[Integrated] Will there be "Alpha-Dog" in the future to challenge humanity in textiles?

The new book "A Brief History of the Future" by Yuval Noah Harari, author of the world-class best-selling book "A Brief History of Mankind," will be published in January 2017. It is said that Luo Fat's website sold 100,000 copies in three days. How much attention is paid to the future!

On the 4th of last month, the human brain was defeated again. In the past week, the master of the "killing Quartet" "Network Player" revealed in front of the 60th game with Coulee that he was the Alpha Dog that defeated Li Shishi last year. "new. As a result, the "last battle" Coulee lost with two goals and a half, and the Master finished with 60 consecutive wins.

Will there be "Alfa Dogs" in the future to challenge humanity in textiles?

The development and future of the textile industry

Looking back at history, the textile industry has been at the forefront of innovation and technological change. From ancient Egypt, high-quality linen was produced with superb weaving technology. Today, people use high-tech production of smart textiles for the production of body armor. The textile industry embodies people's creative talents and is also one of the world's major industries.

Ancient Egyptian linen

The textile industry employs millions of people and drives billions of dollars in circulation between each economy. In the past few decades, the textile industry has undergone tremendous changes. What radical changes will occur in the future are very exciting.

3D printing technology

In the foreseeable future, 3D printers will become the main driving force for the development of the textile industry.

3D printing can produce three-dimensional products by layering layers of materials. The process of self-tailoring in the future may only require a 3D printer, which can even recycle garments.

It sounds like a distant fantasy, but textile industry expert Archero's new CEO, Alexander Wessels, said that 3D printing will be one of the technological achievements that will have a huge impact on the textile industry.

Fantasy 3D print clothing

The same support for this "fantasy" also includes Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Institute of Color Research. Because of its limited restrictions, 3D printing will bring the textile industry to a new world.

plasma

Another invention that will have a major impact on the production of textile materials is plasma technology. Plasma is a gas with many liquid properties. It is a mixture of ions and radicals. Plasma can replace some liquid products for enhancing the performance of the product, such as applying it to textiles can increase water resistance.

Peter Hauser, a professor at North Carolina State University’s School of Textiles, said that plasma can be used to replace some polymers and polymerization because it removes water from the components. Hauser, who obtained 10 invention patents in fertilizer release, flame retardant, green dyes, etc., cited an example of a water-repellent textile.

Conventional water-repellent liquids use water as a solvent, and the process of waterproofing the fabric includes coating the polymer solution on the surface of the textile and heating to evaporate the water. When the fabric is waterproofed with a plasma, the water repellent is not dissolved in water, but mixed in a plasma gas, such as helium, which can be used repeatedly.

Hauser reveals the advantages of plasma. Using plasma technology can greatly save water and energy. At the same time, it is more environmentally friendly because no by-products will be produced in the whole process. Plasma technology can reduce production costs and does not require high-temperature drying during the textile finishing process, making it very attractive.

The main obstacle at present is the introduction of this technology requires companies to invest in the early stage, most people are not willing to do so. With the reduction of water, energy and transportation costs in the later period, the initial investment will be balanced. Since no water is used in the process, the weight of the finished product will be reduced by up to 70% during transportation.

automation

European Textile Automated Warehouse

From cloud computing to the use of robots, automation in the textile industry will continue to evolve, making production processes and equipment more intelligent. Experts all mentioned that the importance of cloud computing will gradually become prominent. No matter where you are, you can get the information you want. The data can be transmitted, shared and analyzed in real time.

Cloud computing can achieve real-time access to any location, which has had a huge impact on the textile industry. In a cloud-based company, designers are able to stay in closer contact with retailers and producers, allowing brands and manufacturers to respond more quickly to market trends.

social media

Social media is bringing new forms to almost every industry, such as textiles, clothing, fashion, etc. The most well-known social media are Twitter, linkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+, Youtube and so on.

In the past five years, these media have become the most important channels for the dissemination of news and information. At the same time, the continuous development of mobile technologies, such as the development of smart phones and tablet computers, will enable social media to play an important role in reshaping consumer spending habits. In some cases, social media is promoting the fashion trend, not only the communicators of the news, but also shaping the news.

