praised the high quality of the individual presentations in a well-structured program.
