Trelleborg Secures Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Nottingham Trent University to Elevate Smart Medical Textiles

Summary

NOTTINGHAM, UK - Trelleborg, a global leader in engineered coated fabrics, has announced an exciting new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) Medical Technologies Innovation Facility. This collaboration, part-funded by Innovate UK, aims to expand Trelleborg’s capabilities in smart fabrics for healthcare applications through cutting-edge innovation and research-driven solutions. 

The partnership will propel the development of a smart mattress system designed to enhance patient care and reduce medical interventions, further cementing Trelleborg’s position as a leader in advanced medical textiles. 

Nottingham Trent University’s Medical Technologies Innovation Facility accelerates the research, development and delivery of innovative medical technologies and services for organizations across the breadth of medical and health sectors, by widening access to world-class facilities, equipment and expertise.

NTU’s Dr. Yang Wei, an expert in smart medical textiles, said: "We are thrilled to partner with Trelleborg on this project. The development of smart fabrics will significantly impact the healthcare industry, and our shared vision aims to provide innovative solutions addressing real-world challenges. This KTP demonstrates the power of combining academic research with industry expertise to create tangible advancements."

Antony Croston, commercial director Healthcare & Medical for Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics, shared his excitement about the partnership, stating, "This KTP is an important milestone in transforming the future of healthcare textiles. By combining NTU's research expertise with our local capabilities in engineered coated fabrics, we aim to pioneer innovations that improve patient well-being while driving global change in medical textiles." 

Why smart fabrics matter in healthcare 

Smart fabrics represent a modernization in healthcare textiles, playing a critical role in improving patient outcomes. From preventing pressure injuries with advanced sensing technology to enabling data visualization for better decision-making, these textiles offer unparalleled opportunities to transform treatment quality and healthcare efficiency worldwide. 

Trelleborg’s experience in engineered healthcare fabrics through its global coated fabric brand Dartex^®, will be complemented by NTU’s deep expertise in electronics and software engineering. Together, they will focus on creating innovative sensing systems, seamless technology integration and scalable solutions suitable for global healthcare markets. 

For Trelleborg, partnerships with universities like Nottingham Trent University are pivotal to driving global innovation. By nurturing collaborative initiatives, Trelleborg strengthens its ability to address global healthcare challenges through localized efforts that foster research integrity and an inclusive approach to innovation. 

The KTP, a national initiative funded by Innovate UK, a national innovation agency dedicated to supporting business-led innovation across all sectors, technologies and regions of the UK, bridges the gap between academia and industry, enabling companies like Trelleborg to tap into academic expertise to solve strategic challenges. This 26–month project will explore the development of sensing technology, interface systems and data visualization, creating products that redefine comfort and care in medical contexts. 

About Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics and Trelleborg Group

Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics is one of the world’s leading producers of specialty polymer-coated and calendared materials. It focuses on meeting the most demanding needs of aerospace, automotive, healthcare & medical, manufacturing, marine, outdoor and recreation, protection and safety, and rail and mass transit customers. Its network extends to 5 production locations globally. The business unit accelerates the progress of its customers through outstanding polymer expertise, an unrivalled product range including patented products and proprietary materials, a portfolio of established brands, unique process offerings, its and ‘Ease of Doing Business’ philosophy.

Trelleborg Group

Trelleborg leverages in-depth materials and applications expertise with early market insights, making the Group a world leader in engineered polymer solutions. We offer a unique portfolio covering a broad range of applications–even the most complex ones. In 2024, Trelleborg Group reported annual sales of approximately SEK 34 billion, with operations in around 40 countries. The Group comprises three business areas: Trelleborg Industrial Solutions, Trelleborg Medical Solutions and Trelleborg Sealing Solutions.