Textiles that are solely produced for technical purposes and the main concentration is on having functional utility are called technical textiles. Depending on the usage, technical textiles can be divided into twelve segments: Agrotech, Clothtech, Hometech, Meditech, Oekotech, Protech, Buildtech, Geotech, Mobiletech, Packtech, Sportech, and Indutech. Considering the population of India, there is a major scope for growth and development in this sector.
In the domestic market of India, this industry is gaining popularity due to its versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. New innovations take place every day; therefore, in the future, the industry is expected only to strengthen. The number of different technical textiles produced in India has been growing gradually.
The annual growth rate of technical textiles is around 4% globally as compared to home and apparel textiles, which is around 1% per year. In India, technical textiles are a valuable part of the textile industry that is rapidly growing. According to reports, during the eleventh Five Year Plan, this sector recorded a growth rate of 11% annually.
However, the 12th Five Year Plan predicts an annual growth rate of 20% for this industry. It is estimated to do business of $36 billion by 2016-17, whereas its market was $13 billion. The industry is growing mainly because of the business skills of Indian industrialists, plus government aid for increasing investment in this area.
In the future, with growth in income, there will be an increase in disposable income spent on technical textiles by consumers. Market development support for export sales is necessary for domestic technical textile firms to grow. Some technical textiles need support from the government or user industries, while others are required to follow defined instructions.
The Ministry of Textiles introduced the Technology Mission on Technical Textiles (TMTT) with the funds sanctioned of Rs. 200 crore during the year 2010-2011. Under TMTT, two assignments were undertaken:
• The goal of the first assignment was to create and regulate testing facilities with national as well as international approval.
• To maintain a supply center and domestic development of prototypes.
The goal of the second assignment was to support indigenous and export markets of technical textiles. To implement these strategies following initiatives were undertaken:
• Support given to new businesses in technical textile industry
• Financial support given to conduct seminars/workshops
• Market development support provided to buyers and sellers
• Market development support provided to boost export sales
• Research and development of products
• Development schemes included in 12th Five Year Plan
Support given to new businesses in technical textile industry
In India technical textile industry is a fairly new sector. Hence, support is given to manufacturers especially from small and medium firms as they find it difficult to start the business in this sector.
To conduct seminars/workshops financial support was provided
It has been seen that awareness and exposure to technical textiles is quite low in India. Therefore, renowned national and international groups are invited to organize seminars, meetings, training session and workshops to improve the knowledge and understanding of the new innovations, market reports, global market situation of technical textiles. Under this program, 35 seminars/ workshops have been conducted till now.
Market development support provided to buyers and seller
This initiative facilitated buyer and seller meetings. It helped the local manufacturers to display their goods to established buyers and support the manufacturers to improve their marketing capabilities. Under this program, two international level buyer-seller meets have been organized, wherein many countries had participated.
Research and development of products
Technical textile industry is completely based on technological advancement and innovation. Major part of advanced products is imported from other countries in India. Therefore, there is an utmost need for research and development of products especially for local firms. 15 units have registered themselves for support under this initiative and five proposals have been approved.
Market development support provided to boost export sales
Many renowned technical textile fairs are organized globally. Local manufacturers can participate in these trade fairs and make connections to improve their export sales. Also, there are some textile firms which are taking part in trade fairs focusing on various applications used in technical textiles. Under this program, financial support is given to Indian manufacturers who wish to showcase their products in such exhibitions or trade fairs on an international platform.
Schemes included for development in 12th Five Year Plan
Various schemes have been planned and approved under the 12th Five Year Plan. Some of them are:
• Scheme to utilize agro-textiles to improve agriculture, horticulture in the North eastern region of India.
• Scheme to utilize geo-textiles to improve the infrastructure of North eastern states of India.
• Conduct a widespread survey that has information of all areas of technical textile industry in India.
• Promoting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in technical textile sector.
Technical textile has unending possibilities for development as it supports various industries but its potential in India has still not been explored. With various steps taken for the development of technical textile industry, this sector is slowly but steadily making a mark in India.
References:
1. Apparel India
2. Ittaindia.org
3. Technotexindia.in
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