By 2030, innovations like wearable smart fabrics, connected supply networks, and automated factories may redefine manufacturing ecosystems, says Aishwary Jaiswal.
The Indian textile industry is one of the nation’s most significant economic pillars employing over 45 million people and contributing around 2.3 per cent of India’s GDP, 13 per cent of industrial production, and 8 per cent of exports. As global competition intensifies and buyers demand greater quality, cost efficiency, and sustainability, the sector is rapidly embracing smart manufacturing the integration of digital technologies to automate, monitor, and optimise production systems.
Smart manufacturing is reshaping how fabrics are dyed, knitted, cut, and delivered, from raw fiber to finished garment, enabling the Indian textile industry to compete with international players and meet evolving market demands.
Emerging technologies
The following trends that the industry is witnessing is as follows;
Automated robotics: Automation and robotics are increasingly central to textile manufacturing. Factories are deploying computer-controlled looms, automated cutting systems, and robotic handling units that significantly boost throughput and ensure uniform product quality. AI-enhanced quality inspection systems can detect hundreds of defect types at speeds and accuracy levels far beyond manual inspection.
India also saw a 59 per cent rise in industrial robot installations in 2023, expanding robotics beyond traditional sectors into textiles.
AI-enabled analytics: AI is a game-changer for the industry, enabling predictive maintenance, real-time quality control, and demand forecasting. Industry data suggests adoption of AI-powered quality systems has jumped ~40 per cent from 2020–23, and ~65 per cent of textile companies are investing in data-driven forecasting tools.
AI in Indian textile hubs like Tirupur has already improved production efficiency by around 10 per cent, helping exports soar i.e. knitwear exports crossed Rs 400 billion (about $4.6 billion) in FY25.