Textile industry innovation: systematic review of key trends and particularities

Abstract

Innovation in the textile industry is a key strategic factor, influenced by geographic disparities, structural challenges, and rapid technological change. However, fragmented knowledge makes it difficult to fully understand the phenomenon. This study aimed to analyse how various types of innovation appear and interact in the global textile sector. A systematic literature review was carried out following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, using Scopus and Web of Science databases. From an initial pool of 94 articles, 19 met the inclusion criteria. Findings reveal that beyond specific advancements like automation or smart textiles, structural tensions hinder the integrated adoption of technological, organisational, and sustainability innovations. The diversity of analytical approaches shows there is no single, unified path to innovation in this sector. Instead, multiple innovation trajectories coexist, influenced by local conditions and unequal institutional capacities. In addition, knowledge gaps between developed and emerging regions, as well as the lack of focus on early stages of the supply chain, highlight the need to rethink research priorities. Ultimately, innovation in the textile industry must be understood as a comprehensive process that brings together technology, organisational change, and sustainability, requiring a holistic approach to improve competitiveness and ensure long-term transformation across the sector.