Walmart Plans To Handle Apparel Industry Waste With Fashion Tech Firm unspun, Discloses AI-Powered Logistics Solution

Walmart Inc. WMT on Thursday announced a pilot project with fashion tech company unspun to reduce the environmental impact of garment production.

The pilot project directly addresses concerns about waste in the apparel industry. Problems handled include fabric loss from traditional flat weaving, cutting, and garment assembly, and discarded extra inventory built to meet growing consumer demand.

“The technology we are piloting with unspun has the potential to unlock more skilled job creation in the U.S.,” said Andrea Albright, executive vice president, Sourcing, Walmart. 

In the pilot project, the two companies will explore how Unspun’s 3D weaving machines can be used to make workwear-style pants under a Walmart house brand. With 3D weaving, yarn is spun directly into completed garments.

unspun has an ambition to have 350 machines in the U.S. by 2030.

Walmart also launched an AI-powered logistics product that enhances the efficiency of the middle mile, allowing businesses to keep their customers’ desired products in stock more consistently.

Under this development, the AI-powered logistics technology Route Optimization is available to all businesses as a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution through Walmart Commerce Technologies.

In the latest development, Walmart Commerce Technologies now offers Route Optimization, an AI-powered logistics technology, as a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution to all businesses.

“We have invested significant time, resources and operational knowhow into building solutions like Route Optimization, but that can be a barrier for many businesses,” said Anshu Bhardwaj, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Walmart Global Tech and Walmart Commerce Technologies. 

“By adopting our at-scale, AI-powered tech, businesses can eliminate the need and expense of developing their own technology, and instead focus on what they do best – serve their customers,” Bhardwaj added.

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Price Action: WMT shares are trading lower by 0.05% to $61.04 on the last check Thursday.

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