A cornerstone of India’s home textile sector, the Karur textile cluster hosted a crucial awareness workshop, ‘Advancing Sustainability & Circularity in Karur Textile Cluster,’ at The Legend Hall, The Residency in Karur. The event united local manufacturers, exporters, industry associations, and government officials, all committed to adopting greener practices.
A collaborative effort, the workshop was welcomed by key industry bodies including the Karur Textile Manufacturer Exporters Association (KTMEA), Karur Handloom Export Cloth Manufacturers Association (KHEXMASS), CII, Karur Knitting and Weaving Factory Owners Association, and Karur Dyers & Bleachers Association. They partnered with the Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) and Intellecap to introduce initiatives aimed at transforming the Karur cluster into a more sustainable and circular textile hub.
P Gopalakrishnan, President, KTMEA highlighted the urgent need for sustainable growth and staying current with global developments. M Prabhu, Chairman, CII – Karur District, reaffirmed CII-Karur’s dedication, sharing best practices from other sectors. R Kaliyappan, President, KHEXMASS, underscored the responsibility to ensure a cleaner planet for future generations. M C Tamilselvi, Regional Deputy Director - Department of Textiles, Government of Tamil Nadu, delivered a keynote, emphasizing government support for MSMEs in sustainable initiatives. M Palanivel Rajan, COO, Asian Fabricx, showcased ‘Sustainability in Practice at Karur,’ detailing both his company’s and the cluster’s progressive practices. M Perumal, Vice-Chairman of CII – Karur District, stressed integrating sustainability into all operations. S Periasamy, a Senior Textile Expert, discussed ‘Global trends and relevance of Sustainability & Opportunities for SMEs,’ citing Tirupur as an example of competitive environmental practices. Dr Prabhat Bhuddha Dev, CRB and Siddharth Lulla, Intellecap detailed their programs, inviting SME participation.
Key discussions at the event focused on the UNCEP-backed project-InTex India that promotes sustainable practices and provides Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) support to at least 15 Karur SMEs. The EU Switch Asia – SME Decarbonization program by Intellecap's Circular Apparel Innovation Factory (CAIF) was also highlighted at the event This 42-month initiative aims to reduce environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions for 250-400 SMEs across India’s textile value chain, promoting circular economy practices and ESG compliance through workshops, technical assistance, and access to green financing.
The event closed with Gopalkrishnan, Presidnet, KTMEA reiterating the necessity of sustainable growth and the critical role of stakeholder collaboration. Attended by nearly 100 participants, the workshop served as a vital milestone, building local ownership and momentum for sustainability in Karur's textile sector.
