PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently hosted an International Conference on Technical Textiles, focusing on market growth, opportunities, and challenges in India’s rapidly expanding technical textiles sector at the national capital, New Delhi. Industry experts, government officials, and researchers gathered to discuss India’s potential to become a global leader while addressing bottlenecks and emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation.
The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a significant International Conference on Technical Textiles at its headquarters in New Delhi. The conference, themed “Market Growth, Opportunities, and Challenges in Technical Textiles,” witnessed the participation of numerous delegates, including industry experts, researchers, and key players. The event aimed to deliberate on the immense potential and obstacles within the technical textiles sector.
Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and Mission Coordinator for the National Technical Textile Mission, emphasized the rapid growth of India’s technical textiles industry. He highlighted how this sector’s expansion aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of propelling India into a developed nation by 2047.
Rajeev Saxena underscored the government’s commitment to establishing India as a global leader in technical textiles through the National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM). The mission, designed with a long-term vision, seeks to encourage domestic production of technical textiles, explore global potential, and cater to domestic and international market demands. However, he also acknowledged certain bottlenecks hindering sector growth, such as challenges in IT machinery imports, shortage of skilled manpower, and weaknesses in the education system.
Echoing these sentiments, Madhu Sudhan Bhageria, Chair of the PHDCCI Textiles Committee and CMD of Filatex India Ltd, expressed confidence in India’s potential to become a significant player in the global textile market. He attributed this potential to favorable government initiatives, increasing demand for technical textiles across various industries, and the country’s robust manufacturing capabilities.
Prof Abhijit Majumdar from the Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering at IIT Delhi referred to the Indian Technical Textile sector as knowledge-driven and research-oriented. He stressed the need to revamp the undergraduate curriculum, focusing on principles rather than perimeter-centric learning. Prof. Majumdar emphasized the responsibility of educators to develop a solid curriculum, establish well-equipped laboratories, and produce skilled engineers to meet industry requirements.
Nandan Kumar, Director of High Performance Textiles, highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders to promote adopting new standards within the industry. He emphasized the significance of recycling high-performance protective textiles and the trend toward producing lighter, more comfortable textiles while maintaining desired properties. Mr. Kumar also emphasized the immense potential of staple fiber and fiber blending in India’s weaving, spinning, and dyeing industries.
Dr. Arindam Basu, Director General of the Northern India Textile Research Association, drew attention to the vast market opportunities for the Indian Technical Textile Industry. As India is projected to invest $1.4 trillion in infrastructure by 2025, sectors such as roads, rail, ports, and housing offer significant potential for technical textiles. Dr. Basu emphasized that India should focus on high-value products that are difficult to replicate rather than competing with low-cost countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh. He stressed the importance of domesticating technology and implementing quality standards for specialized items to meet the growing global demand.
The International Conference on Technical Textiles provided a platform for stakeholders to address the challenges and explore opportunities in India’s technical textiles sector. With supportive government initiatives, increased focus on education and research, collaborative efforts, and developing high-value products, India is poised to make significant strides in this sunrise sector.
