Interview with NN Mahapatra

NN Mahapatra
NN Mahapatra
President
Colorant India
Colorant India
We plan to double production capacity of reactive dyes
Colorant manufactures and markets high-quality reactive dyes for cellulosic substrate under the brand name Colron. This includes specialty ranges like Colron CN Series and Colron SD Series for niche, high-end markets. It also custom-makes dyes, including those that meet stringent parameters of international clothing labels along with a line of optical brightening agents (OBAs). President NN Mahapatra speaks about the latest application of reactive dyes and issues affecting this segment.

What is the size of the textile dyes & chemicals industry globally? What is the expected growth rate by 2020?

The textile dyes market was valued at $6.94 billion in 2016 and is projected to reach $9.82 billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 6.00 per cent during the forecast period. The growing demand for textile dyes for various fibre types, such as cotton, polyester and viscose is expected to fuel the growth of the textile dyes market. On the other hand, stringent environmental regulations are also expected to restrain the growth of the textile dyes market during the forecast period. The cotton segment is expected to be the fastest-growing fibre type segment of the textile dyes market during the forecast period.

The digital textile printing market is expected to be worth $2.31 billion by 2023 from $1.76 billion in 2018, at a CAGR of 5.59 per cent between 2018 and 2023. The growing demand for sustainable printing; increasing demand for digital textile printing in the garment and advertising industries; shortening lifespan and faster adaptability of fashion designs; development of new technologies in the textiles industry; reduced per unit cost of printing with digital printers; and growth of the e-commerce industry are the major factors driving the market. The textile chemicals market was valued at $21.80 billion in 2016, and is expected to reach $30.23 billion by 2020, expanding at a CAGR of 3.7 per cent. 

The global textile chemicals market is expected to witness a CAGR of 3.82 per cent during the forecast period. Textile chemicals include a vast line of products ranging from highly specialised chemicals such as flame-retardants, pH regulators to relatively simple commodity chemicals, like bleaches. They are an integral part of various commercial and industrial sectors, where any sort of fabric is used in operation.

What new applications and end-products have you developed for the textiles and apparel industry?

Our new applications are only in reactive dyes. We have developed reactive dyes which are salt-free, giving good results in dyeing. We also have reactive dyes suitable for garments with dischargeable properties. We have dyes which focus on the following:
  • Good leveling and diffusion properties;
  • Short liquor ratio dyeing and new state of art on-tone buildup;
  • Good penetration and leveling properties;
  • High fixation value (over 80 per cent);
  • Appropriate dye selection that meets retailer requirement;
  • Robust dyeing system;
  • Excellent compatibility of dyes and innovative chemistry;
  • High reproducibility and right first-time production;
  • Excellent washing and wet fastness, and very good high light fastness;
  • Achieved fastness to oxidative bleach M&S C10A and chlorinated water;
  • Less shading, less diluents, less contribution to effluents;
  • Right first-time performance for cold pad batch, continuous dyeing and exhaust dyeing;
  • Compact flexible engineered molecules with high solubility even presence of salt and outstanding bath stability; and 
  • Highest level of lab to bulk to boost production drastically.

How is the company positioned compared to other players? What is your USP?

We rank fourth among Indian reactive dyes manufacturers. We are a medium-scale company focusing on only one class of dyes-reactive dyes. Our innovation and tailor-made products for the textiles industry is our USP.

Which are your bestselling products?

The following are our bestselling products:
1. Colron SF series: for light and medium shades;
2. Colron CN series: for high light fastness shades;
3. Colron CES series: for medium and dark shades;
4. Colron GLX series: for medium and dark shades.

The following properties of our Colron GLX series is widely accepted in the market due to
  • Compact range for deep and extra deep shades with cost effective & excellent overall fastness and performance;
  • Dischargeable dyes range cover all gamut;
  • Dyeing temperature 60 degrees and also dyeing with room temperature (40 degrees) with easy washing with low amount of dyes;
  • Highly economical;
  • Good leveling and diffusion properties;
  • Short liquor ratio dyeing possible;
  • Meet today's quality and fastness requirements;
  • New state of the art tone buildup;
  • High tintorial strength;
  • Top productivity and high reproducibility.

 The following are the advantages of our Colron CES series dyes:
  • High colour strength;
  • Very deep shades with low amount of dyes;
  • Massive electrolyte reduction;
  • Good penetration and leveling properties;
  • High fixation value;
  • Effluent water and energy saving;
  • Appropriate dye selection meets retailer requirements.

Which are your major markets? Which are the upcoming markets for textile dyes & chemicals?

In the domestic market, we cater to all major textiles industry players, semi-corporates and small-scale units. Our major export markets are Brazil, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran and Bangladesh. The upcoming markets are countries like Ethiopia, Vietnam and Honduras.

What are the latest technological innovations taking place in green chemicals?

Industries are focusing more on application of enzymes in processing like bioscouring, bio-washing, bio-desizing, etc. The latest introduction is in soaping at room temperature using enzymes, colour removal in effluents by the use of enzymes. Instead of inorganic chemical coagulation method in effluent treatment is replaced by microbial bio-treatment which leads to less sludge formation.

What are the issues plaguing this segment?

The fluctuating prices of dye intermediates (raw materials for dyes manufacturing) is making this segment difficult. The government policies at place have become outdated. Once upon a time, India was very strong in manufacturing dye intermediates, but later China took over. Now China has issues, where our Indian dyestuff industry suffers, who depend on Chinese imports. The government should come out with a clear-cut policy for establishing or expanding the dye intermediates industry. Initially, the government should give subsidies to such upcoming industries.

Which are the developing trends in various textile dyes segments?

Reactive dyes with better exhaustion and better fixation. Ink jet dyes are gaining importance for digital printing. Our R&D is busy developing reactive dyes having more exhaustion and fixation leading to less environmental issues. These products will be launched soon and create a sensation in the textile dyes segment. There should be more research in ICT (former UDCT) and it should come up with new dye molecules for better chemistry. We should not depend on European or American researchers to give us the technical knowhow. They charge hefty consulting fees. The dyes manufacturing units should work hand in hand with ICT and other dye research organisations in India.

What is the carbon & water footprint of the company?

Chemicals are the main raw materials for Colron products. Dyestuff manufacturing processes consume water and energy, and generate wastewater and waste. Reducing water use, cutting carbon emissions and treatment and safe disposal of waste are the key environmental areas of concern for both our stakeholders and us. Apart from the environment, workplace health and safety are other important areas as our production plants involve the transport, storage, handling and processing of a wide variety of chemicals. Our customers have a growing interest in understanding the carbon footprint of our products. They also expect us to be able to innovate and offer products, which have lower environmental impact.

What percentage of your revenues is earmarked for R&D in the textiles industry?

We have one of the best application labs in India with all latest machines and automation to give technical service to our customers. The lab does all R&D work needed to support the textiles industry. But basic research on dyes molecule requires highly sophisticated lab equipment which we don't have. Such type of researches can be done in ATIRA, BTRA, NITRA, etc.

What has been your growth percentage in the last two years? What is the target set for the next two?

Two years back the price of H acid was at the peak as a result the dyes industries suffered heavily. It was about 15 per cent last year. After we get the required permission for expansion, our target for next two years will be about 25 per cent.

What are the future plans at the company?

We plan setting up a dye intermediates plant at the upcoming GIDC Industrial Estate in Bharuch, Gujarat. Besides this, in the present set-up we are planning to double our production capacity of reactive dyes. (HO)
Published on: 01/06/2018

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.