Tiruppur Accelerates PNG Shift Amid LPG Crunch, ESG Push
Tiruppur, India’s leading textile hub, is accelerating its transition to piped natural gas (PNG) as manufacturers respond to an ongoing LPG shortage triggered by the US–Israel–Iran conflict while also aligning with tightening global sustainability requirements.
The shift gained momentum during a joint industry session organised by the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA) and Adani Total Gas, where TEA President K. M. Subramanian highlighted that PNG infrastructure will soon become essential for textile manufacturing clusters, both to ensure energy security and to maintain export competitiveness.
The transition is being driven not only by supply disruptions but also by evolving global compliance frameworks. Subramanian pointed to the upcoming Digital Product Passport requirements, which will mandate greater transparency, traceability, and environmental compliance across textile supply chains.
Supporting this view, Kumar Duraiswami said that PNG adoption is increasingly a strategic necessity rather than a temporary measure, noting that exporters catering to European markets will need to align with ESG norms within the next two years, accelerating the shift away from conventional fuels such as LPG and coal.
At the same time, rising energy costs are adding pressure on the sector, with shortages pushing production costs up by nearly 15%, impacting exporters operating in a highly competitive global market. Subramanian cautioned that without access to a stable and cost-efficient energy source, manufacturers risk losing both margins and market share. Industry experts including K. R. Venkatesan and Karthik B provided insights into PNG connectivity, pricing, and operational integration, indicating that groundwork for implementation is already underway.
Tiruppur’s move signals a broader structural shift in India’s textile industry, where sustainability, cost efficiency, and supply chain resilience are becoming central priorities, with cleaner fuels like PNG expected to play a key role in ensuring long-term growth and compliance.
