The year 2011-12 was a tough one for Birla Century due to high volatility in cotton prices and increase in costs of other inputs like wages, oil, gas, etc. However, the Birla Century textile unit has its competitive edge in terms of quality, design and innovative products. The unit continues to explore new markets which will help its growth both in India and overseas.
Birla Century is all set to launch during August the entire bed and bath category range such as bedsheets, towels, top of the bed products, etc. This range will cater to both economy and premium market segments.
The premium product range consists of attractive packaging with the products made out of superfine counts in 100% superior cottons, new age fibers and the digital print collection in multi-color prints and vibrant motifs. The made-ups are crafted to meet the international stitching standards and size.
Century Denim strategy
In its pursuit of adopting latest technologies, Century Denim has installed Oerlikon Schlafhorst Autocoro 8, which is considered the latest revolution in open-end spinning. It is a user-friendly machine requiring very low maintenance and offers high productivity. Its quick start ensures minimum production loss, and the Corolab QX clearing system ensures fault-free yarn.
The machine is capable of producing upto five lots at a time. Equipped with Corobox 20, single motor-driven rotors, magnetic axial and radial bearings, it is also capable of working at rotor speed of 20,000 rpm to 1,60,000 rpm for high production rate.
This is one of the first machines installed in Century Denim, equipped with fancy yarn spinning system for creative designing and production of a variety of fancy yarns for present day fashion requirements with cost effectiveness.
Rayon
The pot spun rayon yarn plant capacity was enhanced by adding seven spinning machines to meet the continuously rising market demand for finer denier. These machines were all indigenously developed by in-house engineering.
Similarly, five machines were added to the continuous spun yarn plant. The machines bought from China were commissioned in February 2012. Caustic soda production was also increased by installing a latest generation membrane cell electrolyser imported from Udhenora, Italy. The plant now produces 60 tonnes of caustic soda per day.
Energy conservation has always been on the top agenda of Century Rayon. Establishing its own benchmark and then improving, it has been the style for energy conservation. Maintaining the high standards, the division once again won the State-level Award for excellence in energy management.
Demand for VFY remained stable during the year, but the industry in general, in both the PSY and CSY segments, faced pressure on offtake due to substantial arrivals from China, coupled with inroads made by polyester yarn into some of the sectors hitherto dominated by VFY.
Cheap imports from China continue in large quantities in the form of doubled and twisted yarn and embroidery thread, in addition to regular yarn. A review petition for imposition of anti-dumping duty has been filed with the Government, and it is felt that anti-dumping duty on an ad-valorem basis will be imposed soon.
While no new substantial manufacturing capacities are likely to be added in these segments, the unit has made marginal investment and installed an additional 12 machines for manufacture of viscose filament yarn of about 900 tonnes per annum as per deniers produced. These are being used for manufacturing fine denier yarn which is preferred in the market.
After considerable dialogue between the Governments of India and Pakistan, the latter has recently taken VFY out of the negative list, thus allowing Indian manufacturers to export their products to that country. Pakistan is a major consumer of viscose filament yarn and its present requirements of about 25,000 tonnes per annum are met by imports from China. Indian VFY manufacturers would be benefited due to the geographical proximity.
Thanks to the unique lustre and feel of VFY, the finer deniers of viscose filament yarn (PSY & CSY) have been able to maintain their lead in the fashion industry. To counter the continuous threat of penetration by cotton and polyester, VFY will have to retain its position with technical improvements.