US retailer Walmart has partnered with fashion and technology company unspun to pilot 3D weaving technology in garment production.
The collaboration offers a more sustainable process for meeting apparel demand and could shift more textile manufacturing back to the US.
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The pilot will explore making workwear-style trousers under a Walmart house brand using unspun’s innovative 3D weaving machines.
The 3D weaving process, which directly transforms yarn into garments, contrasts with traditional garment manufacturing which creates waste and requires multiple steps.
The new approach could significantly reduce the environmental impact of garment production, addressing concerns about waste in the apparel industry.
The pilot project is part of Walmart’s commitment to innovation in its supply chain, aiming to serve customers better and to address industry challenges driven primarily by fabric loss from traditional flat weaving, cutting and garment assembly.
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By GlobalDataIf successful, the two companies plan to expand their collaboration.
Currently operating out of a micro-factory in Oakland, California, unspun aims to deploy additional microsites across the US for on and near-shored manufacturing, aiming to have 350 machines in the country by 2030.
Walmart sourcing executive vice-president Andrea Albright said: “At Walmart, we are laser-focused on bringing innovation to our supply chain to better serve our customers and solve industry challenges, and unspun has the potential to do just that.
“The technology we are piloting with unspun has the potential to unlock more skilled job creation in the US, meet consumer demand for locally made garments and deliver on our commitment for greater transparency and sustainability in our apparel supply chain.”
The announcement follows Walmart’s recent showcase of tech-powered enhancements at the Consumer Electronics Show in Winchester, Nevada, on 9 January 2024, which included expanded drone delivery and computer vision exit technology at Sam’s Clubs.
