The Ministry of Textiles in partnership with Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA) and Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA) organised a full-day event “National Conclave on Technical Textiles – Protech” in Delhi on November 16. The Chief Guest, who is Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India Rachna Shah, inaugurated the Conclave.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles also inaugurated the exhibition of companies encompassing a wide range of protective textile products.

There were three panel discussions in the conclave covering. They were (1) the Prospect indigenization of Protective Textile products in India, (2) the Experience and Expectations of consumers towards adoption of Indian protective textiles, and (3) the Market promotion & Export opportunities of Protective Textiles in India along with Global Best Practices.

Around 450 participants attended the conclave including Officials and Representatives from Central Government, Indian Forces, researchers, entrepreneurs and professionals related to technical textiles especially Protech.

Speaking at the event, Rachna Shah highlighted that India’s textile industry is a major contributor to the Indian economy and India’s etc. The Technical Textile is a sunrise industry with a robust growth rate of 10 percent annually. However, the sector is still small in size and there is a lot of opportunity for India to be a prominent player in the global arena.

Talking about the vibrancy and energy in the Technical Textiles sector, she added that India is poised to emerge as a powerful destination for manufacturing and exports. However, it is the need of the hour to focus on product diversification, and design, aesthetics, as well as need for training for the manpower involved.

She highlighted the concerted effort by the Ministry of Textiles under the National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM) to develop and implement standards for the technical textiles items and produce and market quality products that are at par with international standards.

She highlighted that one of the most prominent applications of technical textiles is in the protective segment, which is used for its functional performance in the areas of protection. Focus should be on indigenization of technology and implementation of quality standards in niche Protech items, given the spur in global demand and usage for Protech products, she further added.

The Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Roop Rashi in her address mentioned that there is a need to focus on outcome-oriented Research and Development ( R&D) in the sector. Given the Ministry of Textiles’ focus on R&D which is a major component of the NTTM, tremendous growth is anticipated in the coming years. She apprised about the Government’s efforts on resolving issues in this sector in terms of credit support, subsidy support, and facilitation of investment flow among others. She mentioned that the Technical Textiles industry will be a catalyst to fulfil India’s vision of Industry 4.0.

The Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Rajeev Saxena, presented on the credentials of the Indian technical textiles market, especially protech, to the august gathering of the conclave. He emphasised on the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) and its components including Research, Development and Innovation; Skilling, Training and Education; Promotion and Market Development; and Export Promotion.

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