Groundbreaking project for automated textile repair
At a time when sustainability and resource efficiency are at the heart of our future, RecoMended is taking an important step towards transforming the textile industry with its Automated Repair Module (ARM). Combining advanced technology with a vision of circular economy, the project aims to automate and streamline the repair of textile products, not only extending the lifespan of clothes but also reducing the negative environmental impact of the fashion industry. With the goal of repairing 10 million garments by 2030, ARM offers a cost-effective solution that enables companies to realize their circular business strategies without compromising quality or profitability.
The project, called "TexRepair: Scaling automated textile repair services", aims to develop and optimize a patented and scalable textile repair module called Automated Repair Module (ARM). The project is carried out in collaboration between RecoMended, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Wargön Innovation, and the fashion companies Kappahl and Nudie Jeans. Together, the parties will work to take ARM technology from today's Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 to TRL 7, which means that the system prototype will be tested in a real environment.
The main objective of the project is to increase the market's ability to extend the lifetime of textile products, thereby reducing the need for new production. The ARM technology is designed to meet the repair requirements of a majority of textile products, reducing the need for new production and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the life cycle of the products. ARM automates up to 80% of common jeans repairs and reduces repair costs by around 70%, enabling fashion companies to develop new circular business models that are more cost-effective than traditional tailoring solutions. The goal is for ARM to contribute to the repair of 10 million garments by 2030, potentially saving up to 30 000 tons of carbon per year.
- At Wargön Innovation, we are passionate about giving entrepreneurs the best possible opportunities to scale up really good sustainable innovations and ideas. RecoMended's ambition to use automation and AI to lay the foundation for cost-effective and scalable repairs has enormous potential, both environmentally and commercially," says Joel Arnoldsson, Innovation Manager at Wargön Innovation.
- This project represents a significant step forward in our quest to make the textile industry more sustainable and resource efficient," said Rikard Ledin da Rosa, founder of RecoMended. By automating and streamlining textile repairs, we can not only reduce environmental impact but also create new business opportunities in the circular economy.
The project is expected to contribute to a norm shift from fast fashion to slow fashion, with an increased focus on quality garments with a long lifespan and repairs where the history and uniqueness of the garments are valued.
The project is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, Formas and Vinnova's joint initiative Impact Innovation and is a collaboration between RecoMended, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Wargön Innovation, Kappahl and Nudie Jeans.