Technical Textiles in India

Technical Textiles in India- Relevance for UPSC Exam

• GS Paper 3: Science and Technology- Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Technical Textiles in India- Context

• Recently, Union Minister for Textiles said that India should aim to target a 5 times increase in export of Technical Textiles in the next 3 years.
• Centre is expected to support PLIs for Textile Sector in States supporting the development and offering affordable infrastructure for Textile Manufacturing like cheap land and power.

Technical Textiles in India- Key Points

• About: Technical textiles are defined as textile materials and products used primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics.
  • Other terms used for defining technical textiles include industrial textiles, functional textiles, performance textiles, engineering textiles, invisible textiles and hi-tech textiles.
• Use: Technical textiles are used individually or as a component/part of another product.
  • Technical textiles are used individually to satisfy specific functions such as fire-retardant fabric for uniforms of firemen and coated fabric to be used as awnings.
  • As a component or part of another product, they are used to enhance the strength, performance or other functional properties of that product.
• Key characteristics: Technical textiles are preferred due to following features
  • Health & safety;
  • Cost effectiveness;
  • Durability;
  • High strength;
  • Light weight;
  • Versatility;
  • Customization;
  • User friendliness;
  • Eco friendliness;
  • Logistical convenience, etc.

Technical Textiles in India- Key Potential

• Contribution in Indian Economy: Technical textile accounts for approximately 13% of India’s total textile and apparel market and contributes to India’s GDP at 0.7%.
  • There is a huge potential to fulfil a large demand gap as the consumption of technical textiles in India is still only at 5-10% against 30-70% in some of the advanced countries.
• National Technical Textiles Mission: It has been set up with an aim to ensure-
  • An average growth rate of 15-20% to increase the domestic market size of technical textiles to $ 40-50 Bn by the year 2024
  • This is to be achieved through market development, market promotion, international technical collaborations, investment promotions and Make in India initiative.
• Global Potential: The demand for technical textiles was pegged at $ 165 Bn in the year 2018 and is expected to grow up to $ 220 Bn by 2025, at a CAGR of 4% from 2018-25.

Technical Textiles in India- Types of technical textiles

• Depending on the product characteristics, functional requirements and end-use applications the highly diversified range of technical textile are grouped into 12 segments. These are-

1. 1. AGROTECH (AGRO TEXTILES): For example- Bird Protection Nets, Monofil Nets, Fruit Covers, Weed Control Fabric, etc.
   2. BUILDTECH (CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES): For example- Scaffolding Nets, Hoardings / Signages, Architectural Membranes,
   3. CLOTHTECH (CLOTHING TEXTILES): For example- Sewing threads, Shoe laces, Interlining, Zip Fasteners, etc.
   4. GEOTECH (GEO TEXTILES): For example- Construction of roads, River Canal and coastal work, Sports field construction, etc.
   5. HOMETECH (HOME TEXTILES): For example- Carpet Backing Cloth, Stuffed toys, HVAC filters, Mattresses and pillows, etc.
   6. INDUTECH (INDUSTRIAL TEXTILES): For example- DECATISING CLOTH, CONVEYOR BELTS, Printed Circuit Board, Ropes and Cordages, Composites, Industrial Brushes, etc.
   7. MEDITECH (MEDICAL TEXTILES): For example- Baby Diapers, Incontinence Diapers, Surgical Disposables, Surgical Dressing Material, etc.
   8. MOBILTECH (AUTOMOTIVE TEXTILES): For example- Nylon tyre cord, Seat belt webbing, Car upholstery/ Seat cover fabrics, Automotive Airbags, Helmets, Railways seat cover fabric, etc.
   9. PACKTECH (PACKAGING TEXTILES): For example- Polyolefin Woven Sacks, Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC), Wrapping Fabric, etc.
   10. PROTECH (PROTECTIVE TEXTILES): For example- Industrial Gloves, High altitude clothing, Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC), etc.
   11. SPORTTECH (SPORTS TEXTILES): For example- Parachute Fabrics, Sports Shoe Components, Sleeping Bags, Artificial turf, etc.
   12. OEKOTECH: For example- Recycling, Waste disposal, environment protection, etc.

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