Sustainable materials research meets high-tech drying: Econ drying cabinet in the BioFabrication Lab at the University of Art and Design Linz

The BioFabrication Lab at the University of Art and Design Linz in Austria is an interdisciplinary research platform at the interface of fashion, technology, and biology. Here, new perspectives for textile applications and cycle-oriented production processes are emerging. The team works with bio-based materials such as gelatin, starch, and mycelium to develop compostable material systems and sustainable leather alternatives. Through collaborations with renowned experts and international networks, the lab contributes significantly to the further development of responsible, resource-efficient textile and fashion practices.

When manufacturing innovative 3D textile prints, the research team faced a complex task: the newly produced structures had to be dried quickly and gently without compromising their delicate shape. Traditional methods reached their limits here.

This is exactly where our Econ drying cabinet comes in: thanks to innovative condensation technology, it operates at very low process temperatures and with a high air volume. This allows a large amount of moisture to be evenly removed from the surface areas of the samples.

“For us, it was crucial that the drying process was reliable and gentle. The Econ impresses with its space, industrial design, good price-performance ratio, and, above all, efficient, reproducible process technology,” says Peter Holzinger, Senior Artist.