Manufacturing Technologies. What Will Change in the Next 5 Years?

Clothing manufacturing has remained largely conservative for decades: the same patterns, the same sewing machines, the same supply chains. But today, a new wave of breakthroughs is on the horizon — from 3D-printed textiles and digital design to automated ateliers and “smart” factories built around an on-demand production model. These technologies promise not only to speed up production, but also to dramatically reduce waste, personalize products, and bring manufacturing closer to the consumer. However, adopting them requires major investment, new skill sets, and a complete rethink of logistics and supply chain infrastructure. Which of these promises will actually become reality within the next 5 years, and which will remain limited to expensive experimental labs?

• Which manufacturing technologies are at the peak of maturity and ready for large-scale adoption in the coming years (3D printing, automated cutting, robotic assembly, digital twins)?
• How does the value chain change as the industry moves from mass production to on-demand and hyper-personalization models?
• How are new materials (bioengineering, recycled fibers, “smart” fabrics) transforming manufacturing processes and expanding design possibilities?
• What barriers hinder the adoption of new technologies in BRICS+ countries (equipment costs, workforce skills, energy efficiency, regulatory constraints)?
• How does the digitization of manufacturing affect localization and the shortening of supply chains — will it make BRICS+ countries less dependent on imports?
• Which jobs in the manufacturing value chain will disappear, and which new ones will emerge? How should businesses and education systems prepare for this transformation?