Sustainability Is A Major Driving Force Behind Textile Industry Transformation: Sanjay Sharma

Bharat Tex 2025 has emerged as a pivotal platform for Indian textile manufacturers, providing an opportunity to engage with global buyers and showcase innovations. BMD Private Limited, a leading player in high-performance fabrics, is leveraging this platform to expand its footprint beyond automotive textiles. In an insightful conversation at the exhibition, Sanjay Sharma and Pragati Pallavi, shared their perspectives on participation, industry trends and sustainability.

BMD Private Limited has traditionally been engaged in manufacturing high-performance fabrics for niche markets, including automotive, railways, defence and airlines. According to Sanjay Sharma, the company initially did not feel the need for a platform like Bharat Tex, as their clientele was limited to select industries where direct engagement was sufficient. However, the company’s strategic expansion into home textiles in 2020 prompted a shift in their approach.

“In home textiles, we are not working through retailers but directly with end-users who require fabrics with specific quality standards and functionality,” said Sharma. “Since our background is in technical textiles, we focus more on functional properties rather than just aesthetics. Our offerings include flame-retardant, water-repellent and high-tenacity fabrics for outdoor applications.”

He emphasized that Bharat Tex 2025 offers the perfect opportunity to interact with potential buyers, understand market perspectives and assess how they can collaborate with partners and competitors to leverage industry strengths.

When asked about the role of Bharat Tex in shaping India’s textile landscape, Sharma acknowledged its growing significance but cautioned against direct comparisons with established European fairs.

“To create such a huge forum in India is remarkable. However, comparing it to European will not be fair. Heimtextil has been around for decades and operates on a different scale. Bharat Tex is still in its early years, but it has great potential to strengthen India’s textile ecosystem,” he remarked.

Having participated last year on a limited scale, BMD Private Limited made a more calculated decision this time. Sharma noted that within the first two days, they identified key prospective customers from major industry players. “We operate in a niche market and do not cater to everyone. However, we have already engaged with 4-5 significant leads that could translate into long-term business,” he said.

Discussing the evolving trends in the Indian and global textile industry, Sharma highlighted the shift from volume-based production to value-added manufacturing.

“Earlier, India was focused on commodity textiles—fibre, yarn and basic fabrics. The industry’s success was measured in kilogrammes and metres. Now, we are moving towards high-margin, value-added products,” he explained. “Instead of exporting base fabrics for finishing in other countries, Indian manufacturers are increasing their participation in the value chain from fibre to garment.”

Sustainability, he noted, is a major driving force behind industry transformation. Concepts like ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ are now deeply embedded in manufacturing strategies. “In automotive textiles, for instance, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers mandate that at least 20% of the material used must be recycled. This has pushed us to innovate, despite the challenges in sourcing suitable raw materials,” Sharma added.

With increasing emphasis on eco-friendly textiles, BMD is exploring the potential of sustainable materials such as hemp, recycled fibres, and banana fibre. Sharma pointed out that sustainability efforts now go beyond just materials to include reductions in energy and water consumption, waste management and carbon footprint control.

Pragati Pallavi, Associate Vice President – Design & Development, shared her perspective on the company’s participation. “We had a good response this year compared to last time. Last year, we were still understanding the event, but this time, we came with a more structured approach. The right kind of people are visiting our stall—companies that align with our business goals,” she noted.

Reflecting on the overall experience, Pallavi acknowledged initial concerns owing to the company’s simultaneous participation in Heimtextil. However, the positive engagement at Bharat Tex convinced them of the event’s significance. “After the first day, we decided that next time, we should have a larger booth in the right location,” she concluded.