Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, expressed confidence that India's technical textile industry is on track to surpass the USD10 billion target set for 2030. His remarks came during the inauguration of the international conference-cum-exhibition ‘Viksit Bharat - Technical Textiles for Sustainable Growth & Development,’ held in New Delhi on September 06, 2024. He emphasized the growing importance of man-made fibres and technical textiles, both globally and domestically.
During the event, the Union Minister highlighted the role these materials play in various sectors and reiterated the government's commitment to the development of the technical textile industry through key initiatives such as the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for man-made fibre (MMF) fabric, apparel, and technical textiles.
Singh launched the Compendium of the National Technical Textiles Mission and awarded confirmation certificates to 11 approved start-ups under the NTTM. He underscored that the government has sanctioned 156 research projects under the NTTM, including projects focused on the development of carbon fibres and support for start-ups in technical textiles.
Speaking on the immense potential of Meditech, particularly hygiene products, Singh noted that this segment could significantly contribute to achieving the USD10 billion target. He also expressed optimism about the local industry’s ability to develop high-performance fibres with applications across sectors such as aerospace, automobiles, and construction.
The Union Minister reaffirmed the government’s support for the industry to help India become a global leader and the largest manufacturer of technical textiles. The international conference was organized by the Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA) at The Ashok Hotel in New Delhi, under the flagship National Technical Textiles Mission.
Union Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, emphasized India’s progress toward achieving self-reliance, or Atmanirbhar Bharat, in technical textiles. He urged state governments to promote investments in the sector, including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Rachna Shah, outlined the growing market opportunity for technical textiles. She noted that while the global market for technical textiles stands at USD300 billion, India’s domestic market is valued at USD25 billion, with exports of USD2.6 billion. She also stressed the importance of setting quality standards, issuing Quality Control Orders (QCOs), and fostering interdepartmental collaboration under the NTTM.
Dr. S Somanath, a prominent speaker, highlighted the need for investment in composites and high-performance fibres in the aerospace sector, pointing to India’s reliance on imports due to the lack of commercial production facilities.
Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary and Mission Coordinator of NTTM, provided an update on the policy initiatives and progress under the mission. He mentioned the release of QCOs for 57 technical textile items, including fire-retardant furniture fabrics, and the addition of 37 new HSN Codes for technical textiles.
