US-based fashion company Unspun developed technology to create 3D woven garments on demand.

Called Vega, the 3D weaving technology is Unspun’s answer to fast fashion. Normally, fashion brands have to guess what customers in the future might want to buy. They have to order the garments, often overseas, which are commonly created by cutting and sewing fabric together, leaving a lot of waste. Once the clothes arrive in the store, it is uncertain they are still in demand and will be sold. They may end up discounted or even thrown away.

With Unspun’s technology, the production time is accelerated from months to days. The garments are produced locally in an automated process. Thousands of individual yarns are woven directly into a seamless 3D textile, eliminating the need for cutting and sewing and thus eliminating waste. The process is said to be 10 times faster and five times cheaper than 3D knitting.

Since the process is on-demand, brands are free to produce small batches with little or even no inventory. Shortening the supply chain is cheaper and makes things simpler. And by producing locally, working conditions can be monitored more easily, hopefully eliminating the exploitation of workers. The process makes nearshore or onshore production financially feasible without sacrificing market competitiveness, and while maintaining just-in-time fulfilment capabilities, according to Unspun. Finally, the process reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 53 per cent, using 49 per cent less energy and fuel, and requires 39 per cent less water.

At the end-of-life of the garment, Unspun aims to unravel the garments so the threads can be reused.

Images: Unspun