The Minister suggests public-private participation in the use of Government funds in Research & Development in Technical Textile. He says growth to be directed towards high technology and indigenously innovated products.
Union Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal said the time has come to target a 5 times increase in export of Technical Textiles in 3 years while speaking to representatives of Indian Technical Textile Association( ITTA) in Delhi today. The Minister said that the Centre would support PLIs for Textile Sector in States supporting the development and offering affordable infrastructure for Textile Manufacturing like cheap land and power.
Shri Goyal stated that we should align with the best standards in Textile manufacturing. There should be no difference in the quality of textile meant for international and domestic consumers. The Minister suggested public-private participation in the use of Government funds in Research & Development in Technical textiles.
It may be noted that the growth of Technical Textiles in India has gained momentum in the past 5 years, currently growing at an 8 % per annum rate. The aim is to hasten this growth to 15-20% range during the next 5 years.
250 Billion USD World Market
Shri Goyal said that the current world market is 250 Billion USD (18 Lakh Crore) and India’s share in it is USD 19 Billion. India is an aspiring player with USD 40 Billion in size in this market (8% share). The biggest players are the USA, Western Europe, China and Japan (20 – 40% share). He said that in addition to the growth in statistical terms, we will direct the growth towards high technology and indigenously innovated products.
National Technical Textiles Mission
He further mentioned that with these objectives in mind, the government has launched National Technical Textiles Mission in February 2020, to make India a self-reliant, vibrant, export-oriented economy in the world.
Technical Textiles
He said “We aim to transform India into a major player in innovations, technology development, applications in key areas (agriculture, roads & railways, water resources, hygiene and healthcare, personal protection) with emphasis on higher education and skilled workforce”, Shri Goyal informed that in January 2019, for the first time in India, 207 HSN Codes were issued for Technical textiles and in less than 2 years’ time India has become a net exporter in Technical Textiles.
He said that the trade balance earlier used to be negative( – Rs 2788 Crore) in 2018-19 and ( – Rs 1366 Crore in 2019-20), which has turned positive with 1767 Crore in 2020-21. During the year 2020-21, India’s major share of exports is in PPEs, N-95 and Surgical Masks, Fabric for PPEs and Masks.
Skill Development
Talking about the efforts made by the government to promote technical textiles, the Minister informed that 92 items have been made mandatory for use by Government organizations covering agriculture/horticulture, highways, railways, water resources, medical applications. Concerned 9 Ministries have issued instructions in this regard. Shri Goyal further stated that BIS has issued Indian Standards for 377 items and nearly 100 are in pipeline. Skill Development in Technical Textiles commenced with an introduction of Six new courses and another new 20 courses are under preparation, he added.
What is Technical Textiles?
It may be noted that Technical Textiles are textiles, which are engineered to give desired output suitable for specific applications. The basic raw material is natural fibers like jute, silk and cotton. But, the majority of the applications use man-made fibers: polymers(Aramid, Nylon), carbon, glass, and metals. Technical Textiles are the technology of the future. This is going to be the next technological revolution entirely changing the way we live and think.
Sub Segments
Based on their area of Applications, the Technical Textiles segment is divided into 12 sub-segments. In India. India has a major presence in Packaging Textiles (Packtech): 38%, Geotechnical Textiles (Geo-tech): 10%, Agricultural Textiles (Agrotech): 12%. The Applications of Technical Textiles are widening day by day with the advent of new materials. Along with new inventions made in smart textiles; 3-D Weaving, smart wear for health monitoring and ultra-high performing sportswear are bringing in new avenues which were unthinkable a few years back.
Research Projects
Research Projects have been awarded to reputed institutes like IITs. The topics cover cutting-edge technologies such as; indigenous carbon fibre, electric vehicle body from carbon composites, ultra-strength bulletproof jacket material, fog harvesting through the use of technical textiles, ultra protection for bio-organisms, etc.
The Committee on Research, Innovation and Development in Technical Textiles (co-chaired by Principal Scientific Adviser, Member(S&T) NITI Aayog) has considered 36 proposals and have recommended 20 proposals, so far. Nearly 40 more research proposals are under consideration for discussion in the subsequent meetings of the Committee.
The ITTA
ITTA is an association of small and medium segments of technical textiles manufacturers. 90% of their members have an annual turnover below Rs.100/- crore. ITTA members are mostly engaged in Non-woven fabrics, Protective garments, Packaging technical textiles, Agro-Textiles, industrial filters, conveyor belts.
Large technical textiles manufacturers (more than Rs.500/- crore turnover) such as Garware, Welspun, SRF, Century Yarn, Johnson & Johnson, etc., are not associated with ITTA. Ministry of Textiles consults ITTA in most of its policy formulations, programmes and regularly engages them.
(India CSR)
