R&D is key to textile growth: Dr Kavita Gupta

Can we change the world order was the question at the conference at the ongoing India ITME 2016. Sharing their views, the leaders of textile industry were unanimous in their view that the industry is witnessing a paradigm shift worldwide and India can seize the opportunity to be a dominant player. In her inaugural address, Textile Commissioner, Dr Kavita Gupta assured a more conducive business environment by government through policies and other infrastructural support. Stressing further she said, “R&D is a key to this growth. The government has added R&D investments in textile machinery manufacturing to be getting all benefits as any other sector. There is no reason why India cannot overtake China in near future. We are already more competitive than China in labour, power and manufacturing costs in textile industry."

RD Udeshi, President Polyster Value Chain, Reliance later shared the possible roadmap towards India achieving a target of achieving the mission of achieving $300 billion in textile exports. The textile sector is one of the largest contributions to India’s exports with approximately 11% of total exports.  India’s overall textile exports during FY2015-2016 stood at $40 billion.

Faster technology upgradation, marketing innovation, better policy framework, focus on quality and enhancing production capacities were identified as some of the growth drivers for textile and apparel business towards achieving the mission. The Make in India initiative by Indian government needs to be leveraged to achieve scalability and be globally competitive. Industry stalwarts such including RK Vij of Indo Rama, Subash Bhargava, MD, Colorant Ltd., RK Rewari, CMD Morarjee Mills, BB Sharma, CEO. Sintex Spinning, J V Rao, CEO, National Skill Development Council, Caroline Averbeck, International Trade Centre, etc.

Dr BK Behra, HOD, Textiles, IIT shared the latest advancements in various processes in textiles. He stated that more efficient machines that are smaller, consume less water & energy need to be adopted. Sustainability would play a critical role in tomorrow’s technologies. “To save the impact on environment, the industry needs to replace urea urgently.” said Bulent Eksoy and Sandeep Arora of Polyspin, India. Linen and Lincel are gaining faster acceptance as they are more sustainable in nature as a raw material claimed Manish Mehta, MD Sundrem TexVentures.
 

Going by the interest shown by world technology leaders at the ongoing India ITME 2016, the textiles landscape in India is about to change, the industry’s mood can be assailed easily. Participation from 38 countries, huge amount of foreign visitors and an overwhelming participation by Indian manufacturers of textile machinery are a testimony of the intent to grab

opportunity by Indian domestic textile industry. The textile consumption within India is growing rapidly. Also, with China’s share in world textiles trade about seven times of that of India, the Indian manufacturers are sensing better exports in future.  The six-day Exhibition is witnessing dozens of product launches and is proving to be an effective platform for joint ventures and collaborations between the stakeholders of textile industry in India and overseas.
 

There are 25 new launches scheduled reflecting latest innovations and technology in the sector.

Foreign & domestic business leaders, academicians, research scholars, government officials from countries such as Philippians, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Iran, Turkey, Brazil, Indonesia, Poland, Malaysia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, etc. are visiting India ITME 2016.  India is not only a strong market but also is explored as a hub for training and skill development by many countries for textiles and textile engineering.

India ITME Society is four-decade old non-profit organisation with a vision to support the industry through exhibitions facilitating investments and joint ventures and technology transfer.
   

State of Gujarat and State of Karnataka are participating in this event as state partners.  This event is also supported by Department of Heavy Industry, Govt. of India, Textile Ministry, Government of India and Government of Maharashtra making it the most important platform between governments and the industry members to interact and work together.  The idea of “Make in India” in textile engineering shall be promoted to the visiting foreign business visitors and also propagate government schemes and incentives for the textile industry in India.