Advancing Automation and Robotics for Sustainable Manufacturing: Strategic Pathways for the UK Fashion and Textiles Industry

Postlethwaite, Susan, Thiel, Kat ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5274-8271, Atkinson, Douglas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7108-6225, McCall, Caitlin and Tupikovskaja-Omovie, Zofija ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3180-3458 (2025) Advancing Automation and Robotics for Sustainable Manufacturing: Strategic Pathways for the UK Fashion and Textiles Industry. Project Report. UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT).

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Abstract

This paper discusses work undertaken by researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University’s Robotics Living Lab (RoLL) to understand the current use of automation and robotics in the UK Fashion and Textiles Industry, providing an overview of companies’ engagement with contemporary technologies, and desire to modernise their production capabilities. It identifies key barriers to adopting automation and offers strategic recommendations to UK Fashion and Textile businesses for implementing agile tooling and collaborative robotics. These solutions have the potential to make the UK more competitive in international markets and drive sustainability, net zero manufacturing and a reshoring agenda.