India’s textile major Arvind Limited has entered into a strategic partnership with US-based fashion technology company unspun to introduce its proprietary OneWeave™ 3D weaving technology into industrial-scale apparel manufacturing.
The collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies, as Arvind becomes the first global Tier-1 manufacturing partner to install unspun’s 3D weaving technology in an established production environment, moving the platform beyond its own microfactory operations.
Under the agreement, Arvind will install two OneWeave™ machines at its Ahmedabad facility, with commercial operations expected to begin by December 2026. The partnership also outlines a phased expansion plan involving more than 30 additional machines across India and/or North America during 2027–28, depending on demand from global apparel brands.
Transforming the traditional apparel manufacturing process
OneWeave™ uses an innovative yarn-to-garment manufacturing process in which yarn is woven directly into three-dimensional garment forms. Unlike conventional cut-and-sew manufacturing, the technology eliminates the need for separate two-dimensional fabric production and significantly reduces cutting and sewing operations.
According to the companies, a pant leg can be woven in approximately 10 minutes, while each machine has an estimated annual production capacity of around 20,000 pants.
The technology is designed to simplify manufacturing, improve material utilisation and reduce fabric waste, while enabling brands to respond more quickly to changing consumer demand.
Partnership to accelerate demand-driven manufacturing
As part of the collaboration, unspun will provide machine installation, commissioning, training, software and ongoing technical support. Arvind will operate the machines, while global apparel brands will work directly with Arvind to develop and manufacture garments using the technology.
The initial deployment will begin with two machines, with the possibility of expanding capacity through additional installations as brand demand develops. The companies have indicated that global apparel brands are already preparing programmes for the new manufacturing capacity.
Leadership perspectives
Commenting on the partnership, Arne Arens, Chair of the Board at unspun,
described the collaboration as an important step towards scaling the company’s technology globally. He highlighted the opportunity to establish more responsive manufacturing systems that allow brands to react to consumer demand in weeks rather than months.
Karan Ojha, CEO – Wovens Business & COE at Arvind Limited, said that
innovation has remained central to Arvind’s growth strategy. He highlighted the potential of OneWeave™ to reduce manufacturing complexity, improve material utilisation and support faster replenishment cycles for international apparel brands.
Implications for the global apparel industry
The partnership could have wider implications for the global textile and apparel supply chain.
Traditional manufacturing relies on multiple stages, including fabric production, cutting, stitching and finishing. By integrating yarn formation and garment construction into a single technology-driven process, 3D weaving could offer manufacturers an alternative production model.
For apparel brands, the potential advantages include:
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Shorter production and replenishment lead times.
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Reduced fabric waste and improved material utilisation.
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Lower exposure to excess inventory and markdowns.
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Greater flexibility in production volumes.
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Opportunities for manufacturing closer to key consumer markets.
As fashion companies increasingly explore automation, nearshoring and demand-led production, the Arvind–unspun partnership represents an important development in the evolution of apparel manufacturing.