HISTORY
The ITGTO at the Department of Textiles, Graphic Arts and Design has a rich past and an important role in the area of scientific research and technical work.
The Institute produced the first Yugoslavian regenerated cellulose fibres from domestic raw materials; a number of other procedures for manufacturing cotinine from hemp waste and flax seed were both developed and patented, while the Institute research results were also the foundation for allowing the domestic manufacture of chemical fibres. Additionally, researchers from the Institute developed analytical methods and research apparatuses. In the 1980s, research at the Institute continued with the same vigour and success. The introduction of faster spinning speeds for PA 6,6 POY filament yarns, technical improvements to colouring polyester fibres and the use of the new technology of recycling cotton waste and re-using it for spinning purposes are just three of the numerous achievements that were important for manufacturing. The results of all this research are numerous publications both at home and abroad as well as presentations at symposiums, meetings and conferences.
Despite the overwhelming success, research work at the Institute somewhat died down between 1990 and 1997. However, this does not mean it was abandoned. On the contrary, during this period research continued in the framework of the Department of Textiles, Graphic Arts and Design. The Institute, meanwhile, limited its activities to textile analysis. Franjo Kočevar, the doyen of Slovenian textile technology, said: “Too much work went into it to simply abandon everything.” And he was right. The Institute altered its name and gained new life at the Department of Textiles, Graphic Arts and Design. The institute was re-named the Institute of Textile and Graphic Technology and Design (ITGTO); today, it offers everything it offered in the past and much more. Among the basic, already mentioned activities (textile analyses, research and consulting), the current Institute also offers an additional educational course.
Today, the Institute actively cooperates on various development projects and cooperates with government and non-governmental organisations on EU projects and the harmonisation of directives in the field of labelling textile and leather products; it also issues various publications for companies and consumers and much more. Collaboration between laboratories is naturally also very important: it has helped our current programme become much more extensive, now including personal protective equipment, toys, textile floor coverings, etc. Since the Institute can draw upon all the employees at the Department as well as enlist external collaborators, the professional nature of the work is never an issue.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
1) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
The basic activities of the Institute include analyses, solving complaints and providing professional opinions and assessments. The research and development work takes place in equipped laboratories belonging to the Department of textiles and includes the areas of textiles (mainly analysis of fibres, yarns, threads, flat textiles and toys), graphic technologies and design. Collaborating with other laboratories is also important, since it greatly expands our current programme of analyses, which now also includes personal protective equipment and toys.
2) COOPERATING WITH BUSINESSES
The Institute cooperates with Slovenian businesses in the context of research-and- development projects, preparing studies and analysis with professional opinions.
3) EDUCATION
Educational courses are carried out at seminars that are organised at our Department or in facilities belonging to the client. The programme is carried out according to the client’s needs.