Nanotechnology concerns itself with the tiny. It refers to technologies that are 1 to 100 nanometres in size and we are only just starting to exploit its potential in textiles. Broadly speaking, nanotechnology brands use nanotechnology to improve textile performance. For instance, designers can integrate specific nanoparticles into textiles to improve certain performance characteristics. They could make them more water-resistant or enhance the UV protection they provide the wearer.
Combined with existing antimicrobial solutions, nanotechnology is a new textile technology that could usher in a new age of self-cleaning fabrics. This would reduce the amount of washing required and extend a product’s expected lifespan.
- Circular economies
The concept of the circular economy is everywhere, pervading all industries and influencing all manufacturing organizations. The textile industry is no exception. In a closed-loop circular economy, businesses limit the amount of material, energy, and other components entering or leaving the manufacturing cycle. This places greater emphasis on recycling, reusing, and renewable energy sources.
In textiles, several technologies are improving brands’ abilities to implement closed-loop systems. While we have already mentioned upcycling, chemical recycling techniques are another good example. They enable manufacturers to break textiles down into raw components, which can then be used to produce new fibers, reducing their reliance on new, virgin resources.
- Hydrophobic materials
We are also seeing advancements in hydrophobic textile technology. This kind of solution improves fabric water repellency and prevents textiles from absorbing moisture. As you might expect, the sports and outdoor industries are particularly interested in this technology.
However, we can also use hydrophobic technology to equip products with self-cleaning properties. Hydrophobic coatings cause water droplets to roll off surfaces. As they do, the drops carry away accumulated dirt and debris, keeping the item clean and reducing the amount of washing required.
- VR, AR, and virtual try-on
While brick-and-mortar stores still play a critical role in the clothing, fashion, and textile industries, digital technologies and sales tools are revolutionizing how consumers approach shopping. Augmented reality apps enable customers to see how clothes will look and fit before making a purchasing decision, so they don’t even have to leave their homes to try on outfits.
At the same time, body-scanning technologies ensure customers get the right size every time, reducing returns, making for a more streamlined experience, and improving customer satisfaction. As this new textile technology develops, we can expect to see it used to facilitate bespoke tailoring and personalized designs, too.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Design and Manufacturing
AI is everywhere right now – including the textile industry. We anticipate it affecting the sector in two main ways. First, AI will play a role in analyzing consumer behavior, trends, and preferences, helping brands identify market movements and opportunities. They can use this information to inform textile design and development, limiting costly design failures and better meeting consumer demand.
Second, AI will help textile businesses optimize manufacturing processes and improve efficiency. Again, this will reduce overall operating costs by reducing resource use and minimizing manufacturing errors. Savings made via innovative AI textile technology can then be invested in other areas.
- Synthetic biology and lab-grown materials
Synthetic and lab-grown materials are also changing how we think about natural resources and our relationship to traditional textile crops, such as cotton. The ability to synthesize new materials and produce them at scale in a controlled environment means that we do not require the harmful pesticides and chemicals used to grow natural fibers and can better manage our resource use.
Lab-grown materials also enable us to create fibers with desirable qualities and performance characteristics. For instance, we can bioengineer synthetic spider silk that is stronger, lighter, and more durable than traditional fibers. We can create textiles that perform better in extreme heat or cold or respond to specific environmental conditions, such as high humidity.
Finally, synthetic, lab-grown materials give us greater control over how a textile looks, feels, and interacts with other fibers. It allows brands to create entirely new designs that break the rules associated with traditional fibers and gives them much more creative freedom.
- Advanced robotics in manufacturing
