CONSORTIUM

CARBOWAVE Partners

Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf

The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) is Europe’s largest textile research center, employing over 300 scientific and technical staff across a 25,000 m² facility. Established in 1921, DITF is unique in its comprehensive coverage of the entire textile production and value chain—from molecular research to finished products and market-ready solutions cite.

DITF comprises three specialized institutes:

Institute for Textile and Process Engineering (ITV)
Institute for Textile Chemistry and Chemical Fibers (ITCF)
Center for Management Research (DITF-MR)

DITF institutes collaborate on interdisciplinary projects in fields such as chemistry, materials science, process engineering, and mechanical engineering. Their research spans various sectors, including mobility, construction, healthcare, fashion, and environmental sustainability.

By integrating cutting-edge technologies and digital innovations, DITF plays a pivotal role in advancing the textile industry and supporting both public and private sector initiatives.

DITF contributes its microwave expertise to the “CARBOWAVE” project and makes the needed components available to the partners.

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Dr. Erik Frank

Dr. Erik Frank got his PhD in 2023 and is now the Head of Competence Center for High Performance Fibers at DITF. He works for over 20 years on the development of carbon fibers with more sustainable precursors from biomass and less energy conversion methods for stabilization and carbonization. Erik is specialized in the preparation of Lignin-based carbon fibers, which were and are developed in many EU programs (LIBRE, VIBES, CUBIC). Erik works in the HPFC fiber center, which allows development of endless carbon fibers under realistic conditions of industrial production facilities.

Sabrina Boumad

Sabrina Boumad earned in 2017 a MSc/Engineering degree in Chemistry and Polymer Science from the University of Strasbourg. After several years in the polyurethane industry, where she worked on the development of polyurethane adhesives, coatings and flexible foams, Sabrina joined the DITF in 2024. Her current work focuses on the development of carbon fibers from alternative precursors or processes, particularly biobased carbon fibers from lignin.

Volker Bauch

Volker Bauch graduated in chemistry at the University of Stuttgartand has been a research associate at the Competence Centre High Performance Fibers at the DITF since 2010. He has extensive experience in stabilising and carbonising polyacrylonitrile fibers on various pilot lines and producing carbon fibers from alternative precursors.

Frank Schmidt

Frank Schmidt studied chemistry at the University of Tübingen, Germany, from 2012 to 2023 and obtained his PhD in the field of total synthesis of a natural antibiotic. After his PhD, he started his career as a scientific researcher at DITF Denkendorf and has been a member of the carbon fiber group since the end of 2023, where he is particularly involved in the development of lignin-based carbon fibers and the corresponding process.