LITERATURE REVIEW: IMPLEMENTATION OF TECHNOLOGY IN

RAW MATERIAL COMPONENTS AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES

WITHIN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY

Astrid Rivas Aryanie Villanueva Lorenzo Gabriela Barrera Escobar

Facultad de Ingeniería Facultad de Ingeniería Facultad de Ingeniería
Universidad Tecnológica Universidad Tecnológica Universidad Tecnológica
2024 IEEE Central America and Panama Student Conference (CONESCAPAN) | 979-8-3503-7759-0/24/$31.00 ©2024 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/CONESCAPAN62181.2024.10891116

Centroamérica UNITEC Centroamérica UNITEC Centroamérica UNITEC

San Pedro Sula, Honduras San Pedro Sula, Honduras San Pedro Sula, Honduras
astridrivas@unitec.edu aryanie_lorenzo@unitec.edu Gaby_14@unitec.edu

María Elena Perdomo

Facultad de Ingeniería
Universidad Tecnológica
Centroamérica UNITEC
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
maria_perdomo@unitec.edu

Abstract—The textile industry is the second-largest industry in

Despite being one of the largest sectors and a primary
the world, surpassed only by food production. To promote economic source for various countries, it also generates
improvements and reduce resource usage, various technologies significant issues such as workplace accidents, environmental
have been implemented. This research was based on a pollution, overuse of resources, among others.
quantitative methodology that, through data collection, allowed Technology has been a key factor for continuous
for an analysis to determine the proportion of technology improvement in these areas. Among the technologies with the
application and the types of technologies used in the textile greatest impact in the industry are nanotechnology, automation,
industry. The collected data revealed that the proportion of
technology application in the textile industry is 45%. These robotics, and various engineering innovations. This project aims
technologies include nanotechnology, 3D printing, artificial to present a review of the use of technology in the textile
intelligence, automation, and robotics. Nanotechnology is the industry, identifying the extent of its application and the types
most widely applied technology, mainly focusing on raw material of technologies implemented.
components. Automation is the second most frequently applied
technology, encompassing processes, production, and machinery. Analyses will be conducted based on the components of the
The study also included a census of countries and years of study.
It was established that the most significant studies on technology
textile industry and the technologies applied to them, illustrated
implementation are carried out in the Americas. Furthermore, it through specific examples. Additionally, countries with the
was concluded that most studies have been conducted from 2019 most studies in this area will be analyzed, along with their
to the present. Although the proportion of technology application relationship with the years and technologies applied. Therefore,
has existed for many years, it has increased significantly in the objective of this research is to determine the percentage of
recent times due to reduced resource usage, increased efficiency, technology implemented in the raw material components and
and decreased environmental impact. Finally, an analysis was production processes in the textile industry since 2018.
conducted on technology implementation in Honduras and its
importance within the country. The results showed that,
according to the literature review, Honduras does not present
relevant technological application in the textile sector. II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Index Terms— Automation, Raw Materials, Resources,

A. Textile Industry
Technological Advances, Textile Industry. The textile industry is comprised of a variety of elements
focused on production. It includes stages and processes that are
fundamental to product development [1]. According to [2], the
I. INTRODUCTION
textile industry consists of a variety of technologies, inputs,
The textile industry is a crucial sector whose activities techniques, and more, which involve the use of natural
significantly contribute to the economy of all developing materials. These diverse materials are processed within
countries. Technology has enabled the advancement of this factories, resulting in fibers such as polyester, polyamide,
industry, achieving more efficient processes and productions polyethylene, among others, which are then used in the
with less environmental impact. manufacturing process.

