NIST · NIST AI
New Fabric Reference Material Could Help Strengthen Domestic Supply Chain for Textiles and Clothing
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Though more than half of all clothing and other textiles are suitable for recycling, most of them aren’t repurposed.
Key facts
- Known as Research Grade Test Material (RGTM) 10279, Textiles for Feedstock Identification, it consists of a set of five fabric squares, 4 inches (10.2 centimeters) on a side, made from different
- The RGTM is available free at the NIST Store until July 30, 2026, in exchange for feedback and participation in the study, which ends Sept. 30, 2026
- For example, if a brand is buying a fabric that is 100% cotton, but it ends up being a cotton-polyester blend, then they would like to know that difference,” said NIST guest researcher Katarina
- Standards like this RGTM help improve textile identification and sorting, which supports advances in AI-enabled sorting of textiles and U.S manufacturing and industry
Summary
To increase the speed and efficiency of the sorting process, the textile industry is turning to artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a set of textile materials that the research community can use to improve methods for identifying the fibers in textiles. “This textile material will help validate sorting methods and make textile sorters’ measurements comparable from one center to another,” said NIST materials research engineer Amanda Forster. At most recycling centers, workers use handheld scanners to shine light on a piece of clothing.