Textile industry is among the largest users of chemicals globally and is highly water-intensive. Over 2000 different chemicals are used in the industry, which account for almost 25% of the chemicals produced globally. The textile industry is estimated to use more water than any industry globally, and almost all water discharged is highly polluted.

Dyeing and finishing processes account for 90% of the total textile wastewater. Fibre wastewater discharge amounts to 12%, and other textile processing accounts for 8% of effluent discharge. Developing a solution that minimizes the utilization of water and at the same time reduces pollution is the need of the hour.

A unique dyeing solution was presented at the recently held PCI Fibres Conference that took place on 7th and 8th November 2013 at Hong Kong. This solution is used for spun dyed viscose fabrics. It conserves water and is environmentally friendly in comparison to the conventional dyeing process for the fabric. Unlike the traditional dyeing technique, the pigment used for dyeing is inserted into the viscose solution prior to the spinning stage of the viscose staple fibre using dope dyed technology.

The process can save up to 30 liters of water per meter of fabric processing in contrast to gallons of water used for dyeing using regular dyeing processes. The dyes and chemicals used in usual coloring processes stick to the surface of the fabric and hence tend to lose color with repeated washing and abrasion. While this novel technology injects pigment dyes in the fibre production stage itself, which ensures deep colors are seeded inside every strand resulting in long-lasting colors. The solution provides brilliant colors, excellent fastness, and is available in an array of different colors. Since the dyeing is done in the fibre stage, there is uniformity in the color across all batches.

The process used is easy on the environment and is certified by Oeko-tex 100 by BTTG Manchester. Fabrics dyed using this technology are skin-friendly and eliminate subsequent need for dyeing grey fibre. It is also an extremely cost-saving technology and used to dye textile products like trousers, knitwear, uniforms, carpets, and upholsteries.

Useful insights on the Indian textile and apparel industry

The textile and apparel trends in the Indian textile industry were also widely discussed. The Indian textile & apparel industry is evolving from low to higher value-added products through improving functions such as design, reducing lead time, responding to market demands, and improving compliance. The textile & apparel industry, which includes both the domestic market and exports, is projected to grow at a 9% CAGR to reach USD 210 billion by 2022; the domestic textile & apparel market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% to reach USD 127 billion by 2022.

Textiles and apparel worth of USD 32.7 billion were exported from India in 2012. Apparel contributed 39%, and textiles 61%. Out of the 61% contributed by the textiles, 16% contribution to exports comes from yarns, 14% from fibres, 13% from fabrics, 9% from made-ups, and the rest 9% from other textile items that include nonwovens, laminated fabrics, felts, carpet, tarpaulins, etc. The textiles and apparel exports of India have grown at a healthy CAGR of 10% from 2005 to 2012. Most of this growth has been observed from the increase in exports of fibres. Exports of fibres have grown a CAGR of 37%, while CAGR for yarns is 13% during 2005-2012.

The biggest importer of Indian apparel is European Union, followed by USA and UAE. Their combined share in Indias apparel exports of 2012 stands at an overwhelming 78%. The next three exports destinations of apparel are Saudi Arabia, Japan and Canada. In textiles, the biggest export partner of India is China followed by the USA and EU. India also exports a large chunk of textiles to other apparel manufacturing countries like Bangladesh and Egypt.


India faces fierce competition from Asian countries like China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. However, the increase in labor cost and unavailability of labor has worked in advantage for India. India needs to increase its share in apparel exports and focus more on converting fibres, yarns, and fabrics to apparel within the country rather than focusing in exports of intermediary products.


Key Trends in the Indian textile and apparel industry


Emergence of advanced production technology, improvement management practices and evolving consumer expectations have given rise to a number of distinct trends in usages of raw material, production technology and prudent business management. Indian T&A industry has huge potential to grow and flourish, but at the same time, increasing competition from Asian peers, limited infrastructure, fragmented industry structure etc. are challenges facing industry. As the textile industry registers optimistic growth, there are some trends observed in last few years. The entire value chain, from fibre to garment has been going through a changing curve.


Emerging textile trends are:


1.      Growth in Synthetic Value Chain

2.      Innovation in Textile technology

3.      Advancement in Apparel manufacturing

4.      Shortage of Skilled Manpower

5.      Need for Strategic alliances

6.      Increase awareness and implementation of sustainable practices


References:


1.     textileassociationindia.org



Mr. Ajay Sardana is Assistant Vice President and Head of Global Customers and Market Intelligence at Aditya Birla Group