CURRENT AFFAIRS

Description

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Introduction

The Textile Industry is one of the oldest industries in India having a range of segments under its umbrella. The industry is spread from hand-woven, an unorganised segment on one end, to a capital-intensive organised mill sector on the other. One of India’s biggest strengths lies in it being the largest producer of cotton & jute and the second largest producer of Man-made fibres and silk globally.

One of the segments of this industry that has received significant attention across the world is technical textiles.

What are Technical Textiles?

Technical textiles are defined as textile materials and products used primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics. Other terms used for defining technical textiles include industrial textiles, functional textiles, performance textiles,engineering textiles, invisible textiles and hi-tech textiles.

Technical textiles are used individually or as a component/part of another product.

·         Technical textiles are used individually to satisfy specific functions such as fire retardant fabric for uniforms of firemen and coated fabric to be used as awnings.

·         As a component or part of another product, they are used to enhance the strength, performance or other functional properties of that product.

Based on usage, there are 12 technical textile segments. Technical textile products are manufactured mainly using speciality fibres such as Nomex, Kevlar, Spandex, Glass and Carbon etc.

These fibres exhibit enhanced functional properties like

·         higher tenacity

·         excellent insulation

·         improved thermal resistance and chemical resistance

Hence, these high performance fibers find place in varied industries and applications.

Applications

·         Act as Stain or water repellence in Table cloth, curtains, furniture, car, bus, train. Airplane seats

·         Act as Flame retardance in textile interiors of buildings and transport systems

·         Act as Anti-bacterial behavior in Bedding, medical textiles

·         Act as UV protection in Roofs, tents, awnings, blinds, curtains

·         Used in Textile-reinforced concrete

·         Used in Fibre- and textile-based bridging cables and elements

·         Used in Erosion and landslide protection systems

·         Used in Textile reinforcement of dykes and other water management systems

·         Used in Fibre-based light, flexible and durable piping and canalization

·         Provide new treatment options (textile based implants instead of scarce donor organs; artificial tissues, joints and ligaments),

·         Speed up recovery after medical treatment (innovative wound dressings; light, Breathable orthoses/ protheses)

·         Enhance quality of life of chronically ill people (functional clothing)

·         Performance fibre-based textiles used in balloons, parachutes, sails, nets and ropes;

·         Used in aircraft wing and body structures or boat rumps made of fibre and textile-based composites;

·         E-textiles incorporate electronics such as sensors, batteries, LEDs and computing devices into fabrics. These materials are made by combining textiles with conductive materials — for example, weaving a silver thread into cloth. Electronic textiles are most commonly used for smart clothing and interior design.

Technical textile industry in India

Technical textiles global market is expected to grow from USD 177 billion in 2018 to reach USD 220 billion by 2022. United States of America is the world's largest producer and consumer of technical textiles having 23% share followed by Western Europe having 22 % share, China having 13% and Japan having 7% share.

The share of India in world technical textiles market is about 4-5%.

As per the Baseline Survey of technical textile industry by Ministry of Textiles, the market size in India for the year 2017-18 is projected as Rs 1,16,217 crore and taking into account the current trend of growth and various initiatives of the government, domestic market size of the technical textiles is expected to cross Rs 2 lakh crores by the year 2020-21.

Government schemes for promotion of Textile Industry

1. Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS)

With Aim of 'Make in India' and 'Zero Defect and Zero Effect' in manufacturing, the government provides credit linked capital investment subsidy. This scheme would facilitate augmenting of investment, productivity, quality, employment, exports and import subsitution in textile industry. It will also indirectly promote investment in textile machinery manufacturing.

2. Scheme for Integrated Textile Park

It provides the industry with world-class state of the art infrastructure facilities for setting up their textile units to meet international environmental and social standards.

3. Technology Mission on Technical Textiles

The objective of Mini Mission I is standardization in, creating common testing facilities with national/international accreditation, indigenous development of prototypes and maintaining a resource centre with I.T. infrastructure. The the objective of Mini Mission II is to provide support for the development of domestic & export markets for technical textiles.

Conclusion

Technical Textiles sector in India is estimated to be growing at the rate of 12% per annum. In order to achieve the potential of nearly 20% annual growth in this sector, there is a need for proactive approach towards expanding the existing market, promote usage of technical textiles in various Government schemes and programmes, increase awareness among the citizens and institutions in the country.

Technical Textile Industry in India is mostly in MSME sector and needs international exposure in technology adoption as well as introduction of new products in the domestic market.

Further, using latest technology; going for foreign collaboration and joint ventures; establishing close cooperation with country’s technical institutes; greater investments and developing domestic market for creating demand of technical textiles are some of the measure that are needed to be taken for rapid growth of this sector in the country.

In sum up, the right thrust in the desired direction, can position India as a global leader in production, consumption and a major exporter of technical textiles.

Reference: NITI Aayog and Indian Technical Textile Association