INDA will be soon establishing its office in India upon receiving the necessary approval from the Government of India. As the mission of INDA-India is to create a win-win situation for the Indian textile industry and INDA member companies, initial efforts will focus on the transfer of knowledge via a series of training courses/seminars.

In October 2007, a mega international conference on nonwovens is planned in Mumbai. This international forum will open doors for many leading nonwoven companies to know about the Indian market and industry, which will, in near future create JVs and marketing opportunities for both parties.

More importantly, Indian textile industry will be able to get a deeper understanding of the technology, products and interact with global players such as Freudenberg, Ahlstrom, Saurer-Neumag, etc. It is hoped that the INDA�s international conference will spearhead the creation and growth of a major nonwoven industry base in India.

The Indo-US collaboration with the arrival of INDA in India will certainly boost the contribution of the Indian textile industry to the GDP and will attract FDIs in India. Simply put, INDA-INDIA cooperation will enable the Indian SMS consumer society to tap the potential and opportunities of the SMS technology (Spunbond-Meltblown-Spunbond nonwoven technology).

It is pleasing to report that the Indian Government is considering technical textiles as a thrust area and is promoting this sector with positive schemes. A sum of Rs. 96 crores has been requested in the 11th five-year plan for creating awareness and setting-up 6 centers of excellence.

It will be of immense benefit to set-up one center solely dedicated to nonwovens technology, which will be a �One-Stop� R&D center with pilot plant capabilities in four major nonwoven technologies: 1) needlepunch-thermalbond; 2) Spunbond; 3) Meltblown and 4) Spunlace. Such an endeavor is not possible with an investment of 15 crores requested for the creation of one center. A public-private partnership and in this case, an international effort is needed.

With the involvement of INDA in India, Ministry of Textiles is provided with a helping hand. INDA member companies that are serious in creating opportunities for themselves in India will be encouraged to support such a joint endeavor as it provides a win-win situation. All stakeholders have to work towards achieving this goal, which in long run will create a self-sustaining nonwoven technical textile industry in India.

In recent past, Indian textile industry is looking for diversification beyond apparels and garment sectors and nonwoven/technical textiles industry is certainly an option. Already, Indian consumers are bombarded with mass media campaigns for nonwoven products such as Pampers and Huggies. With the retail industry boom on the horizon, there is certainly a bright future for the nonwoven industry in India.

Let us all work towards creating a thriving nonwoven industry in India.

About the author:

Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar is Assistant Professor at Nonwoven and Advanced Materials Laboratory, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA. He is also Co-Chairman of INDA-India Committee, INDA, USA. He has come to India to promote Nonwoven Fabrics Industry.

Email: Seshadri.Ramkumar@TIEHH.TTU.edu

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