Emerging Opportunity

I am an optimistic person who sees the glass to be half full. There is certainly opportunity in the technical textiles sector in India. However, greater understanding and proper investments are necessary to enable growth. Technology utilization and dissemination of techno-commercial information are needed to have viable growth. Just as I was penning this article, I had the opportunity to attend an intellectually stimulating panel discussion here in Lubbock hosted by Texas Tech University in partnership with US based Society of Environmental Journalists. This discussion focused on agriculture, environment and other topical themes and was eyeing what will happen in 2050? With the population growth and the potential depletion of some finite natural resources, the panel debated the options to keep the world alive and kicking. Two things came out loud and clear, which are aptly suited for the growth of Indias technical textiles sector: 1) Suitable technology utilization and 2) Communication. For example, the panel discussion focused on the situation of water in West Texas and its impact on cotton crop in near future. Cotton requires around 18 inches of precipitation, whereas West Texas normally gets around 3-4 inches of rain. How is cotton plantation viable then? This is possible because of the modern agricultural practices adopted by cotton growers and the constant research and development activities undertaken by the cotton industry here in the USA. In this context, attention was brought on the phenomenal efforts in R & D undertaken by the cotton sector using molecular biology and genetics. These have resulted in the development of drought tolerant and herbicide resistant cotton varieties. Such R & D efforts tell us the need to use methods and technologies that are suitable for ones own environment. In the case of West Texas, due to weather conditions, it is necessary to develop cotton varieties which can withstand severe drought conditions. Farmers are conserving water by using drip irrigation method. These are some examples of technology adaptation. In addition, the US cotton industry is doing a great job in communicating with all stakeholders such as the Government with regard to support programs and with end-users with regards to sustainability and comfort characteristics of cotton. These practices are enabling the US cotton industry to be highly competitive. The Indian technical textiles industry should learn from such success models and should bring in technologies that are relevant and viable to Indian situation and market conditions.

Enablers and Action Items

There are four important enablers which will help the nascent technical textiles sector in India. These are:

1. Growth in the economy. It is predicted that the GDP growth in 20010-11 will be around 7.8%.
2. Population growth and abundance of young population.
3. Rise in disposable income and
4. Need for diversification in the textile industry for its survival and growth.

Necessary Action Items for Growth

1. Relevant technology adaptation.
2. Developing the converting sector. The sector which takes roll goods (or fabrics) and makes them into usable products is of much need in India.
3. Creating a supply chain for the technical textiles sector which will link roll good manufacturers, fiber producers, convertors, retailers and end-users. Heretofore, this aspect is a missing link.
4. Creating growth friendly policies with particular emphasis on the converting sector. Policies to-date are not focusing on this sector.
5. Creating communication channels to infuse technology and techno-commercial information across the supply chain.
   

In summary, proper planning, pertinent technology adaptation, creating supply chain and proper knowledge dissemination for all stakeholders will enable the growth of technical textiles in India.

The author is associated with Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA

Here I refers to the author of the article