The Government of India is promoting the growth of technical textiles in the country and is implementing four schemes for the purpose, Minister of State for Textiles (Independent Charge) Santosh Kumar Gangwar informed Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, last week.
Gangwar informed that the four schemes are technology mission, scheme for strengthening of database and standards for technical textiles, scheme for usage of agri-textiles in the north-eastern region, and restructured technology upgradation fund scheme.
In addition to these four schemes, the Ministry of Textiles has set up eight Centres of Excellence (CoE) for indigenous development of prototypes.
The Ministry has also approved setting up of integrated textile parks, wherein assistance is provided for creation of infrastructure in the parks up to 40 per cent with an upper limit of Rs 40 crore, Gangwar said.
Explaining the mini-mission of Technology Mission on Textiles, Gangwar said that under this fund support is being provided for undertaking research on contract basis. For the purpose, any technical textiles manufacturing unit can approach the Government. Already, 5 contract research projects have been approved by the Ministry. The total cost of these projects is Rs 1.27 crore, while the Government support for the same would be Rs 75.12 lakh.
Unlike conventional textiles that are used for aesthetic and decorative purposes, technical textiles are manufactured primarily for their technical performance and functional properties.
According to ‘Opportunities and Challenges on Non-Woven Technical Textiles’, a paper released by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Technopak in July this year, India’s technical textiles market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9 per cent from its currently estimated value of US$ 14 billion to reach a level of $32 billion by 2023. (RKS)