How will social media promote the textile industry's fashion?

Social media is influencing consumer trends in an unprecedented way.

With the advent of "fast fashion," people have a greedy desire for new products. Fashion cycles cycle faster than ever before, from popular to outdated, to re-emerged, and sometimes this process can be completed in less than a decade.

At the same time, the trends you see on the streets or on social media may spread like viruses.

The media may also have a negative impact on the brand. Robert Antoshak, general manager of Olahg and textile industry expert, gave an example.

In 2013, the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh resulted in the death of more than 1,000 workers, most of whom are textile workers. For a moment, there was a lot of news on this incident on his Twitter.

Smart fiber

There have been many experiments on smart fibers. There are many highlights. For example, the combination of conductive materials and embroidery can make these fibers an LED light source. Scientists are developing a material that can adjust the temperature with the climate to keep the wearer warm or cool.

The textile industry expert DCPatel specifically mentioned that the application of smart fibers in the textile industry will revolutionize the current apparel market. The basic role of clothing is to provide protection for the wearer, intelligent fibers or so-called smart textiles can take this protection function to the extreme.

They have the ability to sense, receive, transform, and calculate, and these capabilities are constantly evolving and improving. The problem that needs to be solved in the development of smart fibers is that some conductive fibers do not have toughness or ductility, so they may be damaged during the washing process.

Currently, one possible solution is to permanently insert a nanoparticle fiber into the fiber instead of the conductive fiber.

sustainable development

Nikeetterworld refers to the "Better World" program launched by the Nike brand. Environmental sustainability is one of its contents.

Sustainable development is becoming an important issue facing the textile industry, and it may change the pattern of the textile industry and bring more opportunities.

Resources will be gradually exhausted, and humankind will not be able to obtain, solicit, and obtain it again, or it will have serious consequences for all aspects of economic development. The development of new chemicals and dyes is imminent. The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) program is a consensus reached by textile retailers and manufacturers and is expected to be achieved by 2020.

Many textile companies are looking for a production method that combines fashion with sustainability and environmental protection. Many brands and retailers promise to use safe and environmentally friendly dyes. New research results can reduce water and energy consumption during dyeing and printing. They are called watermarkless dyeing.

Recycling plastic bottle made of polyester material jersey

Another, what is expected to be developed is how to recycle the textile fibers of old clothes for the production of other products. This area, especially polyester, is very suitable for recycling. The adjustments and upgrades made in printing, finishing, and other processes can ensure that the environment has as little impact as possible.

Second-hand clothing market

Most industry experts predict that the trend of “fast fashion” will continue. Both India and China are populous countries. The middle class of both countries is growing, people’s demand for consumer goods is increasing, and it will also be buried in the prosperity of the secondary market. Under the pen.

Nicole Bassett, director of the Sustainable Lifestyle brand's sustainable development department, proposed that the current market for second-hand products is very rich in variety and quantity, which will make the secondary market of eBay, Craig's List and other platforms prosper, and will also promote the development of organizations like Goodwill.

At the same time, companies such as Patagonia and H&M will also carry out a “rebate plan” for secondary sales of good-quality clothing.

High-end shipping companies, such as the US company Buffalo Exchange, will also become a trend. Buffalo Exchange has stores in 17 states across the United States. More than one store sells used clothing, and two of them have franchise rights.

Bassett predicts that the secondary market will continue to develop and impact the primary market, but the specific impact is still uncertain.

Labor market shift

In China and India, the middle class with considerable economic strength is rising. This will not only drive demand for new products, but also create space for selling products in these markets.

There is additional pressure on the demand for textile production resources, including water and energy. At the same time, people’s quality of life continues to increase, making recruitment of low-income jobs more and more difficult.

Therefore, in order to win the competition, companies have to increase the wages of workers, resulting in an increase in the overall wage level of the industry. Manufacturing will be transferred to Vietnam, Cambodia and other developing countries.

In short, the ever-evolving commodity market will prompt commodity prices to rise and bring new opportunities. It will also trigger commodity price wars.