Abstract
"In several industries the concept of Microfactories has been developed and their potentials are still subject
of research and development. Also in the Textile and Clothing Industry this concept of a digitally networked
end-to-end digital design and production process finds its first realizations in different applications. Such a
Digital Textile Microfactory can cover a complete value creating chain comprising all design and production
steps from the customer to the ready-made product. It relies on virtual models of the process steps involved,
as well as of the materials, the products, and the customers. The digital backbone allows for speed, efficiency,
high quality, and deep consumer interaction leading to a great innovation potential in a wide area of
applications and Business Models. They range from B2B types, where they can support and speed up the
prototyping phase of product development (sampling) up to B2C settings for the innovative production of
individualized products, including reordering as well as event-driven production and locally centred
production. But in spite of the potential benefits of a Digital Textile Microfactory, there are still just a few
realizations seen in the industry due to investment risks and uncertainty with regards to new Business
Models.
The goal of this paper is to explore Business Model scenarios for a Digital Textile Microfactory that uses
digital textile printing as a core process. We first describe the economic characteristics of the Textile and
Clothing Industry, and then the digital technology and process underlying such a Digital Textile
Microfactory. Based on this description, we then explore different B2B and B2C application scenarios –
developed in previous European and German research projects – and settings for related Business Models.
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