WRA is a Centre of Excellence- COE for Wool (designated by Ministry Of Textiles, GOI) and also a Centre of Excellence- COE for Sportech (designated by Ministry Of Textiles, GOI). WRA is the Only R&D Organisation in India dedicated to Woollen Sector, established in 1963 by the Indian Woollen Industry with the help of Government of India. It is a co-operative Textile Research Association registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. The Council of the Association consists of elected President, two Vice- Presidents and 12 Members from Industry. WRA Laboratory is accredited by NABL, ISO 17025:2017 with 400+ test parameters and Recognised by DSIR.
WRA Technical Progress
In the year 2022-2023, more than 400 industries are associated with WRA. It has more than 600 NABL accreditations and has developed over 15 prototypes, using more than 7 formulated specifications and standards.
Following are some of the linkages of the WRA:
Linkage with fibers Manufacturers
1. TRADC ( unit of Aditya Birla Group), Surat
Linkage with Sportswear Manufacturers
1. ATTIVA INDIA, Mumbai
2. Scholler India Pvt.Ltd., Navi Mumbai
3. Khanna Sports, Navi Mumbai
4. NexG Apparels Ltd., Mumbai
5. Ken enterprises, Kolhapur
6. Vissco Rehabilitation Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai
7. Nebco Textiles Industries Pvt. Ltd., Navi Mumbai
Linkage at user’s end – Sport University / Sport Authority of India (SAI)
1. Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior and Guwahati
2. Sports Authority of India (SAI), New Delhi, Bangalore, Gandhinagar, Patiala
Linkages with sport goods manufacturers
The Sports Goods Manufacturers & Exporter Association (SGMEA), Jalandhar
INTERNATIONAL KNOWLEDGE PARTNERS with WRA
1. Northwest Composites Centre, University of Manchester, UK- Modernization of Indian sport goods manufacturer through technology intervention
2. The Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic- Wearable sportswear to improve the performance of Indian sport persons through monitoring by coaches
3. RMIT University, Australia- Sport footwear technology up-gradation of footwear industry, compression garments, bi- layer wool-based sportswear
4. Deakin University, Australia- Wool and eri silk hybrid sportswear for better performance.
5. ITU, Turkey- Nano fibre technologies for air /water filters to protect against particulate matters, deadly viruses and waterborne diseases.
RESEARCH & TESTING INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Sweating Thermal Manikin (Only Facility in India) Purpose is to measure Thermo – physiological comfort of garments in terms of RCT & RET values, Comfort & Sensation values.
Current on-going testing (comfort properties) include:
• Anti Gravity Suits,
• Extreme cold weather clothing (ECWC)
• Sleeping bags
• Sports Wear—Pre launch by Aditya Birla Group
2. Moisture Management Tester : Purpose is To measure the dynamic liquid transport properties of sportswear, protective, breathable fabrics.
3. Water Vapour Transmission Rate Tester : Purpose is To measure the Water Vapour Transmission Rate of sportswear, protective clothing’s, high altitude clothing’s etc. rain coats, tents etc.
4. Sweating Gaurded Hotplate : Purpose is To measure thermal properties and water vapour resistance of sportswear, protective clothing’s, high altitude clothing’s etc.
5. Thermolobo Tester : Purpose is To measure the thermal resistance (R-value), warmness and coolness properties of sportswear, protective clothing’s high altitude’s clothing etc.
UNIQUE FACILITIES CREATED UNDER COE- SPORTECH (ONLY FACILITY IN INDIA) include:
1. Complete setup of Comfort lab
Thermo-physiological comfort analysis by
Ø Sweating thermal manikin, guarded plates
Ø Tactile comfort analysis by KAWABATTA, FAST
Ø Moisture Management Properties
2. Complete set up for analysis of Hi-Visible Garments
Ø AS/NZS 1906,
Ø EN ISO 20471,
Ø IS 15809,
Ø ANSI 105
Machines available at WRA include:
1. Warp Knitting Machine-Raschel Type (Make: COMEZ, ITALY Model: DNB/EL-1270).
Machine Features include:
· Working width: 1270 mm
· 12 guide bars with electronic control
· 2 sinker bars with latch needles
· Gauges: 5 & 15 n.p.i.
