Technical Textile Value Chain took an Exclusive Interview of DR ANUP RAKSHIT, ED, ITTA:
1. What are some of the latest initiatives by ITTA
ITTA always focuses on the value-added initiatives for the benefits and growth of the Indian technical textile industry. Some of key initiatives taken by ITTA are
mentioned below-
o Actively involve in the promotion of various schemes declared by the MOT, GOI, such as NTTM, PLI, PM MITRA Park, etc….
o Encourage members to be partner with R&D & Academic institutions to execute the R&D Projects under NTTM scheme.
o Encourage to participate in the formulation of Indian Standards(BIS) & Regulations.
o ITTA actively helps BIS to implement QCO scheme which is for the benefit to the quality producers & suppliers.
o Allocation of new HSN Codes for technical textile items, which were not available.
o Skill Development through ITTA’s Executive Development Certificate (EDC) Programs and other events on major technical textile verticals.
o Effective digital communication system amongst members on techno-commercial subject.
o To collaborate with the reputed domestic and global organisations to have a effective exchange of knowledge, technology, machinery, services, etc. Some of the international organisations are- The Taiwan Technical Textiles Association (TTTA), The Textile Institute (TI), Manchester, UK, Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT), Milan, Italy, EDANA, etc.
2. What are your schemes for skill development?
The Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA) is actively involved in skill development activities for many years to create job opportunities for the aspiring UG/PG/Diploma holders on textiles. They acquire specialized knowledge on technical textile verticals and trained candidates gets jobs in supervisory, junior/senior managerial levels. During the last 2 years, ITTA has focused on the Executive Development Certificate (EDC) Programs covering key verticals of technical textiles. It has successfully completed SIX 5-Days EDC Programs – two on Protective Textiles from, two on Medical Textiles, one on Geosynthetics and one on Industrial through Digital Platform.
These courses give in-depth knowledge on the Technical Textiles and their emerging opportunities through detailed coverage of all important subjects on Protective, Medical, Geosynthetics and Industrial textile verticals, such as, products, processes, quality standards, domestic and export markets, IS standards, QCO, latest developments, etc. Lectures are given by the highly knowledgeable domain experts selected for respective industries. It gave an opportunity to interact with Industry Experts to get practical knowledge and benefited the students aspiring to make a career in the Technical Textile Industry.
The total participants were over 200 and the analysis showed that they are spread over all stake holders of technical textiles, which constitutes 47% of Technical Textile manufacturers (Products, Chemicals & Machinery manufacturers), 12% of Non- Technical Textile manufacturers (Knitted & Garments), 7% from COEs/ Ministry Officials/ Consultants, and 34% from graduate & post graduate Textile/ Medical/ Civil/ Bio-technology/ Management Students & Faculty from reputed Institute. These EDC programs on different segments of Technical Textiles are gaining popularity and received an overwhelming response from the participants. ITTA certificates awarded to the successfully completed candidates through examinations are honored by the industry.
In future, ITTA is planning more such EDC courses on major verticals/ segments of technical textiles, e.g., Buildtech, Agrotech, Mobiltech, Sportech, Nonwovens, Coating & Functional finishes, etc.
3. How to plan to promote Sustainability through your initiatives?
ITTA is actively involved in promoting the activities on Sustainability & Circularity in Technical Textiles Industry. Recently, the Textiles Committee (TC), MOT, GOI in collaboration with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been implementing a project on “Enhancing Circularity and Sustainability”-Programme to promote Sustainability & Circularity in Textiles, including technical textiles in India. The main objective of the project is to minimise the negative environmental impact of the Indian Textiles by promoting sustainable practices and mainstream knowledge of circular production-based practices in the Textiles and Apparels (T&A) sectors, including technical textiles. A working group, has been formed by TC and ITTA is a member of the group and assigned the task to focus on the technical textile sector. Under this programme, we are organising a campaign to promote sustainability in technical textiles for creating awareness amongst the stakeholders & consumers.
4. How is ITTA contributing to the NTTM (National Technical Textiles Mission.
ITTA was engaged with bodies like MOT/Niti Ayog, etc right from the formulation of National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) scheme. This scheme has four important components- R&D, Market Development, Export Promotion and Skill Development- Total Outlay: Rs. 1,480 Crs. for 4 years (2020-24). Now ITTA is actively involved with various activities, such as, identifying industry partners for the R&D projects. We are member of the apex bodes – Mission Steering Group (MSG) & Empowered Programme Committee (EPC) under NTTM, MOT.
5. What are the ITTA’s contribution in Developing IS Standards on Technical Textiles
The trade in Technical Textile products is mainly in the B2B & B2G platforms. Since these products are always having the functional properties one form or the other, the product standards have the paramount importance. The BIS under GOI is our national organisation who develops & publishes the IS standards in our country. From the inception of the Sectional Committees on Technical Textile, ITTA is closely working with
BIS and currently ITTA is the member of ten different such committees. It inducted about 50 members to these committees as well. The recent move of implementing Quality Control Orders (QCO) is a welcomed by the technical textile industry as it will ensure availability of consistent product quality form domestic & international suppliers.
6. What are important events organised by the ITTA?
o Successfully organised Three National Conclaves – on Protective Textiles, Sports Textiles and Agro-Textiles. We are getting overwhelming support from NTTM, MoT in organising these events. The user-industry Ministries of respective areas have also supported us and demonstrated their needs. We express our sincere thanks to the Textile and other Ministries for such support.
o More than 1000 participants attended these conclaves.
o 66 Eminent Speakers from Industry, COEs and Ministry Officials.
o 50+ Exhibitors from Industry, COEs & Startups showcase their innovative products and services.
o More such Conclaves are being planned in future on- Indutech, Buildtech & Construction textiles, Coating & Lamination products, Mobiltech, etc.
7. Tell us about the scenario of Technical Textiles in India
In the past five years, Indian technical textiles market has grown at a CAGR of 8-10% per annum. Indian Technical Textiles market was valued at USD 21.95 Billion in FY 2021-22, with production accounting to USD 19.49 Billion and imports accounting to USD 2.46 Billion. The growth of the Global market is estimated at USD 212 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 274 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% during 2022-27. Backed by increasing domestic market and global demand for technical textiles the growth rate is expected to be very good in coming years.
8. Which segments of the Technical Textiles is growing the fastest in India?
As mentioned above, all the 12 segments including composites, contribute to the overall growth of the technical textile industry. But looking at the growth focus of our country like infrastructure, road, high ways, railways, agriculture, need for medical facility of large population out of which majority are at younger in age, the rapid growth is expected in the segments like- Agrotech, Meditech, Geotech, Buildtech, Indutech, Protech, Sportech, etc.
9. What are some measures taken by you to promote Technical Textiles in India
ITTA is playing significant role in formulating policies on technical textile at central and state govt levels. The growth of the industry has been primarily due to the entrepreneurial ingenuity of the Indian industry supplemented by the schemes of the Govt. of India incentivizing the investment in the sector. ITTA helps new entrepreneurs to identify products/processes wanting to invest in technical textiles.
New and existing government schemes supporting Technical Textile industry are –
Advanced Technology Upgradation Finds scheme (ATUFS)- in which ITTA is a
Member of the Technical Advisory-cum-Monitoring Committee (TAMC) & Internal Technical Committee (ITC) under ATUFS, helping our industry members to resolve various issues arise under the scheme. Also ITTA is member of the high-level committee called the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) under ATUFS.