India’s Technical Textiles Market Grows by 10%: Textile Ministry

The Ministry of Textiles collaborated with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Ahmedabad Textiles Industries’ Research Associations (ATIRA) to host the National Symposium on Advancements in Composites, Specialty Fibres, and Chemicals. The symposium shed light on the immense potential of India's Technical Textiles market, showcasing a remarkable growth rate of 10 per cent.

Addressing the symposium, Rachna Shah, Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, highlighted India's position as the 5th largest technical textiles market globally. She emphasised the versatility of composites, citing their applications across diverse sectors such as infrastructure, aerospace, automotive, military and defence, and medical devices. Shah stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders to drive awareness and education for the wider adoption of technical textiles and specialty fibre products.

Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, underscored the rapid growth of the technical textiles segment and its potential to drive productivity and innovation. He highlighted the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) as a flagship initiative aimed at positioning India as a global leader in technical textiles. Saxena outlined various guidelines under the NTTM mission related to research, innovation, education, and skilling.

Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, underscored the strategic importance of specialty fibres in advanced composites. He outlined various applications of specialty fibres like aramids, carbon fibres, and glass fibres, ranging from fire retardant fabrics to bullet-resistant jackets and windmills for renewable energy. Saraswat highlighted ongoing trends in composite materials, including high-performance resins, biomaterials, and nanocomposites, while also emphasising the need for sustainable practices in the industry.

Ajay Kumar Rana, Director General of RDSO, discussed the utilisation of geotextiles and geo-composites in the railways sector, emphasising their role in load-bearing applications, slope erosion protection, and drainage systems. He mentioned RDSO's efforts in developing new guidelines and standards for the use of geo-composites in collaboration with BIS.

Nilesh M Desai, Director of the Space Applications Centre (SAC/ISRO), emphasised the importance of composites in the space and aerospace sectors due to their lightweight and durable properties. He mentioned the prevalent use of CFRP and Asto glass fibres in these industries.

The symposium saw participation from approximately 150 delegates, including officials from central ministries, representatives from user departments of central and state governments, industry leaders, scientific experts, researchers, and professionals in the field of technical textiles. The event served as a platform for fruitful discussions and insights into the growth trajectory of India's technical textiles market.