Nova Scotia tech firm disrupting the fashion world

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

Seddi Canada to transform apparel industry with textile simulation technology

October 23, 2020 · Halifax, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Seddi Canada, a Halifax-based start-up company, has created a sustainable solution to tackle a worldwide textile waste problem. The company’s digital platform creates fully-detailed, photorealistic three-dimensional (3D) simulations of garments and fabrics that accurately demonstrate how the material would behave in reality.

Federal government supports scale-up of Atlantic Canadian tech start-up

The Honourable Geoff Regan, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, today announced a repayable contribution of $477,075 for Seddi Canada ULC (Seddi Canada) to prepare its prototype textile simulation software and hardware for the market.

The technology’s accurate fabric models will allow brands to design and assemble digital clothing samples without using a single piece of material, reducing the time to get the product to market from months to days. It will also eliminate the need for shipping and expensive fabric samples, which often go unused, significantly reducing development costs and related environmental impacts.

Today’s announcement is further proof of the Government of Canada’s commitment to Canadian innovators and clean technology. Projects, like Seddi Canada’s, help demonstrate how Atlantic Canada can grow a sustainable and prosperous economy now and for years to come. 

Quotes

“Once again, a Canadian start-up is proving to be an innovation leader. Our government is proud to support entrepreneurs who develop pioneering solutions to address environmental challenges in the apparel industry. This will further support the transition to renewable resource management and efficient production processes leading to a more sustainable future for Canadians while creating good jobs as we build back better.”

-       The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Seddi Canada is redefining business models in the apparel industry and defying physical limitations to build a more sustainable future. By creating digital clothing samples, Seddi Canada is creating the technology and leading the way for the future of fashion and retail, from right here in Atlantic Canada.”

-     The Honourable Geoff Regan, Member of Parliament for Halifax West 

“The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on apparel has been swift and dramatic, storefronts have closed and supply chains halted. This has increased the demand for digitally based supply chain solutions. ACOA’s support has helped Seddi accelerate product development and evolve beyond our research roots to deliver solutions that address our customers’ needs today and help them shape a new future.”

 - Alan Murray, Vice President Products and Co-President, Seddi Canada ULC 

Quick facts

  • According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the $2 trillion (USD) apparel industry creates 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

  • The industry is the second largest polluter on the planet, creating more emissions from textile production than those of all international flights and maritime shipping combined.

  • Some 12.8 millions tons of clothing end up in landfills annually. 
  • The textile dyeing process takes approximately 2,700 liters of water to dye one t-shirt, making it the second largest polluter of water, globally.

  • The funding announced today is provided through ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, which helps businesses adopt innovative technologies that support scale-up, productivity, and competitiveness.

Contacts

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic
Development and Official Languages
Catherine.Mounier-Desrochers@canada.ca

Alan Murray
VP Product & Co-President
Seddi Canada ULC
902-452-2343
Alan.murray@seddi.com

Chris Brooks
Communications Director, Nova Scotia
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-830-3839
chris.brooks@canada.ca

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