Textile tech giants see big potential in India

China and India may stand like colossus among global textile industry, but in textile technology, China seems to be imperceptibly stealing the show over India. The unflagging interest in investing in textile industry has given a clear lead to China. Some of the major European textile technology giants obviously have a big presence in China with their plants in association with Chinese interests or sometimes as 100 per cent subsidiary. Chinese textile companies themselves have sharpened their skills and made inroads into technology domains of the Europe. Rotors, combers, stenters, airjets and digital printing are some of the areas where the Chinese have spread their wings. Their hunger for latest technology is also undiminished.

India stands No. 2, followed by other countries including Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, most of whom with varying interests in various segments and some of them even excelling in specific areas. A few of the European companies to whom the Editor had informal chat during his visit to attend ITMA Asia? 2014, expressed their confidence that the entire future of textiles lies with China & India.

The ITMA Asia? 2014 had a 31 per cent rise in number of exhibitors to reach a total of 1550 in about 14 Halls. Two-thirds of exhibitors are from China, and Made in China was more conspicuous than in all the previous shows in the past. According to Wang Shutian, President of China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA), with digital era maturing, the digital printing was accommodated in a separate Hall. "Importance was given to three important aspects in the development of textile technology: one is smart & networking technology, the second is energy saving & waste reduction and last but not the least is the new materials.

According to Charless Beaudoin, President of CEMATEX, World Trade Organisations data reveals that the global textile trade has hit a figure of $708 billion in 2013, with clothes taking a share of $423 billion and other textiles $286 billion. Chinas share is a whopping 33 per cent at $285 billion. The CEMATEX is all-out for the new venue for the next ITMA Asia? 2016 which will be held from October 24 to 28, 2016.

The global textile machinery industry is unndiivided on one issue: China is here to dominate for the next 10 years at least, and that Indias potential is bigger, but it has miles to go before converting the opportunity to its adavantage.

Hermann Selker, Director of Marketing, Truetzschler, is excited about the Indian market. "Truetzschler has the biggest set-up in Ahmedabad in India, which has a workforce of 850. This is bigger than the ones in Germany or China. German quality in India is now available. India is strong in the domestic market, but in exports, China has the lead and got the upper hand," says Selker.

Chief of Biancalani of Italy, Rossano Biancalanis sentiments are similar in more ways than one to that of Selkers. "Indias potential is as big as Chinas, but Chinas decision as faster. India sits on decisions and implementation. Lets hope that with the new Government, this improves," says Rossano. Biancalanis CMD hinted at a huge order his company, which is a leader in finishing technology, has bagged from a terry towel unit in India. "We have had very good successes with Vardhaman Group and Arvind in new orders. Our finishing touch to fabrics is very unique and it is the need of the hour for Indias textile exporting industry," Rossano says.

Saurer Group has completed one year since its separation from the Oerlikon Group. The re-established Saurer Group looks back on 160 years of experience in improving production processes at different stages of the textile value chain. "Today, Saurer Group has over 4000 employees and is still going strong. Its major markets are China and India. Its high-end products are being manfact