On December 20, 2024, neotex 4.0 center held a closing event to mark the conclusion of the first phase of its activities, highlighting the progress made in supporting Tunisian textile companies in their transition towards Industry 4.0.
Held at Neotex Monastir Technopark, the event brought together key players in the industrial transition of the Textile & Clothing & Technical Textiles sector, such as institutional partners, experts, manufacturers and other stakeholders.
A Strategic Milestone for the Transformation of the Textile Sector
The primary goal of this gathering was to spark discussions about the neotex 4.0 center’s role in transitioning the textile industry toward Industry 4.0. The event showcased the center’s services, including company audits and support, training programs, and awareness raising campaigns. It also presented the outcomes achieved during the first phase of activities and outlined plans for medium and long term sustainability.
One of the event’s highlights was the official inauguration of the OpenLab neotex 4.0, a space dedicated to experimenting and prototyping innovative technological solutions.
The event also featured the signing of a collaboration agreement between MFCPOLE, the General Direction of Textile and Apparel (DGTH) at the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy, and the Textile Technical Center (CETTEX). The agreement covers the creation of a technology watch unit.
Insightful Discussions on Sector Transformation
The event featured three roundtables that tackled key topics for the sector:
- Supporting textile companies in their transition towards Industry 4.0,
- The key role of training in the transformation process,
- Perspectives on the sustainability of neotex 4.0 center.
The discussions highlighted the challenges associated with digitizing the sector, and suggested solutions to support manufacturers in this process.
Experts and stakeholders shared their experiences during the roundtables, demonstrating the real impact of the initiatives implemented by neotex 4.0 center.
Testimonials from KW Manufacturing, a garment manufacturing company, and 3D Wave, a technology provider, showcased the concrete results of these initiatives. The two entities are collaborating on a center-led program to co-finance the development of a quality control solution for the garment manufacturer. This partnership underscores the impact of the center’s actions.
Denim House, a division of the SARTEX Group, also presented a virtual reality (VR)-based solution it has developed. This technology, far beyond its entertainment value, enables the virtual development and showcasing of textile collections, opening new horizons for the industry.
Another high point of the event was the presentation of the training service provided by the center. Training is essential to enhance the skills of manufacturers and prepare them for the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution. neotex 4.0 center staff highlighted the success stories and expectations of participants, underlining the importance of this approach for the future of the textile sector, not only for manufacturers but also for other stakeholders.
The Future of neotex 4.0 center and the Tunisian Textile Industry
The event also provided an opportunity to consolidate the center’s strategic partnerships, namely with GIZ, Deloitte Tunisia and the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, who expressed their support for the initiative and shared their respective visions for the project’s future.
As part of the national initiative “Towards Industry 4.0 in Tunisia”, this event provided an opportunity to discuss the synergies and complementarity between the various components of the initiative, particularly the prospect of setting up a national platform bringing together all stakeholders involved in the transition towards an Industry 4.0 on a national scale.
This event clearly demonstrated the Neotex 4.0 Center’s commitment to transforming the Tunisian textile industry by promoting the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and providing training tailored to the sector’s needs. The initiatives put in place, from business support to training, pave the way for a more competitive, resilient textile industry ready to tackle future challenges.
This action is part of the National Initiative “Towards Industry 4.0 in Tunisia,” launched by the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy with the support of the European Union and the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” – Invest for Jobs, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ Tunisia.
