Institut Français du textile et de l'habillement

IFTH researches on new textile technologies in the fields of chemistry grafting, technical textiles, finishing, printing, environment, energy, textile processes (spinning, weaving, knitting, nonwovens). It is an essential partner in the technological evolution of Textile and Apparel.

More than ever, Research and its applications, improvements in productivity, innovations and the training that ensues, and trials and tests of new products have become unavoidable. This requires know-how in experimenting, references based on expertise in the industry, guarantees of objectivity and recognition at an international level.

The scientific skill and qualification of its human resources, the complementary aspects of its technological centres, its reputation for excellence and its international relationships and partnerships make of the Institute an essential link in the new stakes of the world-wide Textile-Apparel Distribution network.

IFTH is a laboratory of innovative ideas: whether under private contracts or through actions financed in part by regional, national or European public funds, the Institute initiates and steers numerous projects aimed at:

- Increasing the added value and the use of fibres, structures or composites.

- Developing new systems of measurement and control.

- Optimising the design and production processes.

- Creating innovative training tools.

- Facilitating exchanges of information within the network.

Lead person in IFTH will be Mr. Le Blan. He graduated from Ecole des Mines de St Etienne in 1984 and got a strong experience in textile industry. He was mainly appointed as technical manager in several plants of CHARGEURS GROUP (preparation and trading of fibres) and in PGI (POLYMER GROUP Inc. production and trading of nonwovens). He joined IFTH 9 years ago as head of yarn spinning department and was appointed 3 years ago as head of textile prototyping and processing (spinning, weaving, nonwovens). He set up the European Centre of Nonwoven, which is a nonwoven laboratory dedicated to dry way nonwoven developments, and is currently involved in the development of European Centre for Innovative Textiles. He has a strong experience in European level management as he was either participant or coordinator of projects (e.g. for FP5: Biolose, Mothproof). He manages currently national project such as MEMOTI, dedicated to new elastic fibres from polymer melts.