Home
Research & Innovation
Acting as the gateway of textiles, colour and fashion research at the University, LITAC is focused on tackling global challenges in the fashion and textile industry. LITAC was established through a significant £21.1 million co-investment from The Clothworkers’ Company and the University of Leeds, supporting innovation in textile science, colour technology, and sustainable fashion.
LITAC actively contributes to research across the University of Leeds, with a notable focus on the crucial areas of textile and fashion research, connecting expert staff and postgraduate researchers.
LITAC actively contributes to research across the University of Leeds, with a notable focus on the crucial areas of textile and fashion research, connecting expert staff and postgraduate researchers.
Facilities
The Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) activities are supported by one of the most extensively equipped research facilities in the world.
We maintain an extensive range of research facilities and equipment for textile technology, colour science, textile and fashion design, as well as digital technology. These include a Chemistry Lab, a Yarn Spinning Lab, the Knitting and 3D Weaving Innovation Centre and more.
We maintain an extensive range of research facilities and equipment for textile technology, colour science, textile and fashion design, as well as digital technology. These include a Chemistry Lab, a Yarn Spinning Lab, the Knitting and 3D Weaving Innovation Centre and more.
Collaboration
Bringing together expertise from across a large academic community, LITAC tackles global challenges through collaborative research and innovation, working nationally and internationally with business, NGOs, and other academic institutions. We also work closely with The Clothworkers’ Centre for Textile Materials Innovation for Healthcare (CCTMIH), established through a generous grant from the Clothworkers’ Foundation—an organization founded by The Clothworkers’ Company in 1977 to support people and communities, particularly those facing disadvantage.
Our work focuses on developing innovative science and technology, new approaches and methods, including work on new polymers, textile materials, chemical treatments, manufacturing processes, testing methods and digital tools. Research and business engagement activities also include textile design, fashion design and marketing.
Our work focuses on developing innovative science and technology, new approaches and methods, including work on new polymers, textile materials, chemical treatments, manufacturing processes, testing methods and digital tools. Research and business engagement activities also include textile design, fashion design and marketing.
Continuing Legacy
Our expertise is built on a history of 150 years of research in textile technology and colour science, working together with industry, charities and Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) – including some of the world’s most well-known organisations and brands.
A longstanding relationship with the Clothworkers’ Company allows the University Leeds to continue its excellence in research innovation.
As a collaborative research institute, we work with partners to create solutions that address the needs of industry, society and the environment. We develop new materials, processes, manufacturing methods, digital tools and technology, and we inform decision-making.
A longstanding relationship with the Clothworkers’ Company allows the University Leeds to continue its excellence in research innovation.
As a collaborative research institute, we work with partners to create solutions that address the needs of industry, society and the environment. We develop new materials, processes, manufacturing methods, digital tools and technology, and we inform decision-making.