Walmart has embarked on a groundbreaking pilot project with unspun, a trailblazing U.S. fashion technology firm, leveraging the world’s first 3D weaving technology. This collaboration aims to significantly diminish the environmental impact of garment creation, introduce an eco-friendlier approach to fulfilling apparel demands, and uphold the mutual commitment of both companies to migrate textile manufacturing back to the United States. Operating from its microfactory in Oakland, California, unspun's revolutionary technology presents an efficient method for converting yarn into garments more rapidly, sustainably, and with far less waste.
The initiative seeks to confront the substantial waste issues plaguing the apparel sector, primarily caused by fabric loss during traditional weaving, cutting, and assembly processes, as well as the disposal of excess inventory generated to meet consumer demands and fashion cycles. These concerns, coupled with the carbon footprint from transporting fabrics and garments internationally, underscore the urgent need for more sustainable solutions within the apparel manufacturing supply chain.
The pilot will assess the feasibility of employing unspun's 3D weaving machines to produce workwear-style pants for a Walmart house brand. Unlike traditional methods that weave yarn into fabric before cutting and assembling it into garments, 3D weaving directly creates finished pieces, minimizing waste and streamlining production. This innovative approach diverges from conventional 3D printing techniques, offering a novel solution to garment manufacturing's efficiency and sustainability challenges.
Should the pilot succeed, both companies aim to expand their partnership and potentially establish multiple microsites across the U.S. for localized manufacturing. unspun's goal is to deploy 350 machines nationwide by 2030, signaling a significant shift towards more sustainable and transparent apparel production practices, in line with the growing imperative to combat climate change and reduce the industry's carbon footprint. Beth Esponnette, co-founder of unspun, said, “We have been running low-volume production of commercial products at our first micro factory with proven third-party life cycle assessments to back the impact of this new type of production. Now, together with Walmart, we see an enormous opportunity to take our innovations to scale, with the potential to disrupt the garment manufacturing industry, bring jobs to the USA and drastically reduce waste in apparel.”
This announcement follows closely on the heels of Walmart’s recent unveiling of various tech-driven initiatives aimed at enhancing its supply chain and operational sustainability. These efforts include expanded drone delivery services, advanced checkout technologies, and pioneering carbon capture solutions for the apparel sector. Walmart's longstanding dedication to sustainability is further evidenced by its ambitious renewable energy goals and active engagement in Project Gigaton, underscoring its role as a leader for positive environmental change across global value chains.
unspun's goal is to integrate technology with fashion to redefine garment production as we know it and minimize waste. With its pioneering 3d weaving technology, the company has established itself as an innovator in the fashion industry, earning multiple accolades, including landing on TIME Magazine's Top Greentech companies list just this week for its commitment to sustainability and visionary approach to manufacturing. Prior to the Walmart collaboration, unspun has established multiple partnerships with brands including Eckhaus Latta, Collina Strada, Pangaia and Weekday. In their own words, "It's sci without the fi."
