A designer studio-cum-library for viscose staple fibre (VSF) products will be launched in Tirupur to provide training in the handling of viscose yarn and fabrics. Grasim Industries, in association with the Tirupur Exporters’ Association (TEA), is to set up the state-of-art-facility. TEA president Raja M Shanmugham disclosed it was important to enlarge the product range, while 65 per cent of global apparel segment belongs to man-made fibres, it would be difficult for the dollar city to survive if it only continued to bank on cotton fabric products, because many developing countries are picking up in the latter market.
With the Liva brand, Grasim Industries is the giant in VSF market and so when they approached TEA, they welcomed them with open arms. Garment manufacturers in Tirupur may be good at handling cotton yarn and fabrics, but not viscose.
Head of R&D, NIFT-TEA College of Knitwear Fashion, CP Senthil Kumar explained, viscose’s wet strength is lesser compared to cotton and the fabric may swell easily. Experience will be needed to handle issues including shrinkage control. Such know-how could be earned from the technical experts at the state-of-art designer studio where marketing solutions could also be met. To strengthen the supply chain, Grasim Industries will include yarn/fabric manufacturers and dyeing processors, who works on their knowledge under Liva accredited partner forum (LAPF).
