Indian Textiles Must Embrace Innovation, Says CITI Deputy Chairman
India’s textile and apparel industry must step up innovation and embed sustainability to stay competitive in global markets and achieve its export and domestic growth targets, according to Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) Deputy Chairman Ashwin Chandran.
“Innovation is no longer a choice, it is a pathway to futureproofing our industry,” Chandran said at a webinar on innovative products, organised by CITI in partnership with the Wool Research Association (WRA) and Finland-based Infinited Fiber.
Chandran noted that scaling innovation and sustainability could help Indian exporters move up the value chain in the US$ 900 billion global textile and apparel market, while also strengthening the push towards the government’s US$ 100 billion export target by 2030. This, he said, is critical at a time when Indian exporters are facing headwinds from the US imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods effective August 27. The US is India’s single-largest market, accounting for nearly 28% of export revenue or about US$ 11 billion in FY25.
On the domestic front, Chandran said Indian consumers are increasingly seeking high-performance, functional, and eco-friendly products, reinforcing the need for continuous innovation. The government has set a target to expand the domestic textile market to US$ 250 billion by 2030 from the current US$ 180 billion.
He also stressed the need for commercialising research. “Innovations developed at R&D institutions must be piloted and scaled by companies, otherwise they risk remaining on paper,” he said.
At the webinar, WRA showcased a lightweight cricket pad designed for better safety and performance, along with a smart T-shirt capable of measuring real-time health parameters. Finland’s Infinited Fiber presented its breakthrough fibre ‘Infinna’, a cotton-like material made entirely from waste that can be recycled infinitely, marking a step forward in circular economy practices.
Industry experts said that with rising tariffs, volatile demand, and increasing sustainability mandates in global markets, Indian textile players need to focus on innovation-led differentiation rather than cost-driven competition.
