28. Apr 2026
BASF launches Triamix mobile spectrograph for on-site textile fibre identification
BASF has introduced its Triamix mobile spectrograph, a handheld device designed to identify textile fibres quickly and directly on site, with implications for quality control, traceability and recycling of polyurethane-containing materials.
The company said the device enables rapid fibre identification without the need for laboratory analysis, supporting more efficient verification across the textile value chain. According to BASF, the system is intended to help address growing demands for transparency in fibre composition.
“Material innovation is driving the future of footwear and textiles, but it also increases complexity across the value chain,” said Adrian Vogel, segment lead circular economy at Triamix. “Triamix Mobile NIR Spectroscopy Solution provides a practical tool that helps customers gain transparency, minimize risks, and enable informed decisions in recycling and circular economy processes.”
The technology is particularly relevant for complex fibre blends, including those containing polyurethane-based elastane (spandex), where small proportions of PU can significantly affect performance but are often difficult to detect. BASF highlighted the role of the device in improving sorting and verification processes.
“Accurate fibre identification is a key prerequisite for high-quality recycling,” the company said. “With Triamix, we are enabling better sorting of textile waste streams and supporting the transition to a circular textile economy.”
For polyurethane applications, this has direct implications in both apparel and footwear. Elastane fibres are widely used in stretch textiles, while PU is also present in coatings, laminates and synthetic leathers. In footwear, PU dominates midsole materials and is increasingly used in uppers and functional layers.
BASF also pointed to the device’s role in supporting regulatory compliance and supply chain transparency.
“The increasing demand for transparency and regulatory requirements, such as digital product passports, require reliable data on material composition,” the company said. “Our mobile solution enables this data to be generated quickly and directly where it is needed.”
By enabling decentralised testing, the Triamix system could reduce reliance on central laboratory analysis and speed up decision-making in manufacturing and recycling environments. BASF added that the device is designed for ease of use in industrial settings, allowing non-specialists to carry out fibre identification.
Photo: BASF's handheld Triamix spectrograph © BASF