Work

Digital Twins for a Sustainable Textile Industry: A Critical Analysis of Unexplored Applications and Future Directions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Digital Twin (DT) models are gaining attention as promising tools for improving efficiency, sustainability, and responsiveness in textile manufacturing. This paper provides a critical review of existing DT applications and outlines seven underexplored areas where such systems could offer tangible benefits. By linking DT models with real-time data, textile producers can optimise energy usage, reduce production errors, enhance machine reliability, and accelerate decision-making processes. Moreover, DTs offer long-term opportunities for smarter waste management, personalised production with lower return rates, and better workforce training. The paper concludes with stakeholder-specific recommendations, such as integrating digital product passports for recyclability, and calls for a cross-disciplinary approach to digital transformation in the sector. These findings offer practitioners a roadmap for adopting DT technologies not only as monitoring tools but as strategic enablers for circularity, agility, and competitiveness.

Source: Textiles

DOI: 10.3390/textiles5040049

Author: Radostina Angelova

Institution: Technical University of Sofia

Language: English

Topic: Digital Transformation in Industry

Subfield: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207