Time to target 5x increase in export of technical textiles in 3 years: Piyush Goyal

New Delhi: Union Minister of Textiles Piyush Goyal has said that the time has come to target a five times increase in export of technical textiles in three years. He was speaking to representatives of the Indian Technical Textile Association( ITTA) in Delhi Friday. The Minister said that the Centre would support PLIs for the textile sector in states supporting the development and offering affordable infrastructure for textile manufacturing like cheap land and power.

Goyal stated that we should align with the best standards in textile manufacturing. There should be no difference in the quality of textile meant for international and domestic consumers. The Minister suggested public-private participation in the use of government funds in research & development in technical textiles.

The growth of technical textiles in India has gained momentum in the past five years and is currently growing at 8 percent per annum rate, according to the Ministry data. The aim is to hasten this growth to 15-20 per cent range during next five years.

Goyal said that the current world market is 250 Billion USD (18 lakh crore) and  India's share in it is $19 billion. India is an aspiring player with $40 billion size in this market (which is close to 8 percent share). The biggest players are the USA, Western Europe, China and Japan (20 – 40% share). He said that in addition to the growth in statistical terms, we will direct the growth towards high technology and indigenously innovated products.
He further mentioned that with these objectives in mind, the government has launched the National Technical Textiles Mission in February 2020, with a view to make India a self-reliant, vibrant, export-oriented economy in the world.

He said, "Our aim is to transform India into a major player in innovations, technology development, applications in key areas (agriculture, roads & railways, water resources, hygiene and healthcare, personal protection) with emphasis on higher education and skilled workforce."

Goyal informed that in January 2019, for the first time in India, 207 HSN codes were issued for technical textiles and in less than two years, India has become a net exporter in technical textiles.

He said that the trade balance earlier used to be negative(Rs 2,788 crore) in 2018-19 and (Rs 1,366 crore in 2019-20), which has turned positive with 1,767 crores in 2020-21. During the year 2020-21, India's major share of exports is in PPEs, N-95 and surgical masks, fabric for PPEs and masks.

Talking about the efforts made by the government to promote technical textiles, the minister informed that 92 items have been made mandatory for use by government organisations covering agriculture or horticulture, highways, railways, water resources, medical applications. Concerned nine ministries have issued instructions in this regard. Goyal further stated that BIS has issued Indian Standards for 377 items and nearly 100 are in pipeline. The skill development in technical textiles commenced with the introduction of six new courses and another new 20 courses are under preparation, he added.

It may be noted that technical textiles are textiles, which are engineered to give desired output suitable for specific applications. The basic raw material is natural fibres like jute, silk and cotton. But, the majority of the applications use man-made fibres: polymers (Aramid, Nylon), carbon, glass and metals. Technical Textiles are the technology of the future. This is going to be the next technological revolution entirely changing the way we live and think.

Based on their area of applications, the technical textiles segment is divided into 12 sub-segments. In India. India has a major presence in Packaging Textiles (Packtech): 38%, Geotechnical Textiles (Geo-tech): 10%, Agricultural Textiles (Agrotech): 12%. The Applications of Technical Textiles are widening day by day with the advent of new materials. New inventions made in smart textiles; 3-D Weaving, smart wear for health monitoring and ultra-high performing sportswear are bringing in new avenues that were unthinkable a few years back.

Research Projects have been awarded to reputed institutes like IITs. The topics cover cutting edge technologies such as; indigenous carbon fibre, electric vehicle body from carbon composites, ultra-strength bulletproof jacket material, fog harvesting through the use of technical textiles, ultra protection for bio-organisms etc.

The Committee on Research, Innovation and Development in Technical Textiles (co-chaired by Principal Scientific Adviser, Member (S&T) NITI Aayog) has considered 36 proposals and have recommended 20 proposals, so far. Nearly 40 more research proposals are under consideration for discussion in the subsequent meetings of the Committee.

ITTA is an association of small and medium segments of technical textiles manufacturers. 90 percent of their members have an annual turnover below Rs100/- crore.  ITTA members are mostly engaged in Non-woven fabrics, Protective garments, Packaging technical textiles, Agro-Textiles, industrial filters, conveyor belts.

Large technical textiles manufacturers (more than Rs 500/- crore turnover) such as Garware, Welspun, SRF, Century Yarn, Johnson & Johnson, etc., are not associated with ITTA. Ministry of Textiles consults ITTA in most of its policy formulations and programmes and engages them regularly.

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