Divyesh Mashruwala
Proprietor
Akshar Industries
How big is the foiling, embossing, pleating industry in India & what is Surat's share in it? What kind of value-additions are in demand? Who are your competitors? How do you ensure such value-additions last longer?
The foiling, embossing, and pleating industry occupies 5 per cent in India. Surat's contribution is 90 per cent. Out of all the product offerings there is high demand for foiling and pleating. We use natural fabrics and polyester fabrics for value-additions like foiling, embossing, and pleating. But foiling is the most popular in the export market.
These value additions are mostly used in womenswear, menswear, kidswear and also in home textiles.
We source inks and chemicals from China and Korea. Despite India being our biggest market, we face competition from China and South Korea. Our business was slow for the last three years but we expect a better performance in the near future.
Embossing is a hundred per cent eco-friendly process. Foiling is almost pollution free. Pleating and embossing is totally heat set process; so it is very durable even after several washes. Foil printing is a coating process. But the durability depends on the fabric that is being used.
Published on: 20/10/2016
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