India is on the path to become the world’s new textile and apparel production hub. However, innovations and their adoption would determine the future competitiveness of the Indian textile and apparel industry.

The textile and apparel industry in India is a major contributor to the economic growth of the country. It contributes close to five per cent of the nation’s GDP and employs close to 10 crore people directly and through its allied sectors. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector is consistently scaling its game to become the world’s new textile and apparel production hub, competing with countries like China, the European Union and Vietnam. However, with an increase in global competition, changes in customer preferences and the rising concerns over climate change, there is a need to focus on innovative solutions to maintain the competitive edge.

Innovation, in today’s world, needs to have the right balance between two key factors – technology and sustainability. Modern-day disruptive solutions should be technologically scalable and at the same time be ecologically viable. With the passage of time, consumers have also become more inclined toward the Internet of Things (IoT) with brands and designers following suit. Be it in production, supply chain management or marketing, innovation remains at the heart of the textile sector.

Given a 5-year horizon, innovations in the following areas and their adoption by the industry would determine the future competitiveness of the Indian textile and apparel industry.

3D Technology

Designing and selling a product is made easier by new breakthroughs in design technology. When creating a new outfit, one of the first steps is to determine the optimal fit, such as how loose or well-fitted the outfit is supposed to be and 3D rendering can help with this procedure. Many brands are now incorporating 3D printing as well into their collections as it produces less waste and requires less effort. Companies also benefit by being able to remotely manage and control their machinery as well as collect data in order to improve their operations.

Blockchain For Supply Chain Management

The emergence of blockchain has truly transformed the way global players are addressing their issues in supply chain management. This disruptive technology helps track all the relevant data points in a transparent manner helping not only the manufacturers but also the suppliers and distributors. While it is still at a fairly nascent stage in India, blockchain would have a significant role to play in the way the industry interacts and executes transactions.

Innovation In Athleisure

With customers prioritising their health, the athleisure category is quickly getting popular amongst the younger audience. After gaining acceptance in 2016, athleisure has now evolved as a mainstream culture across the globe. Going forward, this trend would continue with innovations in fabric, design and recyclables. While nylon and polyester are majorly used for their manufacturing process, going forward, fabrics in organic cotton, bamboo and other sustainable materials would start making their presence felt and disrupt the sportswear industry.

Customisation In the Textiles Industry

Customisation has emerged as one of the most popular trends in the apparel and fashion sector as more and more customers are looking at creating their own unique designs and style. It also gives them the freedom to design their outfits based on the latest trends and seasons. Customised garments have also complimented the growth in demand for high-quality fabrics, given their significantly longer shelf life.

Sustainability

With global climatic conditions constantly changing, sustainable garment production has become the need of the hour. Customers in the ‘Millennials’ and ‘Gen Z’ demographics are actively choosing environmentally friendly brands. This is also pushing conscious brands and conglomerates to shift towards the new-age concept of ‘slow fashion’. While usage of recycled fabrics has increased, we are also witnessing a trend of brands saving electricity and water by installing solar power plants and sewage treatment plants respectively. In addition, eco-friendly fabrics are being developed to convert waste material into fibre.

With technological innovations and cross-cultural variances, the textile and apparel sector in India is expanding at a breakneck pace. The future of this industry appears to be bright, thanks to increased innovations and strong domestic demand backed by an increase in exports.