Rajat Kumar Kedia
CEO & Managing Director Manjushree Spntek Pvt. Ltd.
Technical textiles and nonwovens are evolving with sustainability and innovation
Manjushree Spntex Pvt. Ltd. manufactures high performance nonwoven fabrics for use in medical, hygiene and industrial applications. The company has invested in the world’s first SMART spunmelt technology from the leader of this technology – Reicofil. Speaking to TechnicalTextile.Net, Manjushree Spntex’s CEO & Managing Director Rajat Kumar Kedia discusses the technical textiles and nonwoven industry, its challenges, and how Manjushree is committed to providing high-quality products and services.
What are the primary drivers behind the increasing demand for technical textiles and nonwoven products in various industries globally?
Technical textiles and nonwovens are dependent upon innovation. Novel materials have prospective applications in commercial products, particularly in medical, health, hygiene protection, home textiles, agriculture, geotextiles, and construction material applications. These textiles are used for performance purposes, where design, colour, and fashion are not as essential. Wipes and diapers are examples of disposable products that are proving to be both time-saving and convenient. In conclusion, the primary drivers for technical textile products are innovation, efficacy, price, economic climate and the country’s population.
How has the ongoing focus on sustainability and environmental conservation influenced the development and adoption of technical textiles and nonwoven materials?
Change is permanent and progress is an ongoing process. A few decades ago, the emphasis was on developing inexpensive and time-saving products, which resulted in the use of non-biodegradable plastic materials. Environmentalists grew extremely concerned because of the devastation caused by limited natural resources and a vast quantity of disposable products. Consequently, the industry is now focused on sustainable products.
Can you discuss some emerging trends and technological advancements that are shaping the future of the technical textiles and nonwovens industry?
Over 6-8 distinct nonwoven technologies exist, each with its own advantages and limitations. The future will be shaped by hybrid and composite technologies that combine the benefits of various technologies. Best example is wet-laid, which utilises paper and hydro-entanglement technologies to develop sustainable nonwovens for wipes and hygiene applications.
What challenges does the Indian technical textiles and nonwovens industry currently face, and how can stakeholders collaborate to address these issues?
With a five per cent proportion of the global textile market, India is ranked fourth worldwide. In contrast, the country is not even in the top 20 for technical textiles and nonwovens. Technical textiles and nonwovens necessitate sophisticated technologies and raw materials, which we lack; as a result, we must import them in order to compete, which makes us even more expensive.
How do you see the role of government policies and regulations in supporting the growth and innovation of the technical textiles and nonwovens industry?
At present, the Indian government is warming up to the use of technical textiles for the industry. It is encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in sophisticated technologies to produce high-quality goods. They should mandate the use of technical textiles and nonwovens of the appropriate quality for maximum applications.
What inspired Manjushree Spntex to focus on technical textiles and nonwoven products?
We have a firm belief that health and wellness are the new sunrise sectors. Hence, we wanted to pursue a business expansion in this area. On the other hand, our extensive know-how in polymer processing and decades of collaboration with technology leaders like Reifenhäuser-Reicofil led us to believe in the evolving spunmelt nonwoven technology.
We conducted a detailed market study and global mapping, which identified medical disposables and hygiene as core areas to grow with huge potential for innovation.
How has the SMART Spunmelt technology from Reicofil, Germany revolutionised your manufacturing process?
Our machine and technology are massively flexible to produce the entire range of spunmelt nonwoven products for widest range of applications, which include medical hygiene and industrial fabrics. Our line is highly agile, can changeover within a short time and has the ability to service low MOQs.
How does the green field project align with Manjushree’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices?
Manjushree has always been an organisation committed to social responsibility. The benefit of a greenfield initiative is that it prioritises sustainability from the ground up. The building’s design is optimised for natural illumination and fresh air, and it features comprehensive contamination control. In addition, almost all of our energy comes from renewable sources, and ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) is one of our core guiding principles.
What are the key benefits of SMART Spunmelt technology for both your company and your customers?
We can provide our customers with consistently high-quality goods at the most competitive prices, thanks to the application of smart technology. Our smart and agile technology allows us to manufacture products with minimal downtime and waste.
What challenges did you face in implementing the SMART Spunmelt technology and how did you overcome them?
Due to our technologically sound production, process, and engineering team, we did not face any challenges during its implementation.
What new products or applications have been made possible with the introduction of SMART Spunmelt technology?
SMART technology-based nonwovens are comprised of finer filaments, almost 25 per cent finer than existing products, resulting in nonwovens of superior quality for medical and hygiene applications.
How do you see the technical textiles and nonwoven industry evolving in the coming years, and what role will Manjushree play in that evolution?
We are committed to providing the highest level of safety and comfort with our innovative products, and our entire organisation is aligned with this objective. Similar to our other business under Manjushree Technopack Ltd, we have entered the nonwovens market in an effort to attain the market-leading position.
Interviewer: Shilpi Panjabi
Published on: 16/05/2023
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
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