MANTRA Enters 50th Year As Surat Eyes Shift Towards Technical Textiles
The Man-Made Textiles Research Association (MANTRA) has entered its 50th year, marking nearly five decades of research, technical services and industry support as Surat’s textile sector looks to move towards technical textiles, sustainable manufacturing and higher-value products.
MANTRA announced the milestone at a press conference in Surat, where its President, Rajnikant Bachkaniwala, outlined the celebrations scheduled for October 9, 2026, at Hotel Marriott, Surat. Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh is expected to attend the programme as chief guest, along with officials from the Ministry of Textiles and the Office of the Textile Commissioner.
During the briefing, MANTRA Director Dr Pankaj Gandhi highlighted the association’s research projects, technical services and industry-oriented research and development initiatives undertaken over the past 49 years. He also discussed opportunities to strengthen research in line with the evolving requirements of the textile industry.
Surat has emerged as a major integrated man-made fibre (MMF) textile hub, with capabilities spanning yarn production, weaving, processing, dyeing, printing, embroidery and garment manufacturing. According to industry estimates presented at the briefing, the region has a fabric production capacity of approximately six crore metres per day and supports 18–20 lakh direct and indirect jobs in the textile sector.
The region also has an extensive manufacturing base, including an estimated six to seven lakh powerlooms, more than 600 processing units and nearly one lakh embroidery machines.
As the industry faces growing demands for product innovation, sustainability and international quality compliance, MANTRA is positioned to support the transition through research, material testing, product development and technical textile applications.
Bachkaniwala said the association’s milestone reflected its long-standing commitment to the textile sector. MANTRA office-bearers, including Honorary Secretary Prafulbhai Gandhi, were also present at the press conference.
