Retail giant Walmart and tech company Unspun are on a quest to address the issue of waste production in the apparel industry. This pilot project will manufacture workwear chinos using 3D technology to shift textile production back to the US market.
The traditional garment production process is deemed inefficient due to fabric loss. Moreover, the discarded inventories are not used in any apparel manufacturing process thereby boosting waste production and carbon emissions.
The pilot project will use the Vega 3D fabric technology that can bypass traditional apparel production methods. With the weaving machines, yarn is spun directly into completed garments, as claimed by Unspun. The company intends to reduce the environmental impact of garment production from its micro-factories in Oakland and California.
“One big problem with the clothing industry today is that because clothing is made before people want it, excess inventory has to be produced,” said Unspun’s co-founder and chief product officer Beth Esponnette.
Walmart and Unspun plan to extend their collaboration if the pilot project runs successfully. Unspun will enhance the number of microsites across the US by leveraging its manufacturing partners. This will enable Unspun to achieve on- and near-shore manufacturing. By 2030, the tech company plans to install 350 3D machines in the country.
“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,” Andrea Albright, executive vice president of sourcing at Walmart, said in a statement.
“The technology we are piloting with Unspun has the potential to unlock more skilled job creation in the U.S., meet consumer demand for locally made garments and deliver on our commitment for greater transparency and sustainability in our apparel supply chain.”
Besides manufacturing, Walmart strives to achieve sustainability in other facets of its operations. For example, the company has a goal to run on fully renewable energy by 2035. In February 2024, the retail giant hit its supplier emissions goal removing 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas from its supply chain.
Industry experts have forecasted that this 3D apparel manufacturing project will create skilled jobs in the US market, ensure transparency and sustainability in the apparel supply chain. Moreover, this will suffice the consumer demand for locally made garments.
From an environmental point of view, the new 3D technology will lessen the impact of garment production and address the concern of excess waste in the apparel industry.