India is gearing up for a big push into technical textiles due to the stressful situation faced by the spinning sector due to cotton price volatility and supply issues. Margins in the spinning sector have been eroding with margins being almost non-existent in most mills. Mills that have invested in wind power and modernization are surviving but still need to focus on diversification. There is an immediate need to create a flow channel for downstream technical textiles fabrics that can be translated into value-added products, used by consumers. Investing in infrastructure to produce roll goods will be fruitful. Additionally, creating collaborations with advanced nations in this field such as Germany and the United States will pave the way for growth of this sector.

India has been promoting the technical textile sector for nearly two decades. The technical textile sector is getting attention by entrepreneurs as well as conventional players. Players in family-based weaving and agriculture activities are exploring the advanced textile sector. More information on the type of products needed and how to go about developing those products should be made available for the new entrants.

The Indian nonwoven fabrics industry organized its first nonwoven technical workshop in Mumbai in January 2007.