Changes in technology of textile industry

TOM STEVENS: I think consumers are the main drivers of innovation in fabrics because their needs are changing, and the technology they’re using (that we’re all using) is evolving at a very fast pace. People will buy in different ways by using all this technology. They will run through a more dynamic customer journey by combining both online and offline touchpoints.
We also face huge challenges towards creating a more sustainable world, and we have many opportunities at the same time to improve our processes and to provide more value to consumers in general. But we are aware that if we want to be relevant and future proof in all senses, innovation is essential: socially, ecologically, and economically. 
We must figure out which technology is the most relevant, and which technology can better facilitate the production of fabrics, as well as the marketing of fabrics, the sales of fabrics, and the distribution of them. Experimenting with and working on these aspects in a human-centred way: this is what our innovation work is centred on at its very core.
I see technology first as a perspective from where innovation can be undertaken. It can inspire innovation as soon as it provides, for example, alternative ways to produce things, ways to offer additional services, offer opportunities to improve parts of a process.
Secondly, technology also facilitates innovation through creating new tools, for example, for real real-time collaboration for mapping processes, for brainstorming these can all speed up the innovation process.
Read the full interview:

1. 
   Part One: Consumers, technology, and COVID-19 are driving change in the textiles industry 
   
2. 
   Part Two: Innovation, digital technology, and our need for a more sustainable textiles industry
   

HIGH-PERFORMANCE FABRICS ARE MAKING A BIG TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT
The textile industry is making a big impact with high-performance fabrics. These materials are used to make products that are more sustainable, comfortable, and durable. High-performance fabrics are made from natural fibres and engineered fibres, as well as polymers, metals and ceramics; they're used in everything from athletic clothing to medical devices. Some examples of high-performance fabric technologies include:

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  Nanoengineered fabrics for better breathability or insulation
  
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  Woven or knitted fabrics that reflect heat or block ultraviolet light
  
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  Polyester blends that absorb moisture faster than cotton alone
  

High-performance fabrics are used in a variety of industries, from the home fabrics and contract fabrics markets to the medical field and sports.
DIGITAL TWIN TECHNOLOGY IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY
Digitised fabrics are instrumental in furthering the sustainability practices of architecture and design firms. They speed up prototyping, marketing and selling while also increasing the scope of product development and market reach. Learn more about TwinBru, our service that provides high quality renders of interior furnishings & scenes with 3D digital fabrics that match the actual fabrics.
So, what are we doing to contribute to a circular economy that is innovative, reduces waste and boosts sustainability? The answer is: digital fabric twins.
Digital twin technology is also making a huge impact in the textile industry.
But what are they? Simply put: a digital fabric twin is the digital reproduction of a physical fabric.
These digital twins always show the true colour and texture of the fabric and have a variety of applications for different businesses. By using digital twins, waste is drastically reduced by complementing digital design and prototyping processes with high quality, photorealistic digital representations of the fabric.
NANOTECHNOLOGY AND TEXTILES: NANOTEXTILES
Nanotechnology is being used to create new textiles that are lighter, stronger and more breathable. These new fabrics can be used in place of conventional synthetic materials like nylon or polyester. They can also be integrated into existing textiles such as cotton and wool to give them unique properties.
Nanotextiles are made from tiny particles known as nanofibers that are less than one thousandth of a millimetre wide, or around 100 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. The size of these particles allows them to be incorporated into different types of fibres with ease, providing designers with more freedom when creating new textiles with unique properties.
WHAT AREAS OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY ARE MOST INNOVATIVE?
The textile industry is changing in many ways. There are, however, a few key areas where it's making the most progress.
One of these is the creation of high-performance fabrics that can be used to make more comfortable clothing that lasts longer.