By Dipali Goenka
One of the oldest industries in the world, the Textile industry has modernised to adapt to current technological advancements. As the sector continues to grow, we as the Welspun Group have also come a long way from humble beginnings over 35 years ago to becoming a key player with a presence in more than 50 countries. Our consistent focus on several aspects has been the driving force behind this progress.
Adoption of newer technologies and implementation
The Textile industry continuously undergoes a metamorphosis in style, material, and manufacturing techniques, making it imperative for manufacturers to leverage technology for enhanced operations and products.
Welspun has always put in efforts to understand and make the best use of technological advancements that can aid the Textile industry. As mentioned earlier, Wel-Trak, a digital and third-party verification supported by blockchain technology, is our patented solution developed keeping our end users in mind.
In today’s world, strengthening the supply chain is of utmost importance. At the backend, the company is investing in Industry 4.0 technologies and capabilities to improve supply chain management and plant efficiencies. A dedicated team of analysts works closely with onshore replenishment teams to minimise the unpredictability in demand forecasting. All warehouses are equipped with the best supply chain management systems to ensure smooth processes – all of these practices are aimed at creating an optimised supply chain.
Our goals for digital transformation include adopting a data-centric approach by using machine learning, catering to changing consumer demands, increasing productivity and driving better decision-making.
Keeping sustainability at the core
It is no secret that our sector is among the most polluting ones worldwide – which is why textile manufacturing companies need to be conscious about the impact of processes on the planet and find ways to adopt environment-friendly practices to minimise such negative consequences. At Welspun, we are constantly at work to be more sustainable throughout operations and do our part in meeting ESG goals.
The 40 MLD Sewage Treatment plant at our Anjar factory has a capacity to recycle more than seven billion litres per year to meet our water requirement without harming the environment. We have worked to achieve our ‘Clean Air for All’ goal by reducing energy consumption and our carbon footprint. In FY22, 45% of the cotton we used was from sustainable sources. We also aim to achieve 100% sustainable cotton by the year 2030. Our ESG efforts have been noticed and recognised well – among recent achievements, CRISIL rated Welspun India with the highest ratings across all three dimensions in their Sustainability Year Book 2022. Welspun is constantly improving its farming techniques and making them more sustainable with the Wel-Krishi programme.
Continuous Innovation and consumer centricity
Questioning the status quo, understanding what the customers want, and setting new trends are how companies make its mark, and Welspun has always promoted innovation. Over 17 years ago, HygroCotton – made from Welspun’s patented spinning technology – created strides in the market, and we have not stopped since.
We are working towards wellness offerings for today’s health-conscious consumers by investing in technologies, such as charcoal. Given the increased consumer awareness around sustainability, Welspun has been working towards developing sustainable product offerings and using more sustainable fibres (BCI, Organic, Recycled Polyester).
Innovation and a desire to provide nothing short of the best for consumers have also been at the heart of our anti-allergen Nano Core products. These fabrics, which feature the Nano Core weave, have been certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) as allergy and asthma friendly. With 35+ patents, we aim to offer ample options to each of our consumers while also revolutionising the home textile category in India.
It is this confidence that the industry has put in us that encourages us to experiment and spearhead new movements to take the Textile Industry to newer heights. By embracing ESG goals and adapting to a rapidly evolving world, we want to build an organisation of the future and set examples along the way.