NITRA Hosts National Conference On Innovations In Protective Textiles
The National Conference on Innovations in Protective Textiles was grandly inaugurated on April 9, 2026, at the Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA), Ghaziabad, by Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh. Organised with the support of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), the conference marked a significant step in strengthening India’s position as a global hub for advanced, high-performance, and sustainable protective textiles.
Manisha Chatterjee, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, attended the event as the guest of honour and chaired a session on the future of technical textiles, highlighting policy direction and emerging opportunities in the sector.
A key highlight of the inaugural ceremony was the launch of a video documentary and a pictorial book showcasing the journey of the milkweed plant from flower to fibre to finished textile product, demonstrating its potential as an eco-friendly and innovative resource for protective textile applications.
The conference featured a series of special and plenary sessions led by senior government officials and industry leaders. Discussions centred on sustainability in protective textiles, industry outlook, policy initiatives and innovation-led growth. Eminent speakers from leading organisations shared insights on evolving market dynamics, technological advancements, and sectoral challenges.
Technical sessions provided further depth, with expert presentations on developments in firefighter protective clothing, industrial safety textiles, impact-resistant materials and specialised applications such as parachute fabrics and camouflage solutions. The sessions witnessed active participation from researchers, academicians, and industry professionals, fostering knowledge exchange on cutting-edge innovations.
The event concluded with a high-level panel discussion on Sustainability and Innovation in Protective Textiles, where experts from industry, academia, and research institutions deliberated on future pathways, collaborative opportunities and the growing importance of sustainable practices in shaping next-generation protective textiles.
Overall, the conference served as a dynamic platform to promote innovation, strengthen industry-academia collaboration, and reinforce India’s commitment to research, sustainability and technological advancement in the protective textiles sector.
