Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour

Overview

The Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) is a world leading research institute bringing together multi-disciplinary academic expertise in design, technology, science and engineering. We work collaboratively with partners globally to tackle important research challenges across textiles, colour and fashion.

Our expertise is built on a history of nearly a 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.

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.

Our work is supported by one of the most extensively equipped research facilities in the world.

News

Discover the latest news from the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour.

The chemistry of textiles and colour

We collaborated with the Salters’ Institute and their Chemistry Club for 11-14 year olds to showcase how the discipline relates to textiles. You can watch the three short videos we filmed on our YouTube channel.
How resilient is the fashion and textile industry?

In our latest episode of the Global Challenges Podcast we look at resilience of the sector in relation to recent events such as Brexit and the pandemic. Learn how these events have shaken the industry but also how they have led to adaptation and innovation.
How does your cotton t-shirt make its way into the ocean?

Catch up on our latest Global Challenges Podcast where we take a deep dive into why cotton could potentially be the most environmentally damaging fibre that is polluting our oceans on an enormous scale.
How much microfibre do we emit with our washing?

The UK’s laundry releases microfibres weighing the equivalent of up to 1,500 double-decker buses every year, according to new research.
LITAC academic joins board of major sustainable fashion foundation

A sustainable fashion expert is the first academic to be elected to the board of ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) Foundation, an organisation aiming to reduce the chemical impact of fashion production.
Converting coffee waste into biomaterial for the textile industry

Dr Giuseppe Tronci (Associate Professor at the School of Design) has recently been successful in securing funding by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to research converting coffee waste into useful biomaterial for the textile industry.

Events

ITMA 2023 - Transforming the World of Textiles

LITAC is a supporting organisation of ITMA 2023, the world’s largest international textile and garment technology exhibition. ITMA is the place where the entire textile manufacturing value-chain meets every four years to source the latest innovations, collaborations and insights.
Future Fashion Factory Showcase 2023

Taking place at Nexus at the University of Leeds on 30th June the Future Fashion Factory 2023 Annual Showcase will be a celebration of the impacts and partnerships from the five year programme..