Garware-Wall Ropes Ltd. (GWRL), one of India’s leading players in technical textiles with a widespread global presence, deploys its expertise in engineering of polymers and in-depth knowledge of customer needs in providing application-focused solutions for various sectors, including deep-sea fishing, aquaculture, shipping, agriculture, sports, infrastructure, defence and transportation.
Garware has three large integrated manufacturing facilities in Pune, Wai and Silvassa, where a wide variety of products are produced, including ropes, nets and aquaculture cages for capturing and breeding fish, nets for sports such as tennis and soccer, insect and shade nets for high-value agriculture, coated fabrics for covers, tarps, tents, etc., and geosynthetic solutions for water management, waste management and erosion- control applications.
Garware Wall Ropes earned a revenue of Rs. 688.79 crores for the year ended March 31, 2014, an increase of 12.4 per cent from Rs. 603.05 crores the previous year. Domestic sales of the company’s products stood at Rs. 347.38 crores, whereas export sales amounted to Rs. 341.41 crores, forming 49.6 per cent of the total revenue, for the year under review. Despite constraints and the challenging environment, the company earned a net profit after tax of Rs. 26.66 crores, with an improvement of 7.50 per cent over the previous year. The company continues to be the world leader in manufacturing of products in this field.
Widening the net in fisheries
In 2013-14, GWRL strengthened its presence in the domestic fisheries sector, especially in the trawling segment, by offering customers and end-users new products, which deal effectively with challenges they face in their daily operations and deliver higher value-realisation and cost savings.
Successfully commercialised and ramped-up innovations include OPENER, for the mouth portion of the net, ROCKY, for safe fishing on rocky grounds, STAR, for better speed and water outflow in the belly portion of the net and KNOTLESS CODEND, which makes sure that there is no damage to the catch.
An integrated combination of these products in one net gives boat-owners substantially higher catch, savings and profit. These benefits have been intensively communicated to existing and potential customers through close interactions, leading to firm enquiries and orders.
Transforming aquaculture
Continuing its deep engagement with the rapidly growing aquaculture sector, GWRL provided an innovative solution to persistent problems faced by users. Their net-pens (marine cages) were frequently fouled by algae, mussels and other living organisms. Conventionally, the problem of fouling was prevented by applying copper-based solutions on the net.
Apart from increasing operating cost, this solution raises environmental concerns and is considered undesirable by many consumers. Studying the problem intensively, GWRL’s engineers came up with an inventive and path-breaking solution. They went down to the very root of the problem and came up with STAR, a net-pen made, not from nylon, the traditional net-material, but a new material that inherently resists fouling, and does not require copper treatment.
Role of technical textiles in agriculture
Technical textiles which are used for value-added applications such as shade nets, crop covers, mulch nets, anti-hail nets, bird-protection nets and greenhouse covers, are expected to usher in the second ‘Green Revolution’ in the country. GWRL is well-poised to contribute to this transformation, with a range of products for applications in high-value agriculture. In FY 2013-14, it expanded the range, with the launch of insect-protection nets, which prevent infestation by thrips and other insects that damage crops of horticulturists and other farmers.
In the process, the GWRL product serves an important environmental goal, it prevents or reduces use of chemical insecticides and pesticides. While cultivation of fruits and vegetables in protected environments is well-established, other application areas for technical textiles, like sericulture and floriculture, are gaining recognition.
Users are looking for long-lasting nets that provide uniform light dispersion, diffusion, coloration, and protection from ultraviolet rays. Meeting these needs, GWRL’s R&D team is devising a range of products with varied specifications to suit different terrains.
Adding new dimension to coated fabrics
Building on its recent foray in technologically enhanced coated fabrics, GWRL expanded the application range, introducing a multi-purpose, multi-benefit product for users of tents and pandals. Named as GURU Max, the product provides five-pronged protection, against fire, UV rays, dust, wind and water. Rigorously tested, GURU Max has surpassed customer expectations. The product lasts longer than conventional materials and is thus economical over the long term.
While the conventional textile used to erect tents or pandals is made from highly ignitable materials which may act as the primary source of fire percolation, the GWRL product is made from fire-retardant fabrics that prevent the spread of flames and also provide a pleasant aesthetic environment. The application range of coated fabrics was also expanded by launch of a product to prevent infestation of farmed salmon. The product complements GWRL’s offerings for the aquaculture sector worldwide.
With a strong research and development team, the marketing of new products has enabled growth of its market share in the international market. The new business segments of coated fabrics and agri-tech products are showing promising performance. Driven by the mission to provide innovative, application-focused solutions to enhance value of customers globally, the company has secured customers across all continents in over 75 countries. End-users include fishermen, shipping companies, oil drillers, agriculturists, packers, transporters, construction companies, municipalities, government organisations, clubs, universities and manufacturing plants.
With the global economy picking up especially in Europe and the US, there is growth in demand for Garware’s products from Europe, Canada and the US, which are the key markets for the company outside India.