Entrepreneurs interested in investing in technical textiles should look at opportunities related to cotton woven and knitted fabric, T. Rajkumar, chairman of Southern India Mills’ Association, said here on Friday.
Inaugurating a conference organised by PSG College of Technology Centre of Excellence (Indutech), he said more than 70 per cent of technical textiles needs man-made fibre and filaments. With levy of excise duty, import duty, special additional duty, etc, the cost of the fibres and filaments in India is 20 per cent to 30 per cent higher compared to competing countries such as China and Indonesia.
ProductionThe country is producing nearly 390 lakh bales of cotton a year and textile industry in Tamil Nadu is predominantly cotton-based.
The State has units across the textile value chain from spinning to garmenting. Considering the huge investment needed for non-woven and lack of technical know-how, entrepreneurs should focus on cotton-based technical textiles.
KnowledgeUnlike conventional textile manufacturing and marketing, technical textiles requires special knowledge, research and development, technical know-how, technology, marketing and branding initiatives to tap market opportunities in domestic and international markets.
Since the industries will need a longer duration to develop local brands, they need to tie-up with international brands to have a higher market share. The association and Indian Technical Textiles Association will extend all support to companies in their effort to develop cotton-based technical textile products. Though the textile industry in the country grew 10 per cent ever year during the tenth five year plan period, growth declined to less than seven per cent a year during 2007-2012.
PriceThe units faced volatility in cotton prices, withdrawal of export incentives, and problems in getting benefits under the Technology Upgradation Fund scheme.
Mr. Rajkumar said the Union Government should study the vision document that the industry will submit soon, remove the bottle necks, and announce proactive policies to revive the textile industry.