India is invariably in the compromise-and-run mode
Founded in the late sixties, Colourtex Industries provides a product mix of over 750 dyes to the textile and leather industry. In conversation with Fibre2Fashion, the spokesperson of the company discusses the ups and downs for the textile niche.
What is the size of the global market for textile dyes and chemicals? At what rate is it growing?
Whatever the size of the dyes and chemicals market, supply exceeds demand. Real issues plaguing the industry are water and pollution management. These are water intensive industries and the world is running short of potable water. Other present and long-term concerns are labour and the environment. Those who can manage these variables prudently will survive and sustain. Size and growth of the industry do not really excite us any more.
What is the rate at which your company is growing? What is the target set for the next two years?
Colourtex had enjoyed good growth in the past ten years. Backward integration and focused market approach have helped but the times ahead are going to be tough.
Which are your major markets for textile dyes, DTP inks and specialty chemicals?
Commodities will continue to be our strength, though we are working seriously on digital inks, special range of dyes of high fast specifications and performance chemicals for textiles.
Which major sectors in the Indian textile industry need immediate government intervention? What is the kind of governmental help that will advance growth in your field?
Other than offer sops and impose regulations, the government can do little to resolve industry problems. This industry has been there for a very long while and its problems and solutions are related to time, intent and resources.
How do you see the Indian textile industry evolve in terms of technology by 2020?
The Indian textile industry is adopting newer technologies slower than the rest of the world. Countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and China have gone ahead with technology.
What percentage of processing units in India have incorporated sustainable operations and waste water treatments?
In the domestic textile industry, we are short of resources and intent by and large. So we continue to be in the compromise-and-run mode.
What are the key technological trends dominating textile dyes and chemicals?
Since China began large scale dye manufacture and started offering them at a low cost in the 1970s, European companies who pioneered research and development of synthetic dyes moved out of dyestuffs. Most of the research in dyes and chemicals today is not in development of new molecules but in formulations of existing molecules and their applications.
India missed out on a golden opportunity after the phasing out of quotas in early 2000. Once again, doorways have opened for India including the rising cost of labour in China and other issues elsewhere. What are the top actions that the government and the industry need to take so that we do not miss out on the opportunity again?
We have a fixed mindset. There is absolutely no comparison between us and China. Chinese labour costs may have gone up but their productivity makes them more economical and efficient. What we gain in our creativity, we lose in lack of discipline. We are content to meet immediate and less stringent domestic demand. This is the mindset of 80 per cent of the players. The rest are progressive and futuristic.
Published on: 17/07/2017
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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