Surat: On the concluding day of Textile Week, the Global Fabric Resource & Research Centre (GFRRC) of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) organized a seminar on “The Future of Technical Textiles” on Saturday, July 26. The event was held at the Samruddhi Auditorium in Nanpura and witnessed the participation of prominent textile entrepreneurs and industry experts from Surat.
The chief guest of the seminar was SGCCI’s former president Rajendra Chokhawala. The expert speakers included Biren Bandyopadhyay, Executive Director of Orbit Exports Ltd., and Ashish Gujarati, Director of Aditya Home Textiles and former SGCCI president.
In his keynote address, Chokhawala highlighted that the technical textiles sector is growing at a rate of 6 to 11 percent and is projected to reach a market size of USD 28.6 billion by 2030. He emphasized the central government's support through subsidies for research, innovation, and export in this segment. He noted that advancements like 3D weaving, smart textiles, and nanotechnology are preparing India to compete globally.
Ashish Gujarati stressed that Surat must evolve beyond traditional grey fabrics and focus on value-added products such as UV-resistant, anti-bacterial, and flame-retardant textiles. He called 3D knitted MMF technology the future and emphasized the need for integrated MMF clusters and domestic brand incubation.
Biren Bandyopadhyay shed light on the importance of testing at every stage of production, from yarn to final products, both on-loom and off-loom. He mentioned that items like parachutes, fire-retardant fabrics, and NBC suits are still produced in limited quantities in India, but hold immense potential.
He further stated that sustainability in technical textiles should be rooted in economic, social, and environmental aspects. Efficient resource use, worker welfare, and carbon footprint reduction are crucial to ensure long-term viability.
SGCCI Group Chairman Giridhar Gopal Mundra said India aims to achieve USD 100 billion in textile exports by 2030, with Surat playing a key role. To meet this target, large-scale production in segments like technical textiles and home furnishings is essential.
The event was attended by SGCCI Vice President Ashok Jirawala, former president Mahendra Kajiwala, Co-chair Amrish Bhatt, and several other industry leaders. The seminar concluded with an interactive session where experts addressed entrepreneurs' queries and discussed commercial opportunities in technical textiles.
