CSIRO releases blueprint to revive Australian spinning mills amid industry call for guaranteed demand
Australia's chief science agency has produced a feasibility blueprint for re-opening spinning mills, but the textile sector says large-scale investment and guaranteed government contracts are needed.
A new CSIRO feasibility report offers a template for companies to re-establish spinning mills, a missing link in Australia's clothing supply chain since the 1980s. Funded by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation and the federal government, the study evaluates costs, workforce gaps and optimal locations, naming Toowoomba, Brisbane, Narrabri, Dubbo, Sydney and Melbourne as candidates. While automation has lowered labor requirements, electricity expenses still challenge profitability.
Industry figures such as Sam Delgos of the Australian Fashion Council and Adam Kay of Cotton Australia call for large purchasers, especially the government, to commit to Australian-made uniforms to create market certainty. Michell Wool's Gaynor Scott highlights the potential for unique capabilities and export opportunities if spinning returns domestically.
Why it matters
Reviving spinning mills could boost Australian jobs, reduce reliance on imports, and strengthen supply-chain transparency.
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