To foster the growth of technical textiles in India, the Government has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative. Startups in the technical textiles domain are set to receive a substantial grant of up to INR 50 lakh. The Ministry of Textiles has greenlit the Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT) program. The ultimate goal is to position India as a global front-runner in the realm of technical textiles, according to Rajeev Saxena, joint secretary of the ministry.
Shift towards Functional Excellence
Unlike conventional textiles, technical textiles prioritize functional attributes over aesthetics. Industries spanning automobiles, civil engineering, construction, and agriculture extensively use these specialized fabrics. Recognizing the significance of enhancing local technical textile manufacturing, the government launched the National Technical Textile Mission. This initiative reflects the Centre’s commitment to bolstering the country’s prowess in this dynamic sector.
Government Empowering Incubators and Institutes
The new guidelines have introduced a significant change in funding distribution. Incubators involved in technical textiles will now receive 10% of the total grant-in-aid. Additionally, the Ministry of Textiles has approved a generous funding of INR 151 crore for 26 institutes. These institutions are slated to upgrade their laboratories, introduce new courses centered around technical textiles, and stay ahead in the ever-evolving industry landscape.
Prominent Institutes to Benefit
The list of institutes set to benefit from this funding is impressive. Renowned institutions such as IIT Delhi, NIT Jalandhar, NIT Durgapur, NIT Karnataka, NIFT Mumbai, ICT Mumbai, Anna University, PSG College of Technology, and Amity University are among the recipients of the financial support. The focus of the funding will be primarily on refining existing courses related to textile technology, ensuring that students receive cutting-edge education.
Government Fostering Startup Ecosystem and Industry Evolution
The Ministry of Textiles emphasizes its dedication to fostering a robust startup ecosystem in the technical textiles arena. The ministry highlighted that these guidelines are strategically designed to support both individuals and companies in translating prototypes into innovative technologies and marketable products. These guidelines intends to pave the way for technology commercialization.
Furthermore, Saxena shared that the government has already taken proactive steps.
From October 7, 2023, two quality control orders (QCOs) will come into effect. These QCOs will apply to 31 technical textile products. The products include geotextiles and protective textiles. This move underlines the government’s commitment to promoting and ensuring the quality of technical textiles.
Piyush Goyal, the commerce minister, emphasized promoting startups in technical textiles. The industry shows significant growth potential. In FY22, its value was about $22 billion. Statista predicts a remarkable expansion to $309 billion by 2047. This upward trajectory reinforces the significance of the Centre’s support for startups and innovation in technical textiles.
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