TexQualis – Color and Structural Defect Quality Control
Project Description
The TexQualis project addresses the critical challenges currently faced by the textile industry. Despite its national relevance, textile production suffers from high levels of waste due to structural defects and colour variations at various stages of the production chain. These issues affect the quality of the final product and increase production costs, while also having a significant environmental impact — contributing to pollution and intensive use of resources.
TexQualis aims to mitigate these challenges through the research and development of an innovative inspection system that combines advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine vision technologies to detect, in real time, both structural defects and colour variations. Currently, the systems available on the market address these functionalities in a fragmented way, specialising in only one of the areas. The proposed approach is a pioneering and disruptive solution, combining both functions in a single piece of equipment, redefining standards of quality, efficiency and traceability in the textile sector. Additionally, the project is aligned with the principles of sustainability and the circular economy, by promoting more efficient production and reducing waste of materials, water and energy.
The solution developed will have a significant economic and environmental impact, positioning itself as a decisive contribution to the modernisation and digitalisation of the textile industry. The TexQualis project will be developed over 24 months, involving 6 R&D activities — from technology analysis, hardware and software development, through to industrial validation of the solution, as well as project management and dissemination of results. These activities will be carried out by a consortium comprising: (i) Smartex: lead promoter, specialised in inspection and automation technologies; (ii) CeNTI: a reference R&D institute in materials and intelligent systems; (iii) Acatel: a textile company with experience in validating technological solutions in a real environment. The collaboration between these entities ensures an integrated and multidisciplinary approach, combining scientific and industrial knowledge to develop and validate a solution that directly addresses the needs of the sector.
General Objective
Develop and validate an integrated intelligent textile inspection system, capable of combining structural and chromatic analysis in a single industrial piece of equipment, using artificial intelligence and computer vision technologies.
Technical-Scientific Objectives
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OTC1 – Identify the main defects in the textile dyeing and finishing phases;
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OTC2 – Develop an integrated inspection system combining structural and chromatic analysis using AI;
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OTC3 – Design cameras and industrial lighting systems optimised for precise defect detection;
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OTC4 – Create machine learning algorithms for automatic identification of colour variations and structural defects;
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OTC5 – Implement and validate the inspection system at critical stages of the textile production process;
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OTC6 – Integrate inspection data with business systems for intelligent management and process optimisation.
Expected Results
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Functional prototype validated in an industrial environment (TRL 6)
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Introduction of product/process innovations
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Creation of qualified employment in R&D activities
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Potential strengthening of the competitiveness and international positioning of the solution
Consortium
The TexQualis project is developed in consortium by three entities with complementary competencies, ensuring full coverage of the R&D cycle, from scientific research to industrial validation in a real environment.
SMARTEX EUROPE, UNIPESSOAL LDA (Lead)
Eligible Investment: €698,040.00 | Approved Support: €491,085.55 | Support Rate: 70.35%
CENTITVC – Centre for Nanotechnology and Technical, Functional and Intelligent Materials
Eligible Investment: €380,487.20 | Approved Support: €323,414.12 | Support Rate: 85.00%
ACATEL – Acabamentos Têxteis S.A.
Eligible Investment: €251,516.00 | Approved Support: €168,799.46 | Support Rate: 67.11%
Funding
Project funded by the NORTE 2030 Regional Programme, under the System of Incentives for Business Research and Development (Co-promoted R&D), co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
