U.S. start-up CreateMe has unveiled a robotic adhesive garment assembly line that aims to replace traditional sewing with precision bonding, potentially transforming the global apparel industry.
The company has launched its first 1,200-square-foot facility in Newark, California, integrating its MeRA (Modular-Engineering Robotic Assembly) system. The pilot line is designed to produce up to one million fully finished garments per year, using computer vision, artificial intelligence and robotics to assemble textiles without stitching.
Technology inspired by electronics manufacturing
Founded in 2019 by entrepreneur Cam Myers, CreateMe has spent years refining the model, developing more than 200 prototypes and filing nearly 100 patents. Drawing inspiration from automated consumer electronics production, Myers envisioned adhesives as a way to overcome the bottlenecks of sewing.
At the heart of the system is Pixel, a micro-dot bonding technology capable of applying adhesives with sub-millimetre precision. The process enables robots to assemble garments up to 20 times faster than traditional methods, while delivering stretchable, lightweight seams that enhance comfort and durability.
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Focus on speed and sustainability
The company has also developed Thermo(re)set, a thermo-reversible adhesive platform that allows seams to be undone with heat. This feature makes garments easier to disassemble and recycle, addressing growing sustainability concerns and aligning with extended producer responsibility regulations emerging in Europe and the United States.
By combining modular robotics with reversible adhesives, CreateMe positions itself at the intersection of speed and circularity. Production cells are designed to deliver finished garments in as little as 48 to 72 hours, allowing brands to respond quickly to shifting consumer demand, reduce inventory waste and minimize carbon emissions through near-shoring.
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Commercial plans and industry outlook
CreateMe is in discussions with major global brands and is offering flexible partnership models, from licensing its technology to joint ventures and direct manufacturing services. The first commercial products to emerge from the Newark facility will include an intimates line later in 2025, followed by T-shirts in early 2026 and expansion into sportswear and casual apparel.
While scaling adhesive-based garment production presents technical challenges, the company’s modular MeRA architecture is designed to adapt across categories and fabrics. Industry analysts say the technology could redefine apparel manufacturing by shifting the paradigm from needle and thread to bonded seams.
If successful, CreateMe’s robotic system may set a new standard for efficiency and sustainability in global fashion, offering a glimpse into how next-generation manufacturing could reshape the supply chain.
