The Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, recently chaired the 10th Mission Steering Group meeting, where 12 new research projects valued at Rs 13.3 crore were approved under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). These projects span key areas like geotextiles, sustainable and smart textiles, and composite materials, aiming to advance India’s technical textiles sector with innovative and eco-friendly solutions. Leading research institutions, including IITs, NITs, and the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), have proposed these initiatives.
The latest approvals bring the total number of research projects under NTTM to 168, with an estimated investment of INR 509 crore. The mission’s goal is to strengthen research and development in the local technical textiles industry, which has significant applications in infrastructure, healthcare, defense, and agriculture. NTTM has prioritized supporting projects that foster high-performance fiber production and advanced material development, aligning with India’s broader goals of self-reliance and technological growth.
During the meeting, Minister Singh introduced new Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) guidelines under NTTM, urging the industry to intensify its involvement in innovative research. He highlighted the importance of intellectual property in driving India’s competitiveness in the global technical textiles market and encouraged private sector participation in creating new solutions and products.
The NTTM, as a flagship scheme by the Ministry of Textiles, is instrumental in pushing India to the forefront of technical textiles. By promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and research bodies, the mission aims to establish India as a global hub for technical textile innovation, addressing strategic needs while contributing to sustainability and economic growth.
