Posted on August 4, 2021 by Nick Farrell - News The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) is working with IBM, Tech Data, and the Future Fashion Factory to design, prototype and pilot a new technology platform to help the UK fashion and textile industry dress up the supply chain and make it more environmentally friendly. Retailers Next, H&M, N Brown, New Look, COS and yarn manufacturer Laxtons will be part of the initial pilot. The Sustainable Supply Chain Optimisation project has been awarded £1.4 million funding by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, on behalf of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) Manufacturing Made Smarter Challenge.