HKUST, Crystal Group, and HKRITA Signed Framework Agreement
Pioneering AI-Driven Smart Manufacturing for Textile Industry
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has signed a tripartite framework agreement with global apparel manufacturer Crystal International Group Limited (Crystal Group) and the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) to integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) throughout the textile production process. By developing industry-specific large language model Textile-GPT for textiles, the collaboration aims to enhance intelligent design, optimize production process, streamline supply chain management, automate quality inspections, and foster innovation in smart wearables.
The three parties will also establish a Textile AI Innovation Hub, promote AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS), and cultivate cross-disciplinary "AI + Textiles" talent. This collaboration will strengthen global AI adoption in the textile industry, support the upgrade and transformation of manufacturing processes through technological innovation, and ultimately realize the vision of smart manufacturing. These initiatives will further propel Hong Kong's advancement in cultivating new quality productive forces and bolster the city’s competitiveness.
Advancing from Textile Hub to Industrial AI Implementation
With the rapid evolution of AI technology, large language model-powered AI Agents have become core drivers of industrial transformation. The collaboration between HKUST, Crystal Group, and HKRITA aims to leverage the strengths of industry, academia, and R&D to expedite industrial upgrading and transformation. This collaboration will enhance industrial automation and promote sustainable practices across the $1.5 trillion global textile industry, focusing on three key areas:
• Industry-Specific Large Language Model Development: Leveraging HKUST’s AI expertise, HKRITA’s industry knowledge, and Crystal Group’s manufacturing data, the partners will jointly develop a textile industry-specific large language model. The initiative will build knowledge graphs covering materials science, process efficiency, and market intelligence to facilitate data-driven decision-making across the industry.
• AI Agents for Textile Applications: Utilizing multimodal large language models will accelerate the design of new fiber materials and the development of functional textiles, streamline production workflows and supply chain management, and enhance quality inspection capabilities and efficiency.
• Smart Wearables & Sustainable Innovation: Exploring applications of large language models in smart apparel design, personalized consumer demand analysis, and virtual fitting, while also developing AI-driven green manufacturing and circular economy solutions.
Comprehensive Development: Lab, Industry, and Talent Ecosystem
To facilitate the collaboration, HKUST, Crystal Group, and HKRITA are joining forces to establish the Textile AI Innovation Hub, aiming to drive R&D and test large model intelligence. The partnership will also explore the deployment of these technologies across Crystal Group's global production facilities and develop Textile AIaaS solutions to provide standardized tools and technical support for the industry, fostering growth for textile startups. The partners will organize research projects, industry training, and international forums to cultivate "AI + Textiles" talent, ensuring the workforce is well-prepared for the AI era.
HKUST Vice-President for Research and Development Prof. Tim CHENG remarked, "HKUST is proud to lead this collaboration, which is a concrete step in cultivating the new quality productive forces central to Hong Kong's and the nation's future economic strategy. Developing the textile-specific LLM, establishing the AI Innovation Hub, and fostering cross-disciplinary talent are precisely the kinds of innovation-driven upgrades needed to transition from traditional manufacturing to high-tech, sustainable production. This is how we translate policy vision into industrial reality and global competitiveness.”
Mr. Andrew LO, Chief Executive Officer of Crystal International Group Limited, said, “Artificial intelligence is key to the future of manufacturing. We're excited to work with HKUST and HKRITA to extend our digital transformation and co-develop a scalable, sustainable smart manufacturing model that drives new energy into the industry.”
“Our vision goes beyond technology. It’s about positioning Hong Kong as a hub for industrial AI innovation,” said Mr Jake KOH, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel. “Hong Kong knows how to navigate the textile world, and now, it is ready to grow through AI.”
About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university that excels in driving innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 3rd in the Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2024, 19th Worldwide and No.1 in Hong Kong in Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings 2025. Thirteen HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence” holding the 17th place, maintaining its position as first in Hong Kong. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated “Internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the latest Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. As of May 2025, HKUST members have founded over 1,800 active start-ups, including 10 Unicorns and 17 exits (IPO or M&A)
About Crystal International Group Limited
Crystal International Group Limited, founded in 1970, operates 20 apparel production facilities across Asia with a global workforce of 70,000 employees. As a leading global manufacturer, Crystal Group boasts extensive industry scenario and digital transformation experience. This includes being the pioneer to deploy a business technology platform, which uses advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning to achieve multi-system data integration, intelligent analysis and prediction, and real-time decision support.
About The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA)
Established in 2006, HKRITA is funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government and is hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. HKRITA contributes to the competitiveness of the textile and apparel industry by providing one-stop services in applied research, technology transfer and commercialiation. HKRITA also plays a vital and expanding role in driving sustainable improvements in the industry and thus bringing benefits to society as a whole.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Andie CHIU
Tel: 2358 8800
Email: andiechiu@ust.hk
Zheang Zhang
Tel: 2358 6317
Email: joannezhang@ust.hk
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