53rd IIKF Puts MMF, Innovation And Sustainability In Focus
The 53rd India International Knit Fair (IIKF), held from September 16–18, 2026, at the IKF Complex in Tiruppur, brought together exporters, buyers and sourcing professionals, with a focus on man-made fibres (MMF), innovation and sustainability.
Organised by the India Knit Fair Association (IKFA) under the aegis of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), supported by the Ministry of Textiles, the fair centred on the theme, The Future of Fashion through MMF, Innovation and Sustainability.
Dr A. Sakthivel, Chairman of AEPC and IKFA, inaugurated the exhibition in the presence of K.M. Subramaniam, President of the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA), and V. Elangovan, President of ABAT. Representatives of industry associations, buyers, buying agents, exhibitors and trade members attended the inauguration.
The opening day featured brainstorming sessions, an exporters’ meet and a stall awards ceremony. Discussions explored opportunities in MMF, the potential of free trade agreements to support textile exports and the growing role of technology in the industry.
Kishan Daga of Concepts n Strategies addressed India’s MMF Opportunity: Converting FTAs into Global Textile Growth. A session on India–UK trade opportunities featured Matthew Walker, Creative Director, and Gaitri Hingorani, Founder and CEO, of Nkyama Tradings Pvt Ltd. TEA’s IT wing presented TEA and Tech What’s Ahead.
During the awards ceremony, Sakthivel and Subramaniam presented awards and appreciation certificates to stall winners. Buyers and sourcing consultants were also recognised for their contribution to the industry.
