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Jute geotextile commands huge business potential – Mr Maran
18 Nov '09
2 min read
The golden fibre, the other name for jute has been around for centuries, but with limited applications, due to little or no product development, due to which despite it being environmentally friendly, the jute sector is not witnessing a decent growth rate.
But all that is set to change now. Jute geo-textiles (JGT) are emerging as a major driving force and could turn the fortunes of the jute sector, which has been witnessing a distressing period, since the last few decades, more so due to government apathy.
The Union Textiles Minister recently inaugurated a five-year, $3.6-million project to identify potentially important JGT for use in control of soil erosion and rural road construction and standardization of design, methodology and specifications for use of jute geotextiles.
The Common Fund for Commodities, Amsterdam, a UN body, will finance the project with the Dhaka-based International Jute Study Group being the supervisory body and the Jute Manufacturers Development Council (JMDC), Kolkata the executive arm for the project.
The Government of India on its part will contribute $1.25 million for implementation of the project activities in India and the Bangladesh Government would contribute $0.57 million.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Maran said that the mantra for survival of the jute sector is product diversification and the JGT offers a good chance to the industry to diversify and capture new market.
He said JGT being a cost-effective and versatile material for ground modification and stabilisation, the use of these materials remain far below potential, despite the country boasting of the second largest road network in world and robust indigenous fibre base.
Mr Maran said jute geotextiles command a business potential of Rs 1,260 crore in the 21,000-km national highway being upgraded by the Government.
The Indian government has planned laying of 24,000 km of roads to provide connectivity to rural areas, for which JGT could generate a market potential of Rs 8.68 billion and the 21,000 km national highways upgrade could mean an additional Rs 12.6 billion, he said.
He advised the jute sector to shape up in view of the tremendous potential the road infrastructure spending of the government was going to throw up and called for an urgent need to standarise if JGT was to find acceptability in domestic and global markets.
But all that is set to change now. Jute geo-textiles (JGT) are emerging as a major driving force and could turn the fortunes of the jute sector, which has been witnessing a distressing period, since the last few decades, more so due to government apathy.
The Union Textiles Minister recently inaugurated a five-year, $3.6-million project to identify potentially important JGT for use in control of soil erosion and rural road construction and standardization of design, methodology and specifications for use of jute geotextiles.
The Common Fund for Commodities, Amsterdam, a UN body, will finance the project with the Dhaka-based International Jute Study Group being the supervisory body and the Jute Manufacturers Development Council (JMDC), Kolkata the executive arm for the project.
The Government of India on its part will contribute $1.25 million for implementation of the project activities in India and the Bangladesh Government would contribute $0.57 million.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Maran said that the mantra for survival of the jute sector is product diversification and the JGT offers a good chance to the industry to diversify and capture new market.
He said JGT being a cost-effective and versatile material for ground modification and stabilisation, the use of these materials remain far below potential, despite the country boasting of the second largest road network in world and robust indigenous fibre base.
Mr Maran said jute geotextiles command a business potential of Rs 1,260 crore in the 21,000-km national highway being upgraded by the Government.
The Indian government has planned laying of 24,000 km of roads to provide connectivity to rural areas, for which JGT could generate a market potential of Rs 8.68 billion and the 21,000 km national highways upgrade could mean an additional Rs 12.6 billion, he said.
He advised the jute sector to shape up in view of the tremendous potential the road infrastructure spending of the government was going to throw up and called for an urgent need to standarise if JGT was to find acceptability in domestic and global markets.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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