S Rajendran
Senior Vice President - Processing Division ATE India
Consistency in quality is a challenge for process houses with conventional technologies
India’s textile processing industry has blossomed, especially in volume. Steady growth is expected. The industry has its challenges. Yet, the future looks bright. S Rajendran, Senior Vice President - Processing Division of ATE India, discusses the industry.
What are the latest technologies integrated into your products from the processing division that are likely to attract more sales?
Recently, Monforts, Germany introduced a technology at high speed, between 70 to 80 metres per minute, for the denim finishing line. We have successfully installed that machine in India.
Also, Monforts' Eco Applicator will create a revolution in the Indian market. It can replace conventional finishing padder in the stenter. It can precisely apply moisture from 20 to 70 per cent, based on end-use. Since moisture can be controlled, it leads to high productivity and conservation of thermal energy.
Ramisch Guarneri has a special technology in Calender, by which pressure can be adjusted in each piston.It is highly suitable for technical textiles, especially for uniform air permeability in the fabric.
Goller has rich experience in handling delicate fabrics high in Lycra content. Goller has executed many ranges for warp-knitted fabric processing. Recently, we executed a relaxation range for processing bi-directional Lycra fabrics in India. The end user is happy with it. We keep receiving enquiries for this application.
Zimmer has introduced a new digital printing machine with Fuji Film printing heads. The ink can be circulated within the print head, and the print head can be dismantled for cleaning. It attracted many visitors during ITMA.
What is the size of the textile processing industry in india? what aspects of textile manufacturing does it cover?
More than 2,000 process houses are located across India. The industry is involved in the processing of woven apparel, fabrics, home textiles, knitted fabrics, denim and technical textiles.
What trends rule the indian textile processing industry?
Currently, the home textiles segment - which includes bed sheeting and terry towels - is doing well. Many players are increasing production of denim. New units are coming up. We anticipate steady growth of knitted fabrics processing. Production of apparel fabrics is high. The only sector where growth has not matched expectations, is technical textiles.
Which technologies, well accepted abroad, are likely to rule the indian textile processing industry?
We have brought all the latest technologies to India. We have good references in India.
Which machines ensure sustainable production?
All our machines have high levels of automation for sustainable production.
What challenges does this industry face? What would be your five-point agenda to tackle them?
Water scarcity is and will be one of the critical issues. Since the government is strict on pollution norms, managing wastewater is a challenge. The industry has understood the importance of recycling wastewater so processors are willing to invest in the right technology. The industry is looking for a reliable partner. One of our group companies, ATE Envirotech, has rich experience in this. They have executed more than 200 projects globally for various industries like textiles, pharma and sugar. We can offer a complete package solution like Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD). We introduced AAA concept in India for textile effluents, which is being appreciated by many users. We have tied up with Huber, Germany, well-known for sludge management. We have been recognised as a reliable partner for waste water treatment.
Less than 10 per cent of the process houses are modernised. The A segment and B segment are in the process of upgrading technology. The other process houses are operating with conventional technologies, so they face the challenge of consistency in quality. ATE is known for bringing the latest technology from the global market to India. ATE is the only organisation which can supply a package of machinery for processing fibre or yarn, woven or knitted fabrics, terry towels, denim and technical textiles. The market prefers a one-stop solution from ATE.
Talent management is another challenge. We do not have adequate technicians to manage operations at the middle-management level. The modernised plants need good technicians. ATE is focusing on training technicians. We have more than 30 engineers well trained in our principals. We conduct classroom training for technicians.
The next challenge is to compete against Bangladesh in cost of production. It is necessary to work on reducing costs, for which we need to focus on energy conservation. ATE is bringing technologies useful in conserving energy and in improving productivity.
Who are your competitors in spinning, fibre and yarn processing, woven fabric processing, home textiles and denim?
We deal with more than 75 principals to supply a package of machinery right from ginning to garmenting. For each vertical, we have few competitors. We differentiate ourselves from others with our technologies, after-sales services and approaches.
What tie-ups, mergers or acquisitions are you eyeing for the near future?
We have a package of machinery and we are in the process of bringing more.
What after-sales services do you offer?
ATE's success is the specific focus on after-sales service. We have more than 30 engineers, well trained by our principals. Our engineers are attached with regional offices across India, so end-users get quick services.
Please share details of your last two fiscals, and your expectations from the coming two.
We achieved a growth of 125 per cent during the last financial year. We are confident of maintaining this in the current year.
What is the r&d budget? Please share some of your research findings.
We do have our own R&D, and we have recently developed or introduced solar dishes for generating hot water or steam. End-users are happy.
Published on: 19/07/2016
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
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