"Future of Textiles Sector is Closely Linked with Growth of Technical Textiles Industry": MoS (Textiles) Darshana Jardosh at Technotex 2023

The Union Ministry of Textiles and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) are organising Technotex, a flagship event that includes buyer-seller meetings, an international exhibition & conference. The 3-day event, which will conclude on February 24, will provide a common platform for interaction among stakeholders from all over the world's technical textile value chain.

On the occasion, Union Minister Darshana Jardosh also released an e-book titled 'Technical Textiles Ecosystem in India: Market Overview, Inherent Linkages, and Growth Opportunities'. Darshana Jardosh told industry representatives and other stakeholders that the future of the textile sector is inextricably linked with the growth of the technical textile industry. The Minister stated that as the global technical textile industry expands, "India will benefit from the expansion. Domestic consumption and exports are both expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, making this a critical period for the industry," she added.

"The Indian technical textiles sector is growing fast, the products are evolving with superior technical parameters. The Minister stated that the Indian Technical Textiles industry is rapidly expanding in terms of output and value, and that its products benefit a wide range of industries, including those in the automotive, agricultural, home care, construction, aerospace, protective gear, and healthcare sectors, among others, because these products have improved functional qualities such as greater tenacity and strength, as well as better thermal and chemical resistance. The end use of technical textiles caters to a wide variety of industries, thereby making it a high value sector in India," she added.

According to the Ministry of Textiles, India is the third largest exporter of textiles and apparel. "We have shifted gear from low value textile raw materials to high value upstream industries such as readymade garments, industrial and technical textiles".

The Ministry of Textiles also stated that the government is making every effort to promote technical textiles, including initiatives such as the PLI scheme, HSN Codes, and the National Technical Textile Mission. "The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for textiles for Man Made Fibre Fabrics & Apparel, and Technical Textiles is expected to attract investment of Rs. 19,798 crores for manufacturing. The industry's response has been very encouraging."

The Minister went on to say that India's G20 presidency can help strengthen our textile, apparel, and merchandising industries. The Minister reminded the audience that the PM Gati Shakti-National Master Plan is essentially a digital platform that will bring together 16 Ministries, including Railways and Roadways, for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects such as highways, railways, irrigation, power, renewable energy, irrigation, healthcare, and so on. She stated that PM Gati Shakti presents significant opportunities for the widespread use of technical textiles.

The Minister also mentioned the National Technical Textiles Mission, which has a Rs. 1,480 crore budget. The key pillars of NTTM include 'Research Innovation & Development', 'Promotion and Market Development', 'Education, Training and Skilling' and 'Export Promotion'. "The focus of the Mission is for developing usage of technical textiles in various flagship missions and programmes of the country including strategic sectors". The Ministry of Textiles has issued new guidelines to develop the knowledge ecosystem and promote technical textiles. The Minister stated that the Ministry of Textiles recently issued Guidelines for Indigenous Development of Machineries and Equipment in Technical Textiles in order to meet the diverse needs of the textile industry and to make our nation Aatma Nirbhar by leveraging local expertise in design, engineering, fabrication, and prototyping.

Under the General Guidelines for Grant for Internship Support, the Minister also informed that grants of up to Rs. 20,000 per student per month will be provided to empanelled companies for providing internships to B. Tech students in the 2nd/3rd/4th Year of the relevant Departments/Specializations of eligible private/public institutes (GIST). The implementation will take place in two stages: (1) Empanelment of eligible companies, and (2) Internship Program, with a maximum period of funding support for internship period of two months.

Textile industries with a turnover of more than Rs. 10 crores, textile research associations under the ministry, and textile machinery manufacturers will be eligible. The empanelled industries/institutions can provide training to engineering institutes in publicly funded institutions as well as private institutions with NIRF rankings of up to 200. This move will help to develop industry-trained engineers and professionals, as well as highly skilled workers, for both manufacturing and application areas of technical textiles, while also fostering academia-industry collaboration in the field of technical textiles.

The Minister stated that the Guidelines for Enabling Private and Public Academic Institutes in Technical Textiles will allow for the creation of new Technical Textiles Degree Programs (UG & PG) as well as the updating of existing conventional degree programmes with new Technical Textiles papers. The Ministry intends to develop an eco-system in technical textiles not only in the textile field but also in other engineering disciplines such as civil, mechanical, and electronics, agriculture institutes, medical colleges, and fashion institutes. It would cover the funding of laboratory equipment upgrades/enhancements, laboratory personnel training, and specialized training of Faculty members of the relevant department/specialization at the University/Institute for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) degree programmes.

According to Mohan Kavrie, Chairman & Mentor, FICCI Technotex SME Organizing Committee, the industry will collaborate with the government to foster a sustainable and innovative ecosystem that will support the growth of this industry. According to R D Udeshi, Member, National Executive Committee, FICCI, the Indian industry has a great opportunity to participate in the expected global growth of technical textiles and become a key supplier in the global market.

The three-day exhibition, conference, and buyer-seller meeting aims to imagine Indian Technical Textiles in 2047. It exemplifies the enormous trade and investment potential between India and foreign countries in the technical textile sector. It brings together participants, visitors, and other key decision-makers from a diverse cross-section of the Technical Textiles Industry in order to provide more innovative solutions, identify new business opportunities, and foster a growth-friendly environment.