Q. Please highlight the bottlenecks (production and marketing) for nonwovens industry in India? How to overcome them?

A: Lack of knowledge is a bottleneck that India as the product is into its initial stage in India.  The second is absence of converters in India to transform the roll goods into a consumable product.  Development of conversion industry in the medium and small scale sector is essential for growth of this industry.  We have seen this happen in plastic industry during the Seventies and same model has to be repeated for the Nonwovens industry.

The final nonwovens product is affordable by current market prices and industry will grow rapidly when taken up by large world players.  The advent of supermarkets makes the marketing of these products easier. 

We have example of success in scrub market where 3M scotch bright has become household name and at least another 5 companies have started making similar nonwoven products and established a distribution network. Indian shoe and garment industry is large enough and exports all over the world. However most of the nonwovens requirement of these industries is still imported due to no availability of quality goods in the local market.

Q. Is the Indian nonwoven industry competent enough to cater to the entire value chain from raw material to finished product? What are the probable applications that Indian nonwoven manufacturers should focus on?

A: Indian Nonwovens industry is competent but limited by old technology and second hand machines.  We need to invest in latest technology for markets in Filtration, Geotextiles, medical textiles and Protective textiles. 

There is also a huge scope in Agricultural textiles which is left untapped.  Countries like Egypt are using Nonwovens in greater quantities (exported from India) to improve agricultural productivity.  Horticulture and Floriculture industry can also benefit immediately by Nonwovens.  Knowledge and availability are important factors in the industry. 

Governmental initiative similar to that made in Drip Irrigation is essential for fast development.  The use of Geotextiles has already begun and with little more support like regulatory mechanism or mandate. This industry will grow rapidly due to basic economic advantages of using Geotextiles in all infrastructure related projects.

Q. Do you think the government initiatives / support is sufficient for this upcoming industry? If not, what are the additional requirements in terms of policy initiatives?

A: Policy initiatives are required to standardize the use of Geotextiles in major infrastructure projects.   There has to be more state wise incentive to promote Geotextiles companies in every developing region. 

For Medical hygiene end use, compulsory use of disposables in hospitals will reduce cross infection in hospitals and thereby reduce overall health  care costs to the Nation. 

Policy initiative is required in Agriculture to use Nonwovens for Crop protection.  Major fertilizer companies should take up distribution of these products so that it can reach the farmers with minimum distribution costs in a vast country like India. 

Strict norms in pollution control and environmental protection will necessitate use of filters in the industry at various levels.  Strict effluent and air pollution standards (similar to USA and Europe) and their implementation will give impetus to growth of Nonwoven filter media.  This is already a fast growing market in rest of the world.

Indian exports in Nonwovens are miniscule.  We have the Raw materials for nonwoven products, only need to invest in roll goods and conversion industry to supply to rest of the world in the most economic way.  China has taken the lead and done successfully and there is no reason why India cannot do the same.  If we can compete in Garments, we can also compete in Converted products.