The 33rd Technological Conference held by the South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) in Coimbatore, emphasized on the need to grow the textile industry beyond its established strengths such as spinning and knitting.
Dr. Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Chairman, Council of Administration of SITRA urged the industry to actively participate in the research institute’s project. He called for collaborative efforts in all areas of textiles such as home textiles, made-up garments, etc.
Excellence in cotton R & D has to be translated into value-added textiles, added Dr S. K. Sundararaman, Vice-Chairman, SIMA.
Dr. PrakashVasudevan, Director, SITRA urged for greater interaction of industry personnel with other institutes to translate technologies to commercial scale.
Industry-academia participation is vital in moving the textiles sector to the next level. In this aspect, a collaboration between this scribe and Aruppukottai-based Jayalakshmi Textiles, 73,000 spindles cotton spinning mill has resulted in a sustainable industrial textile product. Texas Tech University has been collaborating with this textile mill in developing value-added cotton products that have applications beyond the regular fiber to fashion supply chair. Translation of research to reality is need of the hour. Such technological conferences provide much needed support to grow the industry.
