Sustainable energy applications in stenter machines in Germany a bibliometric analysis of research trends

The textile industry is among the most energy-intensive sectors, with stenter machines playing a critical role in drying, heat-setting, and finishing. These machines consume significant thermal energy and represent an essential focus for sustainability and decarbonization. Although numerous studies have addressed heat recovery, efficiency, and emission reduction, no bibliometric evaluation has targeted Germany. This study applies bibliometric methods to examine sustainable energy applications in stenter machines in Germany from 1990 to 2025. Data were retrieved from Web of Science and Scopus using a topic–country strategy and analyzed with the Bibliometrix R package. The analysis considered publication output, leading authors, institutions, journals, keyword networks, citation structures, and collaboration patterns. Results indicate three phases: an early stage (1992–2004), a local peak (2005), and renewed growth (2018–2023), consistent with Germany’s Energiewende framework. Industrial journals such as Melliand Textilberichte dominate publication venues, while Brückner Trockentechnik GmbH and Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH emerge as central contributors. Keyword analysis reveals two thematic axes: equipment–process optimization (airflow, drying, heat transfer) and energy recovery–efficiency (heat exchangers, waste heat utilization, energy conservation), increasingly tied to decarbonization. Citation analysis shows a right-skewed distribution, where a few methodological papers provide long-term visibility and guide applied studies. Overall, German research on stenter machines is industry-driven and practice-oriented, closely aligned with national energy transition policies. Yet gaps remain in benchmarking protocols, low-carbon heat integration, advanced control strategies, and life cycle assessment. These findings highlight both the strengths of current research and the opportunities for future contributions to industrial sustainability.