The Conference received overwhelming response with 275 delegates in attendance.
The Textile Association (India), Mumbai Unit organised International Conference on –Sustainability and Circularity – The New Challenges for the Textile Value Chain at Mumbai. The Conference received overwhelming response with 275 delegates in attendance. The theme of Conference, topics, presentations, and speakers were highly appreciated by one and all. Some of the highlights of the conference are described as under:
V C Gupte,Chairman, TAI, Mumbai Unit and Convener of the Conference welcomed Guest of Honour; Seema Srivastava, Executive Director, India ITME Society, Keynote Speaker; Dr Naresh Tyagi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail; awardees, speakers, press, media, and delegates. Gupte welcomed and congratulated two awardees Dr Sharad Kumar Saraf for The Lifetime Achievement Award and Rajkumar Agarwal for The Industrial Excellence Award. Gupte explained what is circularity and circularity model, in which all materials are viewed as a resource, there is no waste. A circular textiles system will require solutions that would enable us to recycle textiles back into textiles without degrading quality. He explained when a product reaches the end of its life, its materials are kept within the economy wherever possible, The circular economy involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. These can be productively used again and again, thereby creating further value. This is Circular Economy which is departure from the current model of which is based on a take-make-consume-throw away pattern. However, it is now realised to relook at this model for better sustainability of the planet Earth.
He mentioned that TAI, Mumbai Unit has always selected contemporary and innovative topics in all the conferences organised and presentations by high profile speakers. This conference is also no exception to the set tradition especially the theme being of international importance.
Rajiv Ranjan, President, TAI, Mumbai Unit in his Presidential Address started with the UN definition that a sustainable development meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Since the textile industry was very polluting in nature and as per estimate more than five per cent of total Green House Gas (GHG) emission was due to this industry, the 3R principle of Reduce, Recycle and Reuse was never more valid. In its efforts towards sustainability, it was extremely important for the textile industry to look at steps to conserve resources, optimise efficiencies across the manufacturing process and minimise waste at every stage. If a proper mechanism was adopted by the industry to work on collection for recycle and reuse, then remarkable changes could be brought to nurture sustainable development. ESG (Environment, Corporate and Social Governance) and sustainability were essential principles that organisations must adopt to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner. These measures not only benefit the environment and the society, but they also contribute to the company’s long term profitability and success.
G V Aras, The Conference Chairman and Trustee, TAI, Mumbai Unit briefed about the details of the conference, including topics and speakers. He said every attempt has been made to address the theme from the perspectives of organised industry and MSMEs apart from international perspectives. Sustainable development with circularity is emphasised by the speakers from different angles so that a holographic picture can be conceived at the end of the conference. He reiterated that sustainability and circularity are the most important aspects of manufacturing for reducing environmental impact. While sustainability is the goal, circularity is a milestone that results to achieve sustainable objectives. In circularity model, all materials are viewed as resources and as such there is no waste. A circular textile system requires solutions that would enable us to recycle textiles back into textiles without degrading quality.
Dr Tyagi, in his Keynote address, described the sustainability and various steps involved in establishing the goals set towards circularity. He emphasised that the holistic approach to develop strategies to achieve the goals set and collate with national and global perspectives. He described the various facets of sustainability and in turn strategies developed through circularity in line with sustainable development goals set by UNO as India is a signatory for the seventeen sustainable goals. With his rich experience in sustainability solutions at Birla Cellulose, he unfolded in a lucid way the importance of the subject and relevance to textile and clothing industry. His keynote address set the pace of the theme of the conference rolling to extend the deliberations on various other aspects of sustainability and circularity.
Honouring the best in class under the textile and trade family tree
TAI Mumbai Unit takes it as privilege to honor the distinguished achievers in the textile trade and industry every year. As a tradition, the following luminaries were honored during the international conference.
The Lifetime Achievement Award: The Textile Association (India), Mumbai Unit has set a precedent by felicitating the textile professionals/industrialists for their outstanding contribution to the textile industry. In this Conference, the TAI, Mumbai Unit felicitated Dr Sharad Kumar Saraf, Chairman and Managing Director, Technocraft Group with “The Lifetime Achievement Award†for his Contribution and Services to the Textile & clothing Industry. In his remarks, the awardee Dr Saraf highlighted the key features of sustainability based on his rich experience in the industry and trade.
The Industrial Excellence Award: TAI, Mumbai Unit also felicitated Rajkumar Agarwal, Managing Director, SVG Fashions with The Industrial Excellence Award for his contribution in the field of textile and clothing industry. Rajkumar in his remarks, emphasised the role of the textile and clothing sector in the light of international scenario.
Seema Srivastava, Executive Director, India ITME Societywho was the Guest of Honor addressed the delegates. She described the importance of the theme of the conference regarding holistic approach for the development of the textile and clothing sector. She highlighted the synergy of machinery development and promotion in achieving the sustainability and circularity. She complimented the TAI, Mumbai Unit for choice of the topic and organising the international conference as it is an important topic of current interest to the textile trade and industry.
There was good interaction by speakers with the delegates during question answer sessions resulting thereon effective delivery of the though sharing on the theme of conference “Sustainability and Circularityâ€.