Source: Hindu

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Context

Annual export of technical textiles will cross $10 billion by 2030, said Union Minister for Textiles, inaugurating a conference and exhibition on technical textiles in New Delhi.

Details

About Technical Textiles

Aspect	Description
Definition	Technical textiles are materials and products manufactured for their technical and performance properties rather than aesthetics.
Composition	Made from synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, aramid, and carbon fiber; also includes natural fibers like cotton for specific applications.
Production Techniques	Involves advanced processes such as weaving, knitting, non-woven techniques, coating, lamination, and 3D weaving.
Key Features	High strength, durability, flexibility, resistance to heat, moisture, and chemicals.
Functionality	Designed to offer specific functionality such as protection, insulation, filtration, and reinforcement in various sectors.
Applications	Used in industries like aerospace, automotive, construction, healthcare, agriculture, and sports.
Smart Textiles	Some technical textiles integrate electronics, sensors, and actuators, enabling them to respond to environmental changes.
Sustainability	Increasing use of eco-friendly fibers and recycling processes to minimize environmental impact.

Difference Between Technical Textiles and Normal Textiles

Aspect	Technical Textiles	Normal Textiles
Purpose	Designed for functional purposes (e.g., protection, filtration, insulation).	Primarily designed for aesthetics and comfort (e.g., clothing, upholstery).
Material Composition	Often uses synthetic, high-performance fibers (e.g., polyester, nylon).	Uses natural fibers like cotton, silk, or synthetic fibers for comfort and style.
Production	Involves advanced production techniques like lamination, non-woven fabrics.	Traditional processes like weaving and knitting are commonly used.
Durability	High durability, designed for specific industrial or protective uses.	Less durable, designed for general use such as fashion or home textiles.
Applications	Used in industries like aerospace, healthcare, construction, and automotive.	Used mainly in clothing, home décor, and everyday wear.
Performance Properties	Heat resistance, moisture control, chemical resistance, high strength.	Softness, breathability, aesthetics, comfort.
Testing & Standards	Subject to rigorous testing and adherence to international technical standards.	Basic quality checks for color fastness, texture, etc.
Cost	Generally more expensive due to advanced materials and processing techniques.	Usually more affordable and mass-produced.

Technical Textiles Sector in India

• India is the second largest producer of polyester in the world.
• Technical textiles account for approximately 13% of India’s total textile and apparel market.
• This sector contributes 0.7% to India’s GDP.
• There is a huge potential to fulfill a large demand gap as the consumption of technical textiles in India is still only 5-10%, compared to 30-70% in some advanced countries.
• Technical textiles, a sunrise sector, has gained more relevance during the Covid-19 crisis when global manufacturing halted, and there was a ban on the export of critical medical equipment.
• Packtech accounts for 41% of the total market share, though it is considered a low-value, low-technology product.
• The availability of raw materials such as cotton, wood, jute, and silk, along with a strong value chain, low-cost labor, power, and changing consumer trends, are key contributing factors to India’s growth in this sector.

Global Market Size

• Technical textiles have seen an upward trend globally in recent years due to improving economic conditions.
• Indutech, Mobiltech, Packtech, Buildtech, and Hometech together represent two-thirds of the global market in value.
• The demand for technical textiles was pegged at $165 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow to $220 billion by 2025.
• The Asia-Pacific region leads the sector, capturing 40% of the global market.

Government Initiatives to Boost Technical Textiles Market

• Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) Codes for Technical Textiles: In 2019, the Ministry of Textiles assigned 207 HSN codes specifically for technical textiles to help in monitoring import and export data, providing financial support, and offering incentives to manufacturers.
• The Government of India allows 100% FDI under the automatic route.
• Technotex India: A flagship event organized by the Ministry of Textiles, in collaboration with FICCI, bringing together stakeholders from across the global technical textile value chain.
• National Technical Textiles Mission: Approved by CCEA with a total outlay of $194 million in February 2020, with a four-year implementation period (FY 2020-24) and four components:

1. Research, Innovation, and Development
2. Promotion and Market Development
3. Export Promotion
4. Education, Training, and Skill Development

Schemes

• Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP): Aims to boost entrepreneurship by providing financial support and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
• Centres of Excellence: The Ministry of Textiles launched the Technology Mission on Technical Textiles (TMTT) with two mini-missions for a period of five years from 2010-15. This led to the creation of eight Centres of Excellence to provide infrastructure support, lead research, and conduct tests on various technical textiles.
• Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS): Implemented by the Ministry of Textiles in January 2016 for a period of seven years, the objective of ATUFS is to improve exports and indirectly promote investments in textile machinery.
• State Schemes: Many states, such as Gujarat and Maharashtra, have actively promoted technical textiles through their respective textile policies.
• A $1.4 Trillion National Infrastructure Pipeline was unveiled in December 2019. The identified projects include energy, road, railway, urban development, irrigation, and health sectors, where technical textiles can be used extensively.
• Setting Up Mega Textiles Park: Aimed at creating world-class textile infrastructure for increased investment, employment, and exports.

Issues in Textile Sector

Shortage in supply of raw material, increase in cost of raw material, Inflexible labor laws, Pressure to meet stringent social and environmental norms, Infrastructural bottlenecks, highly fragmented, Uneven regional development.

Way Forward

• The governance model for a mega textile park could involve a national level SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) where the Ministry of Textiles holds 51% ownership, and 49% is held by the states, represented by various textile parks set up across the country.
• It is essential to have a sound and dynamic National Textile Policy:
  • • The National Textile Policy was released in 2000.
    • A revised policy should account for changing domestic and global needs, recognize the potential of the “fourth industrial revolution”, and aim to improve the overall supply chain with structural reforms in current trade practices.
• The importance of R&D in technical textiles should be driven through academia:
  • • Textile engineering students in universities, institutions, polytechnics, and applied sciences should be provided with learning and advanced experimental knowledge in specialized scientific subjects.
• The formation of a ‘National Centre of Research in Technical Textiles’ could be proposed as a first step toward creating a formal institutional structure. This could be set up either within an existing institution or as a separate entity.
• Establishing standards will help technical textiles move towards mandatory usage and the institutionalizationof these products.
• It is crucial that the Ministry of Textiles adopts a two-pronged strategy to create a pool of workers with technical skills:
  1. Bolstering the existing curriculum in colleges offering courses on textile engineering is a key first step.
  2. The second line of strategy could align with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), providing vocational training for running basic operations in technical textile manufacturing units.

Sources: IndianExpress

PRACTICE QUESTION Q: The technical textiles sector in India is projected to grow at a rate of 12% per year. To achieve its potential of nearly 20% annual growth, multi-pronged strategy is required. Discuss. (250 Words)