Circular Innovations is excited to collaborate with Hogeschool Utrecht’s AI & Data Analytics Department on a new pilot project tackling deadstock fabric and production inefficiencies in the fashion industry.
Starting September 2025, the project will officially become part of the student curriculum. Circular Innovations will work closely with HU students and AI and data science experts to explore how smart technologies can help fashion brands reduce waste and optimize production processes.
This hands-on collaboration offers students real-world experience while supporting Circular Innovations’ mission to drive practical, circular solutions for the industry. The pilot will begin in September 2025 and invites a select group of fashion brands to participate.
The Deadstock Challenge in Fashion
Every year, millions of meters of unused fabric—known as deadstock—are discarded after production. In the fashion industry, it’s standard to overorder 3–10% more fabric to accommodate cutting or stitching errors. But when production runs smoothly, these leftovers often remain unused due to seasonality, limited reuse potential, and shifting trends.
Deadstock is largely invisible to consumers but has a major environmental and financial impact. It drives up production costs, generates unnecessary CO₂ emissions, and clogs warehouse space—offering no value in return.
An Innovative, Data-Driven Solution
This pilot project focuses on prevention rather than post-production recycling. Circular Innovations and Hogeschool Utrecht are developing a smart system that uses AI-powered forecasting to predict fabric surplus per order and recommend smarter sourcing strategies to avoid waste from the start.
The solution also includes:
- Automated legal agreement generation between supply chain stakeholders (brands, manufacturers, material suppliers)
- A real-time dashboard that visualizes the environmental and financial impact per order
- Tools designed to support compliance with CSRD and other sustainability regulations
Initial analyses suggest the software can reduce fabric waste by an average of 5% per production order and lower cost price per garment by 2–3%.
Benefits for Pilot Participants
Brands joining the pilot will receive:
- Early access to cutting-edge fabric management tools
- Measurable cost savings and sustainability impact insights
- Strategic support from Circular Innovations and academic researchers
- Ready-to-use data for CSRD and ESG reporting
This pilot offers brands the opportunity to be at the forefront of data-driven circular innovation—combining academic validation with hands-on industry application.
About Hogeschool Utrecht
Hogeschool Utrecht is a leading applied sciences university in the Netherlands, known for its expertise in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and sustainable innovation. This collaboration reflects its commitment to bridging the gap between research, education, and real-world impact.
Interested fashion brands can sign up to participate in the pilot by filling out this form or scheduling an introduction call here.
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