2024

Saari, Leila; Kääriäinen, Jukka; Mäkelä, Satu-Marja; Rantala, Tuija; Hatara, Ella; Kojo, Laura

The “Industry-specific digital compasses for the green transition” project was implemented by researchers from VTT, the Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., together with representatives of Finnish Textile &amp; Fashion (Suomen Tekstiili &amp; Muoti), Chemical Industry Federation of Finland (Kemianteollisuus ry) and Service Sector Employers (PALTA ry). The project implementation period was June 2023 – March 2024. <br/><br/>The study investigated the following subject: “Which digitalisation solutions contribute to the green transition with business edge conditions, especially in the clothing manufacturing value chain?” In the research, a general reference framework for the green transition through digitalisation was drawn up, and the production chain of traditional clothing manufacturing, which has significant environmental impacts, was examined as a case study. The research utilised the results of surveys and interview studies carried out in the companies of industry associations and literature research.<br/><br/>According to the textile questionnaire and interviews, the common issue on the twin transition roadmap is the upcoming digital product passport. Companies need to prepare for both the product passport and other regulations and reporting requests for sustainability and the circular economy. Companies can start by collecting material information and integrating their internal systems, e.g. using software robotics. Digitalisation starts with making your processes more efficient and expands to the data management of subcontracting networks. Virtual technologies (3D design, AR/VR, metaverse) have a positive environmental impact because the use of materials is eliminated or at least reduced. Optimisation of manufacturing, e.g. decreasing energy or materials, is possible with the help of digital technologies (e.g. IoT, digital twin, artificial intelligence). The platform economy can support textile manufacturing in all stages as well as in the new services of the circular economy (repair, rental, reuse and recycling of used clothes).<br/>Logistics is an essential function for manufacturing industries – including the chemical and textile industries – and the need for transparency and reporting capability on the emissions generated through this process will increase. Logistics has become attentive to greenhouse gas emissions calculation and reporting, both upstream and downstream, in the supply chain.<br/>