The Innovation Awards for outstanding contributions and advancements in the Technical Textile industry were introduced by ITTA at this year’s 14 th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 13 th September 2024. A screening committee was formed by ITTA who evaluated the merits of the entries and selected the following top five companies for giving the awards —
1 . Garware Technical Fibres Ltd. – Shri Neeraj Shrivastava & Shri Apurv Gadekar on the Advancing Sustainability: Development of Ropes from Recycled Materials – Renew Ropes. They discussed the advantages of synthetic materials, which include properties like lightweight, durability, corrosion resistance, low cost of production, chemical resistance, insulation properties, recyclability, etc. These materials are widely used in various applications such as aquaculture, shipping, sports, fisheries, geosynthetics, etc. However, they also highlighted the challenges associated with synthetic materials, particularly their long decomposition periods, as plastic waste can persist for hundreds to thousands of years. Additionally, they pointed out that products made from recycled plastics often have inferior mechanical properties, which limits their use to non-critical applications like containers, bags, trays, and molded items. They took on the challenge of reusing recycled materials in the manufacturing of ropes. Through a detailed research project, which involved extensive trials with specially developed additives and processing techniques, they were able to produce Renew Ropes using 100% recycled material. These ropes exhibit properties comparable to those of virgin ropes, including sustainability, strength, and resistance to fatigue and abrasion. This means that the waste materials are being utilized for the same end applications, reducing the need for new raw materials. Impact on the industry & market is significant: Eco-Friendly Excellence: Renew Ropes are crafted entirely from recycled materials, embodying the principles of responsible manufacturing. By using recycled materials, these ropes reduce their environmental carbon footprint by up to 50%, Market Demand: Aquaculture producers, especially large-scale salmon farmers, are looking for sustainable solutions to reduce their environmental impact. Renew Ropes provide a viable alternative by meeting this growing demand while promoting environmental sustainability. Renew Ropes find applications in aquaculture farms and mooring in the shipping industry, showcasing their versatility and potential to contribute to a more sustainable future.
2 . SRF Ltd. – Ms. Angeline Divya, Associate Vice President on the Development and Commercialization of Food-Grade Tank Liners Made from Coated Fabric for Water Storage in Rural Areas. She presented the product, a coated fabric developed with a special food-grade formulation and a hightear strength design, specifically for water storage in rural areas under the Government of India’s Jal Jeevan Mission. These fabrics
are compliant with both IS and USFDA standards. Key Features and Benefits: a) Innovative Solution: Special fabric-based tank liners offer a practical, cost-effective, and quick solution for water storage in rural communities, b) Leak Prevention: Unlike traditional concrete water tanks, which are cumbersome to construct and maintain, the fabric is 100% waterproof and forms a protective layer inside the tank structure,
preventing water leaks & c) Ease of Use: The fabric liners are lightweight, have high tear strength, and are easy to handle. They are also easily repairable on-site, making them an economical and user-friendly choice for such applications. She also mentioned the Impact on Society: Fabric-based tank liners provide a swift and effective solution for water storage in rural communities. They support the vision of providing clean water to every household in India under the “Har Ghar Jal” scheme of the Jal Jeevan Mission, thereby enhancing the quality of life for rural populations.
3 . Fibriltex Pvt. Ltd. – Shri Ishaan Sharma, Director of Business Development on the Flushable Biodegradable Sanitary Pads. He emphasized recent advancements in the feminine hygiene industry, particularly the development of flushable sanitary pads. As consumer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products grows, the industry is seeing significant innovation in product design and material usage. Flushable sanitary pads, developed by Fibril Tex, incorporate biodegradable materials that safely degrade in wastewater systems, reducing the environmental impact compared to traditional pads. These pads feature a Dynamic Absorbent
Core (DAC), which offers a slimmer, lighter, and better-performing alternative to the traditional fluff pulp and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) combinations. The benefits of DAC include improved absorption, reduced production costs, and enhanced comfort without compromising performance. He outlined the environmental advantages of flushable sanitary pads, including: biodegradable materials designed to break down easily in water and wastewater systems, safe to flush and degrade in sewage systems, reducing plastic pollution & providing the same level of absorbency and comfort as traditional pads. He also emphasized the importance of regulatory compliance and safety standards to ensure these products are both effective and environmentally safe. The future of the industry looks promising, with advancements in sustainable materials and consumer-focused product design poised to make eco-friendly hygiene solutionsmore accessible and affordable.
4 . Indo German Yarn & Fibres LLP – Shri Rajiv Sajdeh, Partner on the PROMYDE KARANW-2 WR 480 GSM Fabric – Personal Protection Sustainable. He focused on a specific innovation – the development of a fabric capable of withstanding contact heat up to 500°C, intended for use in gloves and personal protective workwear. This innovation was driven by the demand for materials that can endure high temperatures without
compromising on other essential qualities such as abrasion and cut resistance. Additionally, the product had to be lightweight and cost-effective to compete in global markets. Addressing these challenges, the company developed a unique yarn made from regenerated technicalfibers, including Para Aramid, PreOx Novoloid, and Nylon 66. This yarn was used tocreate a blended fabric, which successfully met the demanding heat resistance
requirements (500°C as per EN407:2020 standards) and achieved cut resistance Level 2 under EN388:2016 standards. This finished product’s outer layer – PROMYDE KAR 480 gsm fabric – a unique blended fabric made from sustainable technical fibres, heat barrier – PROMYDE Non-Woven Layer. The end product was not only functional but also sustainable, as it was crafted from regenerated fibers with a zero-carbon footprint.
The entire development process, from concept to final production, took about eight months, involving extensive testing and retesting to ensure the product met international safety and performance standards. The result was a high-performance, eco-friendly product that significantly reduced costs by eliminating the need for expensive imported materials. The company succeeded in producing gloves made from this innovative fabric at an estimated cost of Rs. 490 per pair, making them a cost-effective solution for industries requiring high-temperature resistance.
5 . High Performance Textiles Pvt. Ltd. – Dr. Nandan Kumar, Managing Director on the Innovative Inherent Flame-Retardant (IFR) Fabric for Arc-Flash Protection. The IFR fabric, branded as ‘Savesplash’, is designed for oil and gas workers in the upstream sector. It offers protection against flash fires, arc-flash fires, impact, and abrasion while maintaining comfort and dexterity. Made from a blend of flame-retardant FR-viscose, p- aramid, and high-shrink fibers, the fabric provides a high bulk per unit area (up to 425 gsm). After dyeing and finishing, the fabric shrinks to reduce holes, enhancing resistance to infrared and arc-flash hazards. Coated with neoprene for oil repellence, it withstands 5000 rubs and provides excellent burst resistance. A lighter version (200- 220 gsm) is in development for firefighter balaclavas and undershirts. Gloves made from the same fabric achieve high arc ratings (ATPV 63 cal/cm2). Key Benefits: Tested to ASTM standards, achieving ATPV of 41 cal/cm², Arc rating equivalent to HRC level 4 (NFPA 70E), Excellent abrasion resistance and durability and Export potential, especially for defense and riot control uniforms. Impact on Industry/Market/Environment/Society: This fabric is entirely spun, knitted, and coated in India, which is fostering collaboration among companies to develop commercially viable, highly technical textile products. The fabric has significant export potential, particularly because it achieves high ATPV levels in a single layer. Additionally, we are witnessing substantial demand from the defense and paramilitary sectors, especially for riot control police uniforms, once the lighter weight is validated in lower gsm versions.