IMPRESSIONS from a Cross-section

Textile Chemicals and Auxiliaries can be broken up into auxiliaries for fabric processing and finishing,   sizing chemicals and garment wet processing chemicals.   We are more active in the last 2 categories and do business for many years   both in the Indian market and overseas.

The market for all categories of textile chemicals is a growing one in India and its immediate neighbors i.e. Bangladesh and Pakistan along with a small market in Sri Lanka. 

Then there is good potential for growth   in Indonesia, Vietnam   and to a lesser extent Thailand, which is a more mature market and where the textile industry is not growing. 

But, at the same time, despite good growth potential, competition is fierce in these markets and only those companies that can provide better value and innovative products can thrive and make profits in this scenario.

The prospects in the coming year are moderately optimistic as many fabric and garment manufacturers have put investment plans on hold due to the global slowdown and lack of demand from major markets such as the USA and Europe.

However, the nature of the textile industry being such and catering to a very vital need, growth plans can only be deferred and not put off indefinitely.  Long term prospects are therefore good.

Textile chemical producers that can cater to the specific needs of the growing technical textile sector will reap the benefits and the emphasis for companies must be on innovation and development – something not always easily possible by medium and small producers in India -  and these are the majority in this sector. 

The dominance of the multinational chemical producers in this sector, especially   with corporate clients, can only be met by giving better service & value and innovation to give products for specific needs   for individual customers.  This is the challenge for the future.

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