Currently, the third largest producer of synthetic and MMF fibres and polymers like polyester, PP, nylons and viscose etc, India aims to enhance its production capacity for technical textiles to $27 billion by 2026. As per a Textile Value Chain report, increased availability of MMF and synthetic fibers of all types helped create higher interest in non wovens and technical textiles during the COVID. In future, demand for these fibers is likely to increase 7 to 8 per cent per annum on an average compared to the current growth rate of 4 to 4.5 per cent.

The share of MMF textiles in global textile and clothing exports in developed countries has reached around 35 per cent, offering a perfect opportunity for future growth and development of these fibers. Currently, growing at a CAGR of 8 per cent, global technical textiles and nonwovens trade ranges between $260 billion to $275 billion, almost double the growth rate of normal textile and clothing sector of 4.5 per cent. India’s share in this fast growing and key textile sector is less than 1 per cent of global trade.

Target $27 million growth by 2026

Currently, growth in this sector is being led by China followed by Europe. India ranks third in the competitive availability of synthetic and MMF fibres and polymers like polyester, PP, nylon and viscose, etc. To upgrade its presence in the global technical textiles market, India needs to increase its market size to $27 billion by 2026.

India can achieve this by focusing on production of specialty industrial textiles like medical textiles and geotechnical textiles for use in high-growth and strategic sectors like medicines, aerospace, defense and civil infrastructure segments. Technical textiles are being used for creating high speed rail network, new ports, new airports and tunnels and roads in high altitude areas like Kashmir, Ladakh and North East and also a string of new highways, etc.

The four most impactful new policies that would help drive production and use of technical textiles in India include: Rs 160,000 million TTDS scheme for focusing on developing advanced technologies and new machines; Rs 10,000 million-National Technical Textiles Mission Scheme to venture into high tech projects in technical textiles; PLI or the production linked scheme to enhance production and use of both MMF fibers and technical textiles; and MITRA scheme for development and operations of large size or mega textile parks to attract large global investment into such world class ‘play n plug’ manufacturing zones across the country.

Develop specialty fibers and scale up wages

To enhance the size of India’s textile sector to over $100 billion by 2024, get 8 per cent market share in global textile and clothing/technical textiles trade, India needs emerge as a leading global supplier alongside China and offer all key raw materials and MMF fibres.

India also needs to develop specialty fibres like carbon fibres, Aramides, ceramic, glass and others. It needs to scale up wages in new markets and sign new FTAs with major export destinations like the EU and the US. Traditionally, India has been a dominant player in cotton-based textile sector. Now, to enhance its presence in MMF sector, it needs to increase its share in global textile and clothing trade to over 5 per cent and emerge as a reliable alternative supplier alongside China.