The Indian textile engineering landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation, shifting from legacy mechanical processes to a digital-first manufacturing ecosystem. At the third edition of the India ITME Technical Awards 2025 in Mumbai, industry leaders signaled that the sector has reached a critical inflection point where high-tech adoption is no longer optional. With the domestic textile market projected to reach $190 billion by 2025–26, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as the ‘third partner’ in production. This shift is designed to address systemic challenges such as labor-intensive quality control and energy inefficiencies, enabling Indian manufacturers to compete more aggressively in a global market that is increasingly demanding precision and speed.
Bridging heritage with advanced design
A significant news angle emerging from the summit is the strategic rebranding of traditional industries, specifically Khadi, as high-performance growth engines rather than philanthropic ventures. Roop Rashi Mahapatra, CEO, Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), emphasized, the future of traditional textiles lies in a ‘design-led’ approach that leverages modern engineering to create sustainable livelihoods. By combining ancient craftsmanship with contemporary machinery, the industry aims to create a circular economy where eco-friendly fibers like hemp and banana - standardized by 2025 - can meet the rigorous technical standards of international export markets. This convergence of heritage and technology is seen as a primary driver for the 10 per cent Y-o-Y export growth recorded in late 2025.
Recognizing the champions of sustainable engineering
The 2025 awards underscored a move toward "principled consumption" and localized innovation. Yamuna Machine Works was recognized as a champion in Processing and Finishing, while Zydex Industries took top honors for sustainability-centric initiatives. Notably, the industry is seeing a ‘startup mindset’ among young engineers who are developing cutting-edge solutions for fabric defect detection and thermal regulation. These innovations are critical as the sector faces rising raw material costs and shifting cotton sourcing patterns. The ‘Make in India’ vision was further solidified by Rieter India’s award for successful technology transfer, highlighting the country's growing capacity to manufacture world-class textile machinery domestically.
The India International Textile Machinery Exhibitions (ITME) Society is the apex non-profit industry body dedicated to promoting textile engineering and technology in India. Established in 1980, it serves as a global platform for technology transfer and trade. The Society currently focuses on the ‘Vision 2047’ roadmap, aiming to establish India as a global textile machinery hub. With the sector contributing 2.3 per cent to national GDP, the Society’s initiatives support a workforce of over 45 million by fostering academic-industry partnerships and accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 standards across the textile value chain.
