ITAMMA Seminar Explores Technical Textile Opportunities For Bhilwara

A seminar titled “Developments in Weaving Industry and Technical Textiles Beneficial for Bhilwara Textile Industry” was successfully held at the Mewar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Hall, Mewar Chamber Bhavan, Bhilwara. The event brought together stakeholders from the textile sector to explore emerging opportunities in technical textiles and advancements in weaving technology.

The seminar commenced with a welcome address by D. P. Mangal, President of MCCI, who emphasized the importance of technological adaptation for the growth of Bhilwara’s textile ecosystem.

The keynote presentation was delivered by N. D. Mhatre, Director General (Tech), ITAMMA. In his detailed PowerPoint presentation, Mhatre highlighted the growing potential in the weaving of technical textiles and the range of looms available to facilitate this transformation.

He elaborated on how looms today can weave a wide variety of technical textiles used in industries such as construction, automotive, medical, and industrial applications. The fabrics include those made from glass, aramid, carbon fibers, and specialized weaves like leno fabrics used for filtration, insulation, and composite reinforcement.

Key categories of technical textiles covered included:

• • Construction Textiles (Buildtech): Reinforcing fabrics for composites used in construction materials like concrete and plastics.
  • Geotextiles: For soil reinforcement, drainage, and erosion control.
  • Automotive Textiles (Mobiltech): Durable fabrics for car seats, dashboards, and interior trims.
  • Medical Textiles (Meditech/Medtex): Woven fabrics for surgical bandages, sutures, and implants.
  • Industrial Textiles (Indutech): PP filter fabrics, conveyor belts, industrial tapes, and protective clothing for fire and chemical resistance.
  • Ceramic Insulation Fabrics: For high-temperature industrial use.
  • Agro-textiles: For crop protection and weed control.
  • Leno Fabrics: Used in insect nets and filter applications.
  • High-performance fabrics: Including those made with glass, aramid, and carbon fibers.

He also discussed loom requirements for producing technical textiles, such as Wider sheds (via upgraded shedding mechanisms), Higher warp tension control, Modified reed and heddle frames, Use of specialized weaving machines like: Braid Mat Weaving Machine, Paper Mill Clothing Weaving Machine, 12-meter Wide Tubular Fabrics Weaving Machine, Needle Lines for needle-felted fabrics, Thermo-Bonding Lines, and Coating & Finishing Lines.

Mhatre further discussed the integration of cutting-edge technologies including Plasma technology for Rapier Head repairs, IIoT applications in weaving, High-resolution encoders, Sound-proof guards, LED systems to pinpoint warp breaks, Automatic loom inspection systems, Fabric labelling for traceability, Vibration sensors, Ceramic cutters, Electronically controlled cooling systems, Garment production directly on looms (technology displayed at ITMA), Powder brakes, Integrated lubrication systems, Mixed-reality 3D loom visualization, Encapsulated machines for car upholstery, Needle-less tucking-in devices, RHS selvedge waste reduction technology, and On-loom automatic fabric inspection.

Additionally, modifications to looms for lamination/coating processes and the use of heavy-duty creels for specialized yarns were also presented.

The session generated enthusiastic participation from industry stakeholders, many of whom expressed interest in transitioning to technical textile manufacturing with minimal investments in loom modifications.

The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by R. K. Jain, Hon. Secretary General, MCCI, who announced that a dedicated one-day conference will soon be organized. This event will focus on specific technical textile products that can be manufactured in Bhilwara with existing infrastructure and minor adaptations.