FICCI's recommendation on Geosynthetics

10 Aug '09

4 min read

FICCI jointly with the Office of the Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, organized the Conference on “Geo-synthetics : Opportunities and Challenges” on July 16, 2009 at Mumbai.

Geo-synthetics are technical textiles related to soil, rock, earth, etc. Geo-synthetic is the term used to describe a range of generally polymeric products used to solve civil engineering problems. The term encompasses six main product categories: geo-textiles, geo-grids, geo-nets, geo-membranes, geo-synthetic clay liners, geo-foam and geo-composites. These are available in a wide range of forms and materials, each to suit a slightly different end use.

These products have a wide range of applications and are currently used in many civil, geo-technical, transportation, geo-environmental, hydraulic, and private development applications including roads, airfields, railroads, embankments, retaining structures, reservoirs, canals, dams, erosion control, sediment control, landfill covers, mining, aquaculture and agriculture.

Geo-synthetics offer great advantages not only in terms of performance to the infrastructure developed but also in terms of cost benefit and low maintenance, when compared to other ground improvement techniques.

Geo-synthetics and Geo-textiles are driving the infrastructure sector profitably by improving the productivity of the roads and pavements, tunnels, highways, rail-track bed, etc. Here I would like to clarify that mere usage of Geo-synthetics will not ensure good performance. Proper selection of Geo-synthetics, correct design and quality assurance is essential. The size, growth and character of demand for Geo-synthetic and Geo-textile products are governed by various factors. However, the underlying driving force behind the Geo-Textile sector is the need to put in place the best infrastructure in the country.

Global Market Scenario
The world geo-textile market has grown from US$500 million to US$3000 million in 2009. 25% of this growth is accounted for by woven geo-textiles and 74.5% by non-woven and 0.5% by others. Globally the value of the sector is growing at a rate of around 5% a year and accounts for 0.80% share of the total technical textile segment. This share is expected to go up marginally to 2010.

Current Domestic Market Scenario
The current Geo-textiles market in India is around Rs.226 crores, comprising imports of an estimated Rs.105 cores and domestic production of around Rs.121 crores. Consumption of Geo-textile products is expected to grow at 12% to reach Rs.300 crores by 2012-13. The market for geo-textiles is expected to grow in excess of 20% annually.

The following findings/recommendations emerged out of the discussions at the Conference:-
Quality Control :
• Set up testing facilities for testing geo-textile/geo-synthetic products through out the country.
• Manufacturers must work with laboratories for standardization of technology.

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