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 The textile industry is made up of materials, chemicals, and C. Textile Fibers
various machinery that enable the proper processing to obtain
finished products and ideas [3]. There is a variety of existing fibers, including natural,
synthetic, and artificial fibers. All of these are frequently used
B. History of the Textile Industry within the industry. It is important to consider that not all fibers
are suitable for being classified as "textile" fibers. To be
The textile industry gained importance during the Industrial classified as textiles, these fibers must be able to withstand
Revolution in various countries around the 18th century. processes such as stretching, bending, and cutting [12]. This
Similarly, it emerged in many other countries in the 21st means they must possess characteristics that make them
century. suitable for undergoing textile processes to form fabrics and
threads [13].
In all these instances, it has been a driver of employment D. Natural Fibers
opportunities and growth [4]. In Europe, the textile industry
Natural fibers are those obtained from animal or plant
gained momentum in the 21st century. The European Union is
sources. There are various types of natural fibers, including
also known as the leading exporter of textile products. Europe
those of animal origin, such as from sheep, rabbits, beavers,
is recognized as the main manufacturer of equipment used for
and goats, for example. They can also be of plant origin, such
textile production [5]. In 1999, textile production and garment
as jute, cotton, and linen. These fibers are particularly
manufacturing in the European market accounted for
important in the manufacture of paper and fabrics.
approximately 46%.
Additionally, there are fibers derived from wood and minerals
In this continent, textile production is carried out on a larger [14].
scale and with a greater advantage in garment manufacturing
E. Chemical Fibers
[6]. In 2015, the industry generated a sales volume of around
169 billion euros. It is noteworthy that in terms of Synthetic fibers are obtained through the chemical
investments, exports, and profits, textiles are the main sources modification of natural cellulosic fibers. Around 1965, the
within the European sector [7]. The main producers are Italy, production of synthetic fiber was valued at two million tons
France, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Bulgaria, and [15]. The number of synthetic fibers emerging in the market is
Poland. increasing daily, each with its own properties and uses.
Among the classes of synthetic fibers, the most common are
generally composed of nylon, polyester, and polypropylene
[16]. Nylon differs from polyester and polyethylene as it has
the property of retaining moisture at 4.5%. It also has chemical
fiber bonds, while the other two have mechanical bonds.
Polyester tends to disintegrate in an alkaline environment and
is used less frequently than polypropylene. Polypropylene is
one of the most used; it does not absorb water and usually
comes in small fibers or monofilaments [17].
F. Processes
Fig. 1. The main producers in Europe. [8]. Production systems that seek to gain a competitive
advantage must improve their production processes [18]. The
In Honduras, the textile industry began in the 1970s and textile industry is based on the production of fiber products,
expanded significantly in the 1980s. The industry's value usually carried out through labor-intensive processes [19].
increased from $210 million in 1992 to $1.006 billion in 1995.
Garment manufacturing is the driving force of the Honduran
maquiladora industry, accounting for 99% of export activities
[9]. This industry offers the most labor jobs, with
approximately 146,000 direct labor jobs and around 500,000
indirect jobs [10].
Honduras ranks as the leading exporter of T-shirts to the
United States, second in sweatshirt exports, and fifth in cotton
shirt exports to the market. It is also the largest buyer of yarn
from the United States, representing 23% of U.S. yarn sales
[11].

Fig. 2. Production Processes

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 G. Spinning K. Finishing
Yarn is produced through spinning. Yarn constitutes the Chemical finishing processes for fabrics involve applying
primary raw material in textile fabric manufacturing. This is the chemical substance, performing a drying process, and
done through a flyer and ring, where the yarn is spun finally curing. Each part of the process can influence the
sequentially. treatment [26]. The textile finishing process includes physical
or chemical treatments that are used to achieve improved
The ring spinning process depends on factors such as
appearance and texture to obtain better market results [27].
rotational speed and pressure [20]. This is done using a
continuous textile fiber, commonly made of linen, wool, silk, L. Cutting
cotton, among others.
The cutting process in garment manufacturing is based on
cutting a pattern in the material. This is done using a blade that
generally moves vertically in the Z direction and horizontally
in the X direction. It uses direction and pattern alignment [28].
Fig. 3. Spinning Process
Most activities performed during fabric cutting were carried
out by human labor. Nowadays, steps such as planning, tracing,
H. Weaving and cutting are considered in an automated manner [29].
Weaving consists of interlacing threads at right angles to M. Sewing
form a fabric. These threads generally run on weaving
Sewing fabrics refers to the ability to sew them qualitatively
machines that move longitudinally through the machine [21].
and quantitatively. These seams are the foundation of garment
The structure of the fabrics allows for variations in lengths
construction and ensure their quality. Within this process, there
and distributions, as well as control over a variety of patterns
are a variety of defects that affect the durability, strength,
and properties [22].
stretch, and appearance of the garment [30].
N. Implemented Technologies. Industrial Automation
Industrial automation refers to the use of technology and
Fig. 4. Weaving Process
computing applied to production processes. In the textile
industry, automation has been implemented for various
I. Dyeing
processes. One of the applications is automated weaving
Dyes can be defined as substances capable of providing through computer-controlled systems. Automation has been the
color through various processes. In these processes, dyes can most notable in machinery in the industry [31].
adhere to all compatible surfaces and materials through
covalent bonds. It is estimated that around 10,000 dyes are
O. Biotechnology
used in industry worldwide [23]. Biotechnology can be defined as the application of
engineering and technology that allow for altering biological
processes to create products. In the textile industry,
biotechnology has served as the basis for various technologies
to improve compounds that are not easily degraded. These are
typically useful for dyes in use [32]. Biotechnology has
provided the opportunity to develop new processes with less
Fig. 5. Dyeing Process energy consumption and based on more natural raw materials.
This technology involves natural sciences with engineering
[33].
J. Printing
P. Artificial Intelligence
Printing is one of the most frequent processes in the textile
Artificial intelligence can be described as the science and
industry. In this process, color and design are added to all
engineering of creating intelligent machines. It is achieved
fibers and fabrics used for garment making. These designs are
through computerized systems that aim to provide results akin
created through repeating modules with different techniques,
to human labor. This intelligence is capable of learning,
allowing for a variety of printed results [24]. This is
making decisions, adapting, and correcting [34]. Artificial
considered one of the most complex operations in the textile
intelligence operates by analyzing the environment and seeks
industry, involving vast amounts of dyes and chemical
to achieve the goals for which it is designed. It is based on
auxiliaries [25].
machine learning, which refers to the system's ability to
improve its performance without a human explaining how to
perform the activities [35].

