As digital technologies and platforms become increasingly important in addressing global challenges, the textile industry is taking on many new forms in the automation, data analytics, and supply chain management segment to reduce costs and improve the overall product quality and customer experience. Whether it is energy conservation or waste management, rapid digitalization made age-old industry practices far more sophisticated and prompted faster implementation across various operations. With e-commerce emerging strong in post-Covid years catering quickly to changing customer preferences, the need for more sustainable production and consumption is driving forward rapid digitalization in this segment.

CAD, RFID help automation, waste reduction

Increased productivity and more sophisticated manufacturing processes have been advantageous in incorporating digital technology in which in turn has helped in reducing wastage and reusing raw materials. This has further helped in minimizing the need for power resources such as electricity, water, and energy and creating a greener and cleaner environment. 

Digitization processes such as Computer-Aided design (CAD) technology that helps create sophisticated patterns faster while allowing a range of design modifications have drastically reduced industrial wastage. Other digitization forms such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology helps track the movement of textile rolls for efficient material handling and many other new processes in automation, data analytics, and supply chain management are all being incorporated into the textile industry.

Digitalization driving fashion segment

A recent report by Deloitte's Global Fashion & Luxury Private Equity and Investors Survey 2023, highlighted the fashion and luxury segment has and will continue to be a lucrative one for most global investors and financial operators. This is due to many positive factors such as more predictable and mapped consumer behavior and the difficulty issues of high energy costs and raw material prices and supply chain disruptions having  becoming far more manageable. 

The growth drivers of the apparel segment have been the personal luxury goods sector. A lot of this growth can be attributed to the rapid digitization across the apparel, accessories, and textile segments.

Other industry global reports on the key prospects offered by digitalization have focused on sustainability which can together attain more Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set for 2030 by the United Nations as a global call to action to end poverty and protect the planet from environmental damage.

As Brij Mohan Sharma, Managing Director, RSWM, one of the largest textile manufacturers in India and exports points out, the fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by digitalization, is reshaping economies through digital innovation across sectors. Embracing it is no longer a choice but a necessity in current times, to gain a competitive edge in the market and can help companies position themselves at the forefront of progress by navigating the complexities of modern markets.

Brands across the board have realized to keep up with technological innovation and new computer languages, an increasing digital presence is a necessity and not just an option. It is time textile businesses include digitization to make more responsibly manufactured products and lower global pollution for more streamlined operations with sustainability and durability as its core issues.