Our aim is to establish Tamil Nadu as India’s leading technical textile hub
As the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu sharpens its focus on technical textiles, sustainability and global competitiveness, the state government is stepping up with targeted policies and industry collaborations. In this interview with Fibre2Fashion, R Lalitha, I.A.S, Commissioner of Textiles, Government of Tamil Nadu, shares insights into the state’s strategic priorities. She discusses the significance of the Techtextil India Summit partnership, the impact of global trade shifts, and the support extended to MSMEs. The conversation also highlights skill development, innovation-led growth, and Tamil Nadu’s roadmap to becoming a leading technical textile hub.
Messe Frankfurt and the Government of Tamil Nadu have recently inked MoU to launch Techtextil India Summit. Can you tell us more about the expected impact of this collaboration?
It is a landmark agreement signed between Messe Frankfurt and Tamil Nadu government to launch TechTextil Summit in alternate years from 2026 in Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu. It will lead to increased awareness and interest in technical textiles, and provide networking opportunities for the ecosystem in Tamil Nadu.
How has US reciprocal tariff impacted textile hubs in Tamil Nadu?
There is a significant impact on the export-based textile clusters in Tamil Nadu as US export orders were shifted to cheaper and low tariff countries. The Government of Tamil Nadu has been encouraging the exporters to explore alternate markets in the EU, UK, UAE, Australia etc.
What are the necessary actions is the Government of Tamil Nadu taking to boost the state’s textile and apparel industry?
The Commissionerate of Textiles, Government of Tamil Nadu has introduced and implemented the following schemes to promote the textiles and apparel industry in the state:
- A 25 per cent Capital subsidy scheme for processing segment with maximum ceiling of ₹5 crore for greenfield and ₹4 crore for brownfield projects.
- A 50 per cent Capital Subsidy for Automatic Fabric Cutting m/c with CAD/CAM Software capped at ₹50 lakh.
- A 6 per cent Interest Subvention Scheme for Technology Upgradation of spinning sector.
- Powerloom Modernisation Scheme
- Tamil Nadu Pavilion at International Textile fairs and various other schemes for boosting exports from the state.
What specific incentives or support mechanisms has the state introduced to help textile MSMEs modernise and adopt sustainable processing technologies?
- Scheme to Support Energy efficiency and Resource Efficiency through resource efficiency audits and energy conservation equipment.
- Financial Subsidy for Textile processing sector:
- New processing units with IETP/CETP: 25 per cent with maximum cap of ₹5 crore.
- Subsidy for Expansion/Modernisation/Upgradation: 25 per cent with maximum cap of ₹4 crore.
Tamil Nadu offers a Textile Pavilion scheme for global fairs. How does this help local manufacturers expand into international markets?
The Tamil Nadu Textile Pavilion Scheme is a key export-promotion initiative, particularly beneficial for MSMEs.
The scheme:
- Enables participation in four major international textile fairs annually
- Provides 50 per cent reimbursement of stall rent (up to ₹2.00 lakh)
- Offers 50 per cent airfare reimbursement (up to ₹1.25 lakh)
- Facilitates collective branding under ‘Tamil Nadu Textiles’
- Reduces entry barriers for first-time exporters
This has significantly improved export readiness, global visibility, and buyer connectivity for Tamil Nadu manufacturers.
How is the state government addressing the challenges faced by small and medium textile enterprises in scaling operations and integrating into global value chains?
The state is addressing scale-related challenges through:
- Cluster-based development in Tiruppur, Madurai, Karur, Coimbatore, and Salem
- Establishment of common facilities such as testing labs, design studios, and effluent treatment plants
- Facilitating linkages between MSMEs, large anchor firms, and global brands
The focus is on developing integrated, compliant, and globally competitive supply chains.
In what ways is Tamil Nadu promoting innovation and technology adoption across the textile value chain, from fibre manufacturing to finished products?
Tamil Nadu is actively promoting innovation through:
- Tamil Nadu Technical Textile Mission (T3 Mission) and Financial Assistance for Research and Business Development
- Collaboration with textile research associations like South India Textiles Research Association (SITRA), PSG-CoE etc
- Support for R&D centres, incubation, and pilot-scale production
- Subsidies for computerised cutting machines with CAD/CAM in garmenting, home textiles, and technical textiles
Textile manufacturing relies heavily on skilled labour. What steps is the state taking to enhance workforce skills and attract talent to the sector?
The Government of Tamil Nadu continues to strengthen its workforce by providing:
- Skill Development Training to 8,950 persons through South India Textiles Research Association (SITRA) in spinning, weaving, knitting, garmenting and technical textiles under the scheme ‘Training of Workmen’, which is being implemented by the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC).
- Short term training to entrepreneurs about the advancements in technical textiles through SITRA.
- Industry-linked training via ITIs, polytechnics, and private partners.
The skilled workforce remains one of Tamil Nadu’s core competitive strengths.
What are the biggest growth opportunities you envision for Tamil Nadu’s textile ecosystem over the next five to ten years?
The growth opportunities envisioned over the next five years are in the following categories:
- Technical textiles, especially advanced, functional and value-added textile manufacturing
- High speed and advanced fabric formation for augmenting the production of technical textiles
- Sustainable and circular textiles
- Man-made and non-conventional fibre-based products
- Research and business development in technical textiles and MMF
- Diversifying the export to other major countries with focus on the export of high value textile products
- Textile machinery manufacturing and services
With the rapid evolution of technical textiles and smart materials globally, how is Tamil Nadu positioning itself to capitalise on these trends?
The Government of Tamil Nadu is strategically positioning itself by:
- Implementing the Tamil Nadu Technical Textile Mission (T3 Mission) as a focused state-level initiative
- Leveraging global platforms such as Techtextil, and organising its regional summit in Coimbatore
- Strengthening R&D, testing, certification, and commercialisation infrastructure
- Promoting strong industry–academia collaboration
- Encouraging MSMEs to adopt advanced and sustainable manufacturing technologies
These efforts aim to establish Tamil Nadu as India’s leading technical textile innovation and export hub, aligned with evolving global demand.