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 B. Technologies Implemented in Components of the Textile
III. METHODOLOGY Industry
The methodology for studying the use of technology in the
The types of technologies implemented stem from various
textile industry involves employing various techniques and
components, including labor, raw materials, machinery, and
tools for defining the problem, collecting data, analyzing, and
more. The following are the components with the greatest
presenting results. The first step was to define the research
focus within the data review and the technologies that go hand
problem, which focuses on the application of technologies in
in hand with them.
the textile industry. Specific variables were established for
this phenomenon, allowing for quantifiable results based on
thorough research of the topic.

Data collection involves gathering information from various

sources to establish a solid foundation for the research, which
will be properly analyzed. Primary sources for data collection
include scientific research articles, books, repositories, and
scientific journals. Notable databases include ScienceDirect,
Elsevier, DialNet, Springer, and SciELO. Data segmentation
was conducted using Google Forms, utilizing a form designed
to gather the necessary information for a thorough analysis of
the sources. Information review was carried out considering
publication years, country of study, technology type,
addressed issues, and key points.

For this research, a descriptive data analysis was

Fig. 7. Component Focus Graph
conducted, where the information obtained was represented
through graphs and tables. This was done to verify the
established variables for the research. Furthermore, statistics Raw material stands out as the most relevant component of
were used as a quantifiable measure to define the proportion the textile industry. This encompasses all elements such as
of technology application within the textile industry. dyes, fabrics, threads, among others. Similarly, it includes the
cultivation of materials to produce fabrics and threads. The
highest weighting within the raw material category is
IV. RESULTS attributed to fibers, which consist of both natural and chemical
fibers.
A. Proportion of Technology in the Textile Industry

Technology within the textile industry has been used to

make improvements in production processes. This has
resulted in mitigated impacts for various effects produced by
the industry. The analysis of the proportion of applied
technology was carried out through collected literature.
Based on this, it was determined that the quantity of scientific
documents referring to technology implemented in the textile
industry is 45%. The remaining percentage refers to concepts,
history, importance, and elements of the textile industry.

Fig. 8. Raw Materials Graph

C.Other Implementations in Manufacturing

Automation is the primary source of improvements within
the production processes of the textile industry. The
implementation of automation is particularly prominent in
machinery and production processes. Automation has gone
hand in hand with the implementation of robotics within the
production area of the industry. The implementation of robotics
and automation has driven increased efficiency, error reduction,
Fig. 6. Technology Proportion
and lower production costs [37].
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 parent brands in Central America or the United States. It is
worth noting that Honduras also ranks as one of the leading
exporters of textiles, including silk, cotton, and other plant
fibers [38].

Fig. 9. Industrial Robot Installations

Fig. 11. Major Suppliers to the United States

D. Variable Relationships
All technology implementations have been variably studied In Honduras, the textile industry has had a significant impact
based on different years and countries. on job creation and opportunities. Employment rates have
remained above 100,000 people since 1998. Over time, various
external problems such as natural disasters, economic crises,
and political crises have affected these rates, but the margin
continues to remain above 100,000, except for the year 1995
with 65,000 people employed.

Fig. 10. Weighting of Publication Years

Fig. 12. Employment in the Honduran Textile Industry (Thousands)
The majority of analyzed data is concentrated between the
years 2022, 2020, and 2019. These represent 7%, 11%, and
10% respectively. For publications in 2022, the countries V. CONCLUSIONS
under study are the United States, United Arab Emirates, and
Ecuador. In 2020, China, Vietnam, India, and Slovenia stand The textile industry is one of the most prominent sectors in
out. Finally, Spain and China comprise the studies for 2019. any developing country. This sector offers the opportunity to
For the following countries, the highest proportions boost the economy through large-scale production and job
correspond to the study of technology. creation for the population. Given its constant growth and great
potential, it is essential to implement continuous improvements.
These improvements are closely tied to technological support,
E. Honduras which has become the main driver of innovation and
development in the textile industry.
Honduras plays a significant role in the textile and garment
manufacturing industry. Its activities primarily focus on the The proportion of technology application in the textile
components and production phases thereof. Most productions industry has increased significantly due to the growing need to
within Honduras
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