CITEVE

Summary

The Technological Centre for the Textile and Clothing Industry of Portugal (CITEVE), is a private non-profit organization. Founded in 1989, it is a reference organization within the national and european scene, regarding research, innovation and technology transfer promotion for the Textile & Clothing Industry,

CITEVE’s mission is to support the technical and technological development of the textile & clothing industry, promoting innovation and inducing new capacities and new competences as well as helping on the definition of industrial public policies.

With facilities in Vila Nova de Famalicão and in Covilhã, and commercial delegations in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Tunisia and Pakistan, CITEVE offers technological services of the highest level in different areas: Laboratorial activities, Technological consultancy & development, R&D+Innovation, Technology Watch, Product standards and certification, Training and Fashion intelligence.

Since April 2017, CITEVE is the managing authority of the Portuguese Textile Cluster strengthening the engagement and cooperation with the T&C value chain.

Technological Facilities

CITEVE pilot plants are equipped with the most advanced and innovative technologies

In the field of R&D and product innovation, CITEVE pilot plants are equipped with the most advanced and innovative technologies in what concerns to dyeing, finishing/functionalization, coating, lamination, printing, embroidery, seamless and weft knitting, garment manufacturing (non-conventional seams: welding, seams sealing, laser cutting, ultra-sons, high frequency), etc.

This prototyping technological facility is managed by a specialized technical and scientific staff, with competences in the textile and clothing processes and in the new application markets namely for technical products. This pilot unit is essentially devoted to demonstration/reengineering and for product/process development.

CITEVE’s laboratories are equipped with the best available technologies controlled by a highly qualified staff and are internationally accredited for more than 446 tests according to 900 different standards. Recognised by several national and international brands this business area is responsible for performing around 180.000 tests per year.

CITEVE’s labs are specialized in materials and product testing and characterization, such as chemical and physical testing, comfort and new functionalities measurement, fire behaviour, toxicological substances, microbiological tests for sports, automotive, geotextiles and personal protective equipment sectors.

Services

CITEVE offers the following services:

Testing

CITEVE’s laboratories are equipped with the best available technologies controlled by a highly qualified staff and are internationally accredited for more than 446 tests according to 900 different standards. Recognised by several national and international brands this business area is responsible for performing around 180.000 tests per year. CITEVE’s labs are specialized in material and product testing, such as chemical and physical testing, comfort and new functionalities measurement, fire behaviour, toxicological substances, microbiological tests, geotextiles, automotive and protective clothing.

R&D and Innovation

In the field of R&D and New product development research, CITEVE gathers know-how within the most advanced and innovative technologies such as hotmelt, coating, laminating, digital printing, 3D knitting, laser welding or seamless knitting. This prototyping technological facility is managed by a specialized technical and scientific staff, with competences in the textile and clothing processes and in the new application markets namely for technical products. This pilot unit is essentially devoted to demonstration/reengineering and for product/process development. R&D and innovation oriented to market demand is one of the major strategic lines of CITEVE and it’s structured into de following main activities:

• National and European R&D projects focused on product/process development, either by private contract either in programs co-financed by public authorities;
• Promotion, demonstration and transfer of emerging technologies and knowledge;
• As important activities that supports the innovation strategy, technology watch, benchmarking and IPR management are also available competences.

Consulting

Consulting and technological development also includes the sustainable production area, integrating services and expertise in LCA, environmental technologies, energy management, health and safety, waste management and quality management. This knowledge is based in a specific Department, which is also responsible for the STEP© (Sustainable Textile Production Certification), Green Textiles Initiative© and the Green Target Methodology©

IPR

Although priority is given to technology and knowledge transfer to industry, CITEVE has more 25 IPR’s registered, some of it licensed and a significant number of scientific and technical articles published in various publications.

Fashion & Design

CITEVE provides its clients with a portfolio of information in fashion and market trends

Regarding fashion and product design, either with its own staff, either with a private sourcing network, CITEVE provides its clients with a portfolio of information in fashion and market trends. This team observes and combines consumer behaviour with product and fashion trends, providing companies with an integrated product intelligence information package. The development and anticipated presentation of fashion trends, by market and by product, for each season, can be customised for each company or for groups of companies.

Training

CITEVE provides the textile & clothing sector with a training portfolio that aims to help companies in their evolution process to the technological and market mutations namely by acting in their human capital. This line of activity is structured in 4 main pillars: Initial qualification; Training of active workers; professional up-grade and specialization and top managers training; These training activities are complemented with projects oriented to youth motivation for textiles & clothing, production of training support material, e-learning and social responsibility projects.

Public Policy

With a very close relation with companies and a high level knowledge of the sector performance and reality, CITEVE also plays an important role in the definition and implementation of public policy, even acting as a working force to implementation and enforcement, through a close cooperation of national public governmental organizations. In the same sense, CITEVE cooperates regularly with different services and units within European Commission.

Administration

General Council:
Orlando Abílio Silva Lopes da Cunha – President
Luís Carlos Sousa Ribeiro de Fontes – Secretary
José Alexandre Gonçalves de Oliveira – Secretary

Board of Directors:
António Rui Sousa Dias Amorim – President
António Alexandre Bessa e Meneses Falcão – Administrator
José Alberto Vieira Robalo da Fonseca – Administrator
António Cardoso Fortes Calado – Administrator
Ana Cristina dos Santos Branquinho – Administrator

References

• https://www.citeve.pt/sobre_nos
• https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/kets-tools/infrastructure/citeve-technological-centre-textile-and-clothing-portugal
• http://www.centrohabitat.net/en/associado/citeve-centro-tecnologico-industrias-textil-vestuario-portugal
• https://lobbyfacts.eu/representative/b5af49b196ee43be9a3c37d138b9d798/centro-tecnologico-das-industrias-txtil-e-do-vesturio-de-portugal
• http://www.atp.pt/gca/index.php?id=211