Technical textiles, a thrust area for the government because of the value addition involved is all set for demand taking off for products such as geo and agro textiles, Textile Commissioner Kavita Gupta said. It can be used in infrastructure projects, including ports, roads, and railways, and in sectors such as agriculture.
Geo textiles, for example, are permeable fabrics that are used in association with soil and which have the ability to separate and filter, while agro-textiles are used in shading and in weed and insect control.
In an effort to increase use of technical textiles in government projects, Gupta said that she is trying to promote interface with other ministries.
Textile minister Smriti Zubin Irani has already spoken to agriculture, urban development, health, and surface transport ministers and is expected to have discussions with defence, railways, and heavy industries ministers too. The aim is to create awareness, promote use of technical textile products, then ensure the usage is mandated in at least some areas.
The textile commissioner said that the number of larger industries involved in the manufacture of various technical textile products is estimated to be about 2,500 and a close to 1,000 of these have received Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme support.
The main challenges for technical textiles in the country are awareness among consumers, need for technology and knowledge about it among entrepreneurs, the investments and time needed to be innovative and develop applications, and raw material availability.
Although, China is a generation ahead in production of technical textiles but due to high costs, there is a tremendous opportunity for India.
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