This partnership supports India’s broader vision of promoting innovation-led sustainability within the textile sector.
The Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA), Ghaziabad, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, to explore the potential of milkweed (Asclepias) as a sustainable natural fibre. This partnership supports India’s broader vision of promoting innovation-led sustainability within the textile sector.
The initiative involves conducting a genomic analysis of the milkweed plant to gain insights into its fibre structure and assess its viability as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fibres. Milkweed fibres are naturally lightweight, insulating, and biodegradable, making them suitable for applications in home furnishings, technical textiles, and thermal clothing. Despite these qualities, milkweed has not yet been widely adopted for large-scale manufacturing, primarily due to limitations in sourcing and fibre yield.
The NITRA-NBRI collaboration aims to overcome these challenges by improving fibre yield, establishing sustainable cultivation and sourcing practices, and identifying commercially feasible applications. The project is expected to contribute to the diversification of raw material sources for the Indian textile industry, particularly by introducing an indigenous, renewable option.
This initiative also supports the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, India’s self-reliance mission, by fostering domestic innovation and reducing reliance on imported synthetic fibres. In the long term, the partnership is anticipated to bolster environmental sustainability and enhance economic resilience in textile production through the integration of alternative natural fibres.