About Clutex
CLUTEX – technical textiles cluster brings together top Czech companies from the textile, chemical, engineering and other fields. Why such a large scope for our cluster? Because textiles is a multidisciplinary field that combines knowledge of textiles, physics, chemistry and also technological processes. And technical textiles, which is centred on enhancing the technical properties of the product, focuses on monitoring and improving precisely those essential technical parameters. In the production of technical textiles, it is precisely the observance of production conditions that is in view in order to create a safe and highly functional product.
As research and development progresses, the need for multidisciplinary collaboration expands. Textiles are now also combining with electronics to create fabulous wearable electronics, popularly used in sports or healthcare. And this is certainly not the end of research and development.
Do you feel that technical textiles are far from you and you don’t even use them? Know that in today’s world you encounter technical textiles every day. When you put on a softshell jacket, for example, that’s the moment. Clothes with membranes, various disposable wipes – whether they are for children, make-up remover or disinfectant – these are also technical textiles. Bookcloths, passport covers, plasters with healing effects….products of technical textiles for everyday use are really a lot. And in all these areas you will find products from our member companies.
A little bit from the history of CLUTEX
The CLUTEX cluster was established in 2006, in the period after the transformation of the Czech economy to a market environment. In the post-revolutionary period, the textile and clothing industry underwent a significant reduction. During the transformation, companies tried to increase productivity, invested in new technologies and gradually the demand for research and innovation began. This became more apparent in the post-Milenium period. Visionary firms became increasingly aware that they had to produce value-added products, follow trends and adapt to market demands in order to have a future.
The cluster was established in 2006 after a two-year period of mapping the textile industry in terms of its potential. The establishment of the cluster was supported by the following 17 companies: Association of Textile, Clothing and Leather Industry, Technical University of Liberec, Faculty of Textile, Textile Testing Institute, INOTEX spol. s r.o., SVITAP J. H. J. spol. s r.o., VÚTS a.s, SILK & PROGRESS, spol. s r.o., VEBA, textilní závody a.s., HEDVA, a.s., VÚB a.s., Spolsin spol. s r.o., Mitop a.s., Nyklíček spol. s r.o., Slezan a.s., Polytex s.r.o., Vamtex s.r.o. and Licolor a.s.
From this list, the following member companies should be highlighted for the great effort devoted to preparing and supporting the establishment of the cluster: Technical University in Liberec, Textile Testing Institute in Brno, INOTEX spol. s r.o., SVITAP J.H.J. spol. s r.o. and VÚTS a.s. These members are still strong pillars today and help the cluster achieve its mission through their membership of the executive or supervisory bodies.
Where is CLUTEX heading?
The objectives and activities of the cluster were directed according to the needs of the industry and the member companies primarily to support research, development and innovation. The second pillar of activities was the promotion of the textile industry and the visibility of the promising field of technical textiles.
Support for research and innovation is provided by the cluster through collective research projects, within which dozens of useful projects have been implemented during the cluster’s activity, linking member companies to ensure the competitiveness of Czech textiles.
CLUTEX has supported and continues to support cross-border cooperation within the CORNET projects, which provide member companies with the opportunity to cooperate with similarly focused organisations in Germany.
Promotion of Czech technical textiles consists in participation in Czech and foreign trade fairs and exhibitions. During its existence, the cluster has organised dozens of successful expositions for its members – for example, from a separate exposition in Brno in Hall Z, where technical textiles were presented as a promising part of the industry. Also worth mentioning is CLUTEX’s regular participation in the largest European trade fair focused on technical textiles – Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main. Here it regularly occupies an area of about 200 m2 and thus becomes an imaginary Czech pavilion. It thus confirms the privileged position of Czech textiles, which is an interesting product for visitors to the fair.
During its existence, the cluster has a number of successes to its credit. Both research and innovation projects of member companies and the cluster itself have been awarded. The most recent award-winning achievements include the evaluation of the ENAMEL project as Project of the Year 2024. The project addresses pre-commercial research and development of new technologies for encapsulation and encapsulation of e-textile systems directly integrated into textiles and textile products. It links 4 research organisations from the Czech Republic and Germany.
CLUTEX also has an exceptional position among other clusters. Due to the fact that the application of textiles is multidisciplinary and very broad, it addresses a large number of research and innovation projects. That is why it was awarded the title of Golden Cluster in 2020 and also received an award for its long-term contribution to the regional development of the innovation environment.
Cluster membership base
In terms of size, CLUTEX brings together companies ranging from small businesses to large ones, manufacturing, research and educational organisations. The member companies cover a wide range of areas from textile production, textile machinery, finishing plants, garment and fibre production to research, development or testing laboratories. Among the members you will also find societies and associations.
The list of members can be found HERE (link to the searchable list)
Vision, mission, strategy – do we have it anywhere? To leave a legacy?
How does the cluster work?
A cluster is a non-profit organization, a society whose highest body is the General Assembly. It influences the cluster’s activities most in terms of its powers, but on a long-term level. At the operational level, the cluster is managed by the Administrative Committee (link to the Administrative Committee section), which is composed of six elected members – representatives of member companies. The Management Committee meets at least 6 times a year and deals with both operational matters and strategic matters, which are anchored in the Articles of Association.
The members of the Administrative Committee are elected for 4 years.
The statutory body of the cluster is the president or, as it is now, the president. The President or President is elected from among the Board of Trustees. Its term of office is also four years.
The Supervisory Board (link to the Supervisory Board section) is the supreme control and supervisory body, which is composed of three members and is also elected for a period of 4 years.
The cluster manager ensures the functioning of the secretariat and manages the day-to-day operations of the cluster, oversees the activities of the working groups and ensures the efficient implementation of the cluster’s strategic objectives.
CLUTEX also has an honorary president. He is the first ever president – Ing. Jan Heřmanský from the founding company SVITAP J.H.J. s.r.o. Since the establishment of the cluster, he took on this position, which he held until 2024. He was at the birth of many activities that the cluster did and still does today. That is why he deserves a big thank you and the honorary president award given to him in 2024 by the General Assembly of CLUTEX.
All cluster bodies are precisely anchored in the Cluster Statutes. They are available on justice.cz.
