JEC World: More affordable, sustainable hydrogen pressure tanks at ITA booth

At JEC World 2026, the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University will be presenting hydrogen pressure tanks manufactured using multifilament winding processes at the NRW joint booth in Hall 5, Stand G65.

TowPreg-based winding allows fibres to be laid down in a very targeted manner and reduces quality fluctuations. According to initial estimates, this saves at least around 10% carbon fibres compared to wet winding. This is an important consideration, as carbon fibres are among the most expensive components of a pressure vessel. In addition, cleaning costs in production are reduced, less waste is produced and manufacturing takes place with virtually no solvent vapours.

The hydrogen tanks can be used in buses, lorries, ships and portable gas transport systems – anywhere where lightweight, safe high-pressure storage is crucial.

Award-winning research for sustainable carbon fibre cycles

Besides, ITA PhD student Sabina Dann was awarded the MSW Award from RWTH Aachen University for her master’s thesis demonstrating that sustainable recycling of carbon fibres was possible through targeted electrochemical surface modification, which makes the sizing of carbon fibres resistant to solvolysis. The award ceremony took place on 12 November 2025 in Aachen.

Sabina Dann’s master’s thesis opens up the way to sustainably recover carbon fibres, one of the key future topics in the composite materials industry.

The benefits for the industry include higher-quality recycling instead of downcycling of carbon fibres, as well as reduced material and disposal costs. The environment benefits from less landfill waste and the conservation of resources through longer fibre life cycles. With her master’s thesis, Sabina Dann has presented a new approach for durable, solvent-resistant carbon fibre surfaces, offering a valuable contribution to research.

Most of the research for the master’s thesis was conducted within the carbon fibre research group at the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. This enabled Ms Dann to utilise the proven expertise of her Australian colleagues in her work and promote international cooperation between the institute and the university.

The MSE Award from RWTH Aachen University honours outstanding students in the field of Molecular Science & Engineering (MSE) who have achieved excellent results in their master’s theses with an interdisciplinary focus and great scientific innovation potential.

Cover photo: The hydrogen pressure tanks manufactured using multifilament winding processes that will be showcased at JEC World 2026