· Stitch density: 1 – 40 stitches/cm
· Distance between needle beds: 1 – 16 mm
· No. of Needle bed: 2
2. Warp Knitting Machine-Tricot Type (Make: Karlmayer, Germany Model: HKS 3M)
Machine Features include:
· Gauge: 28
· Maximum working width :3302 mm (130 inches)
· No. of Needle bed: 1
· Guide bars: 3 Speed: 2800 rpm
3. Hot Melt Laminating and Coating Machine (Make: Hip Mitsu, Italy)
Machine Features includes:
· Working width (mm): 2000
· Mechanical Speed (m/min): 3 to 40 adhesive add-on level (g/sqm): 3 to 40
· Application type: Slot Dye Fabrics in weight: 40 – 300 gsm
· Adhesive can Be used: EVA, PO, thermoplastic, Pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive
Incubation Centre:
Product Development facility: Industries in touch with incubation centre for product development include:
Ø Netflex Mumbai
Ø Vissco, Mumbai
Ø Nabco textiles Ind. Pvt. Ltd., Navi Mumbai
Ø Sea fabric Pvt. Ltd., Ratnagiri
Ø Lucky Enterprises, Mumbai
Ø Imfa Exim Pvt Ltd, Bhiwandi
Ø Infa Hammock, Chennai
Ø Welspun India, Mumbai
Ø Bhavi multifab pvt. Ltd, Navi Mumbai
Ø Vijay Sabre Safety pvt. Ltd., Mumbai
Ø Kusumgar Corporate, Vapi
Ø Garware Wall ropes Ltd, Pune
Ø Colorband India pvt. Ltd., Mumbai
Ø Archroma, Thane
Scope of Products Development includes Sportsgear, sports fabrics, Laminated & coated fabrics & sports accessories such as: sports nets, shoe fabrics etc.
Resources: Latest research and innovations by WRA
1. WRA’s PPE-coverall testing facility- NABL Accredited (May 2020)
Testing of PPE –coveralls & Masks.
• Resistance to Synthetic Blood Penetration (ISO 16603/ ASTM F 1670/ IS 16546)
• Water Resistance: Impact Penetration test (AATCC 42)
• Hydrostatic Head test (ISO 811/AATCC 127)
• Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR)
• (ASTM E 96)
• Water Vapour Resistance (Ret )- breathability (ISO 11092/ASTM F 1868 part B)
2. Reusable Waterproof Breathable PPE Coverall
· Available disposable PPE coveralls are non- breathable
· Not comfortable to wearer for long duration
· Considering the above constraint WRA has developed Reusable breathable water repellent coverall
· Developed product can be used as PPE coverall as well as rain wear
· Manufacturing Cost of developed Reusable waterproof breathable coverall Fabric
· Commercialization Partner M/s NexG Apparels, Mumbai
3. Development of Reusable Biodegradable non-surgical wool-based face mask (suitable for high altitude areas-colder regions)
· Currently available disposable Facemask are mainly made up of Nonwoven HDPE
· Non-disposable masks are made up of woven or knitted cotton
· Considering the cold weather in north region of the country, WRA has developed Reusable Biodegradable Non-surgical wool-based face mask
Mask Developed at WRA is bi-layer
· Outer layer: Wool with water repellent and antibacterial finish
· Inner Layer: Woven cotton fabric
4. Anti-microbial Treatment to Middle Layer of Face Mask
· Currently, Bulk trials are going on for giving anti-microbial treatment to middle layer of face mask.
Training and Skill Development by WRA
• Ongoing: WRA is providing skill development on Hand Made Woollen Carpet Training for under privileged rural women in Chandrapur District of Maharashtra at Two centres. It is coordinated by Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM), Govt. Of Maharashtra.
• Proposed: New Carpet Training Centre (CFC) to train rural women of Brahmpuri, Saoli & Sindebai Taluka, Chandrapur District, Maharashtra
WRA has signed the following MoUs:
· SDC IIPL – a professional registered charity based in Bradford, UK for Training Programme & Projects in Sports tech and outdoor textiles.
· Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textiles & Management (SVPISTM), Coimbatore for Joint Research in Textiles including Technical Textiles and Management.
· Maharashtra Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (MCED) for Conducting skill/entrepreneurship development training programme in Conventional & Technical Textiles.
· Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association (IRMRA), Affiliated to DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry for Joint work in sports accessories
· Maharashtra Industries Development Institute (MiDi) forDevelopment and Commercialisation of Innovative Technologies of WRA, offering development training programme to manufacturers, entrepreneurs, students etc. in different areas including customised programme.
WRA’S Research and Development Activities include:
• 17 R&D Projects completed in last 06 years
• 07 On-going R&D Projects
• 05 Products under commercialization stage
• 17 Patents filed in last 5 years
• 30 Research papers Published in the last 04 years