HKRITA

R&D Focus

Technology Focus Areas

To meet the challenges in the globalised economy and following the removal of World Trade Organisation quota system in 2005, Hong Kong’s textiles and clothing (T&C) industry must adopt new and innovative technologies to excel in high value-added manufacturing. Following an industry consultation exercise by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in November, 2005, HKRITA has adopted four technology focus areas for R&D projects, namely:

(a)	New Materials and Textiles and Apparel Products;

(b)	Advanced Textiles and Clothing Production Technologies;

(c)	Innovative Design and Evaluation Technologies; and

(d)	Enhanced Industrial Systems and Infrastructure

(a) New Materials and Textiles and Apparel Products

Traditional textile materials have some inherent but unfavourable properties which cannot be easily removed by conventional methodologies. To satisfy consume demands, additional functionalities to improve material properties by advanced technologies are being developed on good appearance, hand feel, easy care, comfort, etc

Examples of New Materials and Textiles and Apparel Products:

Thermal and moisture management fabrics and garments
Nano materials
Shape memory polymers, fabrics and garments
Smart garments for healthcare applications
Functional fibres

(b) Advanced Textiles and Clothing Production Technologies

Local manufacturers seek high productivity incorporated with consistent product quality and flexible provisions. High production cost, stringent environmental controls and soaring price of fuel/oil have stimulated demands for advanced textiles and clothing production technologies to solve these issues.

Examples of Advanced Textiles and Clothing Production Technologies:

Multiple functional treatments for fabrics and garment
New colouration technologies
New finishing technologies
New spinning technologies
3D pattern CAD

(c) Innovative Design and Evaluation Technologies

Manufacturers are working towards new clothing functional designs to incorporate functionality and durability of the final products. In particular, garment fit issues could be resolved by taking into account material properties in functional design operation. Objective product evaluation technology is being developed to replace traditional subjective evaluation which incurs inconsistent/inaccurate results due to human error, inaccurate calibration of testing equipment, etc.

Examples of Innovative Design and Evaluation Technologies:

New mannequin for product development and evaluation
Quality evaluation systems
Product specification
Garment fit

(d) Enhanced Industrial Systems and Infrastructure

Up-to-date and comprehensive database on textile sourcing and fashion design are required by young designers and merchandisers in obtaining related information to facilitate their work. Local practitioners and students seek better portals to upgrade their knowledge on textile and clothing technologies.

Examples of Enhanced Industrial Systems and Infrastructure:

Knowledge portal
Yarn and fabric database
Fashion design database
Industrial consortium
Training and consultancies

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