At the talk “Innovation and Sustainability in the Textile and Clothing Industry in the Green Capital”, Carolina Pinto, from the sales department of the knitted fabric specialist, advocated an approach in which product, identity and experience are becoming increasingly inseparable.
«Today, the purchasing process involves much more than simply acquiring a product», she stated. «People want to know the story behind the brand, how the product was developed, its environmental impact and its durability», she added.
Under the concept “Know. See. Create. Operate.”, Trimalhas is pursuing a strategy that combines technical know-how, observation of global trends and creative product development. The company believes innovation is no longer associated solely with technology or production, but it also depends on how brands communicate, inspire and create an emotional connection with consumers.
For this reason, it created a video featuring presenter Joana Barrios, which «reflects what we believe in: conscious fashion with identity, culture, authenticity and purpose», explained Carolina Pinto.
Observing consumer behaviour has become one of Trimalhas’ main development tools. The company monitors international trends, takes part in trade fairs, goes on inspiration trips and uses trend analysis platforms to anticipate changes in the market.
«Innovation is about anticipating needs and adapting them to a market that is constantly changing», she argued. «Consumers are looking for much more than just the product», she stressed, namely transparency, responsibility, quality and purpose.
Creativity is also linked to product development. The company currently works with functional fibres and bio-based raw materials, including Umorfil, Sorona, Seacell and technologies related to thermal comfort and physical well-being. Produced from fish scales, Umorfil is associated with moisturising and antibacterial properties, as well as skin comfort. Sorona is a fibre derived from renewable sources, while Seacell results from the incorporation of seaweed into cellulosic fibres.
But innovation at Trimalhas goes beyond raw materials. The company is also using artificial intelligence to develop product presentations, visual simulations and creative campaigns aimed at brands and designers.
«Today, it is not enough to create a product with value; that value has to be communicated», maintained Carolina Pinto. «Innovation creates value and marketing communicates that value to the market», she noted.
Investments in sustainability
At the industrial level, the company continues to invest in technology. Examples presented include systems that detect broken needles using laser technology, capable of automatically stopping production in the event of a fault, and new automated finished knitted fabric inspection solutions to monitor colour uniformity throughout the roll.
In research and development, Trimalhas also highlighted the importance of directly observing consumer behaviour in areas such as sports, streetwear, protection and physical and emotional well-being.
Another strategic pillar involves creative collaborations with designers and artists such as Constança Entrudo, Adrien Michel, David Catalán and Archie Dickens, which, according to the company, enable knowledge sharing. «Innovation also involves sharing creativity and different visions and ideas», she noted.
Sustainability is also embedded in the company’s strategy through the use of traceable raw materials, material recycling, solar panels, electric vehicles and decarbonisation projects – namely the installation of a biomass boiler – under way at the dyehouse acquired by Trimalhas last year.
«Innovation has been our watchword for several years», concluded Carolina Pinto.
