India’s Technical Textile Exports Grew 6.2% In Apr-Nov 2024: NTTM Mission Director A K Malhotra
The Mission Director of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) Ashok Kumar Malhotra, has announced a significant 6.2% increase in India’s exports of specialized technical textile products. Between April and November this year, exports reached US$ 342 million, compared to US$ 275 million during the same period last year.
Speaking on the current landscape, Malhotra highlighted that India remains a major importer of technical textiles, driven by rising domestic consumption. He stressed the need to boost domestic manufacturing to meet this growing demand and to minimize dependency on imports. He also noted the country’s growing strength in exporting products like sanitary napkins and nappies, showcasing India’s potential in niche markets.
The packaging technology and geotextiles segments have emerged as two of the fastest-growing areas within technical textiles. Malhotra revealed that more than half of the US$ 174 million allocated under NTTM has already been utilized, with an additional US$ 58.81 million set aside for workforce training and ecosystem development.
Malhotra also encouraged the use of diverse raw materials for technical textiles, including jute, ramie, wool, silk and banana fibre. He assured that NTTM is ready to support any initiatives that explore innovative uses of these materials.
He highlighted the application of silk in medical textiles and the increasing use of jute in geotextiles. Other specialized technical textiles, such as fire-resistant fabrics for railways, high-altitude military gear, materials for civil aviation and upholstery for movie theatres, were identified as having significant market potential.
These developments reflect India’s efforts to establish itself as a global player in technical textiles, leveraging innovation and targeted investments to expand its export footprint and reduce import reliance.
