HKRITA

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The latest textile research insights and news from HKRITA. Join host and professions dive deep in textile matters. The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel is a Hong Kong based research institute for the textiles and clothing industry. We focus on R&D and collaborates with industry partner to facilitate technologies transfers and commercialisation. Find out more: www.hkrita.com

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60 recent

August 25, 202634 min

HKRITA & CityU EngD Society Seminar | AI-Driven G2G Manufacturing Process and Sorting for Circular Manufacturing

Mr. Raymond Chiu, Senior Research Manager at The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, highlights Hong Kong Miton's government-funded AI and computer vision recycling tech co-developed with PolyU to advance textile sustainability. Focusing on post-consumer garment upcycling, the system employs pixel-level fiber analysis and infrared detection to split cotton-polyester blends, plus UV scanning to spot defects and assess garment resale value. This tech-driven system adjusts fiber opening parameters intelligently to raise qualified recycled cotton yield, enabling a profitable circular economy with retail mall collection stations. It demonstrates how AI-powered sorting transforms textile waste into high-value yarn, fostering a financially viable sustainable future for Hong Kong's textile industry.

August 18, 202633 min

HKRITA & CityU EngD Society Seminar | AI + 3D Infra: The Path to Seamless Design-to-Dev Innovation

Mr. Alfie Chen, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director of Style3D, introduces an Embodied Intelligence Framework for smart manufacturing with aerospace background, targeting deformable fabric pick-and-place manipulation. Distinct from rigid pre-programmed robots, the framework addresses the physical blind spot of general large language models by integrating depth camera perception, open-source LLMs, FEA-based agent physics validation, and special nozzle actuators. Adopting a human-centric human-in-the-loop design that reserves human judgment for complex quality decisions, the system has been validated on 14 fabric varieties. This research effectively bridges the gap between AI natural language planning and physically reliable robotic execution in garment automation.

July 28, 202627 min

HKRITA & CityU EngD Society Seminar | Smart Manufacturing for Sustainable Fashion Development

Prof. Ray Wai Man Kong, Registered Engineer and Adjunct Professor at City University of Hong Kong, demonstrates AI and Smart Manufacturing in the garment industry, covering the full pipeline from AI-generated fashion design to automated production. Key highlights include automatic cutters, garment hanging systems, and intelligent sewing machines. The system leverages computer vision and cloud-based analytics to standardize workflows and boost efficiency. Ultimately, it illustrates the transition toward "Garment Industry 4.0"—achieving cost reduction, quality standardization, and end-to-end digital management through AI, IoT, and automation integration.

April 20, 202624 min

VIATT Vietnam 2026 seminar | Towards a Cleaner Future: Circular Recycling and Microplastic Removal in Textiles

Topic: Towards a Cleaner Future: Circular Recycling and Microplastic Removal in Textiles Ryan Wong, Business Development Manager from HKRITA addresses the urgent global crisis of textile waste, noting that 3 tons are discarded every second. He positions this crisis as an opportunity for innovation and economic growth. Ryan outlines the institute's mission to advance R&D and technology transfer, focusing on five key research pillars. He delves into three specific technologies: hydrothermal separation (The Green Machine) to recycle polyester-cotton blends; a solvent-based system to recover nylon from nylon-spandex blends; and an acoustic wave filtration system to remove microplastics from wastewater. He concludes by discussing the institute’s capabilities, its strong research team, and its commitment to scaling these technologies for commercial and industrial use.

April 14, 20261 hr 9 min

VIATT Vietnam 2026 panel discussion : Fashioning a Circular Textile Economy Through Industry Collaboration

Topic: Fashioning a Circular Textile Economy Through Industry Collaboration This panel discussion explored the rapidly changing landscape of sustainability in the global fashion and textile industry. Key themes included the increasing influence of regulatory frameworks, the critical role of material innovation, and the urgent need for enhanced collaboration across the entire supply chain. Panelists shared insights on how legislation is driving action, the importance of transparency and traceability, and the necessity of scalable, economically viable solutions. They also highlighted the existing gaps between academic research and industrial application, advocating for stronger partnerships between research institutions, governments, and industry stakeholders to achieve a truly sustainable future. Moderator : Dan Connolly from UKFT Guest Speakers: Katherine Chan from HKRITA Prof. Rajkishore Nayak from RMIT University Vietnam Thu Le from XAVAN Kiki Chen from Covation Biomaterials LLC

March 2, 202627 min

Weaving the Future: Advancing Functional Textiles with Innovative Technologies [Mandarin audio]

In this engaging panel discussion, we bring together leading experts in the textile industry: Ms. Zoe Zhang from HKRITA, Prof. Yu Xiaokun from Donghua University, Mr. Andrew Chan from Lenzing, and Mr. Barty Wei from Highsun Holding Group Co., Ltd. Listen to our panelists' sharing on how innovative technology is shaping the development of functional textile materials, the commercialisation of these innovations, and insights into the progress of functional textiles. Tune in to gain a concise yet comprehensive overview of the future of functional textiles and the technology driving this evolution!

February 15, 20269 min

Electrospinning Technology in the Textile Industry: Prospects and Challenges [Mandarin audio]

In this insightful episode, Zoe Zhang, Engineer of HKRITA, takes us on a deep dive into the world of electrospinning technology and its impact on the textile industry: the fundamentals of nanomaterials, their transformative applications within the textile sector, as well as HKRITA's breakthrough in developing nanofibres using electrospinning technology. A must-listen for anyone eager to understand the future prospects and the ongoing challenges in integrating electrospinning technology into the textile industry.

February 2, 202612 min

AI-Powered Textile Recycling: The Path to a Sustainable Future [Mandarin audio]

Delve into the cutting-edge world of AI-powered textile recycling with Derek Lai, Senior Engineer at HKRITA. Discover how HKRITA is leading the charge in sustainable fashion through innovative research and development in garment recycling. Derek introduces the principles and goals of HKRITA, emphasizing their commitment to reducing textile waste. He elaborates on their groundbreaking Smart Garment Sorting Recycling System, which leverages AI to enhance sorting precision and efficiency, ensuring maximum resource recovery. Tune in to learn how this pioneering approach plays a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future for the textile industry.

January 19, 202628 min

Implementation and Practice of AI in Textile Fabric R&D Innovation [Mandarin audio]

In this episode, we bring together industry experts Derek Lai from HKRITA, Bo Yu from the Shenzhen Smart Manufacturing Industry Promotion Association, Bin Chen from Tanwu AI Technology (Guangdong) Co., Ltd., and Jieyu Zhong from Foshan Haotuo Information Technology Co., Ltd. The panel discusses the transformative power of AI in textile fabric research and development. Explore the opportunities and changes AI has sparked within their fields and the challenges of commercializing these technologies. The speakers also share valuable insights and customer feedback, highlighting the evolving demands of the industry. Discover how traditional textile sectors can transition into the realm of AI and IoT applications, driving innovation and efficiency. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the future of textile manufacturing and the integration of advanced technologies.

January 6, 202627 min

Circularity in Denim: New Business Models

As the inaugural programme in the Kingpins Show in Hangzhou, "Circularity in Denim: New Business Models features a panel discussion by industry experts including KK Chan from HKRITA, Philippe Li from The Mills Fabrica, Vincent Hu from TENCEL™ by Lenzing. Also, don't miss the sharing from Xenia Sidorenko of “useDEM,” who discusses the challenges and opportunities of scaling upcycled denim production in China. Tune in for an enlightening discussion!