The Indian Technical Textiles Association (ITTA) has completed ten years, during which time it has created an effective platform for the Indian technical textile industry to learn, grow, network and do business across the globe. At the recently concluded e-AGM of the association, Dr. Anup Rakshit, Executive Director, ITTA thanked the Ministry of Textiles for its continued support to this industry.
He highlighted the two major schemes for technical textiles that the ministry announced this year. One is the National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM) with an outlay of Rs 1480 crore for four years wherein four components are included; and the other is Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme on Technical Textiles & Man-made Fibres segments with an outlay of Rs 10,683 crore. “Both the schemes put together will give a boost to the Indian technical textile Industry in coming years,” he believes.
The NTTM comprises of multiple steering committees to layout and execute the vision of NTTM. ITTA is part of these committees at the apex level. Dr. Sundararaman K S, Chairman, ITTA, in his presidential address at the e-AGM highlighted that ITTA has been in the forefront of responding to the Covid-19 crisis at the national level.
“While supporting the domestic PPE manufacturing sector, ITTA also represented, on multiple fora, the cause of exporters of facemasks, PPE, laminated fabrics, etc. The association is working with the government to find out a balanced solution for catering to the needs of the Indian market, as well as export markets. During the pandemic, the technical textiles industry was able to create a new segment worth Rs 7000 crore,” he said.
Dr Sundaram said, “We have also requested the government to lift the ban on the meltblown fabrics, the government has indicated that this will happen soon. On multiple fronts, overall technical textile industry will be growing rapidly in the coming years.”
The government had recently announced its interest in creating an export promotion council for technical textiles. ITTA has submitted its application and representation for the same to the government.
Unprecedented interest in technical textiles by Indian government
There is unprecedented amount of focus in the government on growing technical textiles sector, which started with the 207 list of HSN codes, 92 mandatory items, NTTM and recently PLI scheme. In addition to the PLI scheme, the government is looking at creating international linkages to both grow the profile of Indian technical textiles as well as to bring international testing agencies into the country.
ITTA mooted an idea which is been taken up by the government and today it is working with the Telangana government to create world-class testing labs in the state of Telangana. ITTA is also working closely with the BIS for the formulation of Indian standards on technical textiles.
Speaking at the event, Chief Guest Punit Lalbhai, Executive Director, Arvind Ltd. shared his experience in Arvind and working in the technical textile industry. He believes that while there may be some challenges to the organised growth of the Indian technical textile industry, there are numerous opportunities for the industry, within the country and in international markets.
