India’s performance-wear market is evolving rapidly as consumers increasingly seek apparel that combines comfort, functionality, durability and value. TechnoSport is responding to this shift through vertically integrated manufacturing, in-house fabric development, automation and a growing focus on performance-led innovation. From moisture management and advanced fabric technologies to sustainable manufacturing and data-driven product development, the company is strengthening its capabilities across the value chain. Puspen Maity, CEO, TechnoSport, in this interaction with Divya Shetty, discusses the changing technical textiles landscape, emerging consumer preferences, sustainability priorities and the company’s plans to scale manufacturing, distribution and retail presence in the coming years.
How is TechnoSport using innovation in fabrics, product design and manufacturing to strengthen its position in the performance-wear market?
For TechnoSport, fabric development, product design and manufacturing are closely connected through our vertically integrated manufacturing ecosystem. Our fabric is produced in-house, giving us greater control over quality, cost, speed and consistency. Our products incorporate functional benefits such as breathability, moisture management, quick-dry performance, four-way stretch, lightweight comfort, antimicrobial and odour-control properties, anti-static performance and UPF 50+ protection.
Manufacturing is supported by AI-based production planning, real-time shop-floor tracking, hanger-based garmenting automation and CAD-based cutting systems. This combination of in-house fabric capability, product functionality and manufacturing control enables us to deliver performance-led activewear consistently and at scale.
How do you assess the current technical textiles market in India, particularly the demand for functional and performance-oriented apparel?
The category is becoming relevant to a much wider consumer base. Activewear is no longer being purchased only for structured fitness or sport, it is increasingly being worn for work, commute, travel and everyday movement. At the same time, consumers are becoming more informed about what they expect from the product. Comfort and price remain important, but fit, durability, breathability, stretch, and moisture management are increasingly part of the purchase decision. This shift is visible across metros as well as Tier II and Tier III markets. TechnoSport selling more than 25 million units in the previous fiscal year is also indicative of how significantly the addressable consumer base for performance-led apparel has widened.
Which emerging fabric technologies or new raw materials are likely to shape the next phase of activewear and sportswear development?
Material science will become increasingly important to the evolution of performance apparel. Polyester itself is rooted in material science, and there is significant work involved in understanding yarn combinations and developing the right performance characteristics.
How is TechnoSport integrating sustainability across sourcing, manufacturing, packaging and product development?
Our manufacturing facilities use renewable energy and recycle approximately 95 per cent of the water they consume. Bringing knitting, dyeing, fabric processing and garmenting into an integrated production ecosystem also helps reduce intermediate logistics movement. As we expand the focus remains on improving process efficiency and strengthening control across production.
What challenges do manufacturers face when balancing performance, affordability and environmental responsibility in technical apparel?
The key is to look at performance, affordability and responsible manufacturing as part of the same product equation. Performance apparel has to deliver on functionality, comfort, durability and consistency, while remaining relevant to the price expectations of the consumer. TechnoSport’s approach has been to build greater control across fabric development and manufacturing so that quality, cost and consistency can be managed together. The focus is therefore on improving efficiency across the system while continuing to deliver dependable performance at accessible price points.
What role do consumer insights, data and research play in developing products suited to India’s climate and changing lifestyle needs?
The starting point is understanding how consumers actually use activewear. Today, the same product may be used across commuting, work, travel, exercise and everyday routines, so the requirement is increasingly about all-day comfort and functionality rather than a single sporting occasion.
There are also differences across markets. Consumers in Tier II and Tier III cities place strong emphasis on comfort, durability, functionality and value, while metro consumers often place greater emphasis on design, versatility and occasion-based use. Our in-house R&D works on performance fabrics suited to India’s climate and consumer requirements. Technology then helps connect demand with fabric development, assortment and size planning, inventory and replenishment, while our retail and distribution network creates faster feedback loops from the market.
What are TechnoSport’s key expansion and innovation priorities over the next three to five years?
We aim to prioritise expanding our manufacturing capability, strengthen distribution and deepen consumer access. In manufacturing, we are expanding dyeing and knitting infrastructure, increasing automation and process optimisation, and working towards scaling fabric production.
In retail, we are targeting approximately 128–130 Exclusive Brand Stores (EBOs) and 25 TechnoSport Express stores by the end of FY27, alongside our existing presence across more than 16,000 retail touchpoints in over 20 states. We are also advancing our Distributor Management System to strengthen inventory visibility and replenishment across the network. These capabilities will support our journey towards Rs 10 billion in revenue in FY27 and provide the operating base for growth beyond that milestone.