‘GTTES 2025 Aims To Create Valuable Networking Opportunities And Drive Industry Growth’

GTTES 2025 will highlight key trends such as sustainability, automation, innovation and efficiency-driven solutions, says Ketan Sanghvi in an exclusive tete-a-tete with Henry Dsouza, Associate Editor, Textile Insights

 Given the industry’s gradual recovery and shifting global trade dynamics, how will the Global Textile Technology & Engineering Show 2025 (GTTES 2025) distinguish itself from previous editions in terms of focus and innovation?
The industry is looking to rebound after a challenging period. The past year, as we all know, has been tough, with geopolitical uncertainties, fluctuating raw material prices and upcoming elections causing hesitation in new investments. However, as the situation stabilizes, we are seeing a shift in sentiment.

There is growing optimism, driven in part by the evolving global supply chain dynamics, such as the “China Plus One” and “Bangladesh Plus One” strategies. If India can capture a share of this business, it could provide significant opportunities for the industry. Export orders have started to improve, and we expect this momentum to flow through the supply chain, leading to better business prospects for all stakeholders.

In terms of GTTES, the exhibition will focus on key industry drivers. The first is productivity, particularly how new products and technologies enhance business operations. Automation and AI are transforming the industry and their practical benefits for users will be a major highlight.

The second key focus is sustainability, which has evolved from a buzzword into a serious priority. The Indian government is engaging with European stakeholders to understand global sustainability models and explore their implementation in India. For exporters, especially those catering to European markets, sustainability is becoming an essential requirement. As the regulatory landscape evolves, this will be a critical area of discussion at GTTES.

Overall, the exhibition will serve as a platform for showcasing innovations that drive productivity and sustainability while aligning with the industry’s evolving needs.

How does GTTES 2025 align with the evolving needs of the global textile industry, particularly in terms of sustainability and technology?
Sustainability has been a widely discussed topic for years, but we are now witnessing real implementation. When we talk about sustainability in the textile industry, three key areas stand out:

Energy Efficiency: Modern textile machinery is not only improving in terms of speed and productivity but also focusing on reducing energy consumption. This has become a critical area of development.

Recyclability: While recycling is gaining traction in the textile sector, there is now a growing effort to integrate it into textile machinery and components. Companies are exploring ways to optimize resource utilization and assess whether certain materials or products can be effectively recycled, ultimately reducing the industry’s overall carbon footprint.

Artificial Intelligence: AI is increasingly being incorporated into textile manufacturing processes, but its full potential is still evolving. As government policies become more focused on sustainability, more companies will be compelled to follow suit. The growing demand from Indian consumers is also pushing the industry to adopt sustainable practices.

Regarding recycling, since GTTES focuses on post-spinning solutions, we expect to see some innovative recycling technologies showcased by exhibitors. Recycling is emerging as a crucial subject, and visitors can anticipate insights into both mechanical and chemical recycling solutions at the event.

How is GTTES facilitating meaningful connections among exhibitors, buyers and industry stakeholders?
GTTES serves as a common platform that brings together all key stakeholders in the textile industry, including user industries, machinery manufacturers, component and accessory suppliers, government bodies and academia. The objective is to foster collaboration and meaningful interactions across the sector.

For instance, during this edition of GTTES, the Government of Chhattisgarh will be making investment presentations, highlighting opportunities in the textile sector. Additionally, officials from the Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of Heavy Industries will be visiting, further strengthening engagement between exhibitors, manufacturers and policymakers.

By facilitating such interactions, GTTES aims to create valuable networking opportunities and drive industry growth.

What key trends and solutions showcased at GTTES could shape the future of the textile industry?
The central theme at GTTES revolves around showcasing innovative technology and solutions that align with the needs of the Indian textile industry. Visitors are keen to explore not just new technologies but also assess their economic viability and long-term competitiveness.

A major focus will be on how these innovations fit within industry planning, ensuring both technological advancement and cost-effectiveness. This is particularly relevant in Asian economies, where success depends on balancing technology with affordability and market competitiveness.

Additionally, the event will highlight key trends such as sustainability, automation and efficiency-driven solutions, providing a comprehensive outlook on the future of the textile industry.

How is GTTES 2025 contributing to India’s vision of becoming a global textile hub?
India’s textile industry has been making significant strides, with total industry size reaching US$ 350 billion and exports at approximately US$ 100 billion. GTTES 2025 aims to accelerate this growth by providing a dynamic platform for industry stakeholders to collaborate and drive investments.

The event will facilitate discussions on key areas such as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), joint ventures and new project developments. Additionally, GTTES 2025 will attract foreign buyers, enabling direct B2B meetings and fostering international partnerships.

By bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and global investors, GTTES 2025 plays a crucial role in strengthening India’s position as a leading global textile hub.

What is your vision for the growth and evolution of GTTES in the coming years?
GTTES is set to focus more specifically on the post-spinning sectors of the textile industry, complementing events like India ITME, which serves as a broader exhibition for the entire industry. While spinning remains a dominant sector, the goal is to encourage growth across other segments, including weaving, processing and garmenting, to ensure proportional development in these areas.

GTTES also aims to serve as an accessible platform for companies that may not be able to participate in larger events like India ITME, offering a more affordable option to showcase their products to the Indian industry. By catering to different price points and ranges, GTTES will help offer a wider variety of choices to customers.

As the industry and the exhibition landscape evolve, GTTES will continue to adapt and innovate, focusing on fostering growth and keeping pace with the changing dynamics of both the textile and exhibition sectors.

How do you see the growth of GTTES compared to previous editions in terms of exhibitors? Is it becoming a must-participate event for exhibitors, similar to India ITME?
The growth of GTTES is a mixed picture, as we are positioning it as the premier event for the post-spinning sector. While we aim to make GTTES the go-to show for this segment, exhibitors face many decisions about where they can participate, especially with the growing number of events. These decisions are individual choices for exhibitors, and we hope that over time, GTTES will evolve in a way similar to India ITME.

India ITME took 11 editions to reach its current stature, and we are committed to focusing on growth. However, GTTES will continue to concentrate on the post-spinning segment, as expanding to include spinning would likely overwhelm the event with exhibitors and dilute its focus.

In terms of competition, GTTES is spaced two years apart from India ITME, which occurs every four years. This gap provides an opportunity for exhibitors to participate in both events without overlap.

That said, participating in exhibitions, especially those requiring live machinery displays, is becoming increasingly expensive and logistically challenging for exhibitors. The cost of transporting machines, setting up displays and managing personnel adds complexity. GTTES aims to address these challenges by providing a unique experience that differs from other exhibitions.