The textile industry uses a lot of resources, from water-heavy cotton to fabrics that end up in landfills.
In Porto, Smartex.ai is showing that being eco-friendly and making money can work together. They use AI cameras on textile machines to spot problems as they happen, stopping waste before it even leaves the loom.
Smartex was started in 2018 after some initial tests in a university apartment.
It has grown quickly, raising more than €40 million, expanding to ten countries, and teaming up with big fashion and retail companies. Their Smartex Loop platform adds digital tracking, so brands and customers can see where materials come from and how sustainable the process is.
Smartex runs on a SaaS model and makes about €3 million each year.
They plan to double their income every year. Since only a small part of the global textile market is covered now, there's a lot of room for growth. Being recognized by Forbes Portugal shows a clear message: the future of textile production can be smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable.
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