Technical textiles has now emerged one of the most innovative sectors with their ever-widening applications in view of growing industrialisation worldwide. While technical textiles constitute almost 54 per cent of the global textile industry, in India it is negligibly low at 10 per cent. Based on the latest estimate that the domestic technical textile sector has the potential to register a 20 per cent CARG over the next decade, the Modi Government has now launched a special drive involving four major schemes, including a technology mission for its promotion and growth.
The main emphasis of the schemes, as announced in Parliament by Mr. Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister for Textiles, is on strengthening the database and standards for technical textiles, greater application of agri-textiles in the north-eastern region and a restructured TUFS. The Ministry has also approved setting up of integrated textile parks, with a provision to offer assistance for creation of infrastructure in the parks to the extent of 40 per cent but limited to Rs. 40 crores each. Also envisaged is the establishment of eight Centres of Excellence (CoE) for indigenous development of prototypes. All technical textile manufacturing units have now access to Government finance for R&D activities.
As elsewhere, the booming automotive sector in India has proved a major consumer of such textile items as tyre reinforcements, airbags, seat coverings, etc. Rapid urbanisation and rising per capita income have encouraged Indians to gradually adapt to the Western lifestyle with a greater resort made to hygiene, personal care and safety products. Further, reduced labour availability in agriculture and transport is encouraging use of such items in everyday life. At the current encouraging rate of sectoral growth, India can very well compete, sooner than later, even with advanced nations both in the production and use of technical textiles.