Techtextil India 2021 opened in Mumbai today bringing the technical textile industry together after a two-year gap. The trade fair aims to showcase the future potential of technical textiles backed by a series of knowledge sessions, live product demos and B2B networking opportunities. The event was inaugurated by Textiles Committee secretary Ajit Chavan.

The aim of the new edition—the very first post-lockdown—is to promote industry unification and support business recovery across the value chain of technical textiles, show organiser Messe Frankfurt India said in a media release.

“The government of India’s policies are completely catered towards the growth of technical textiles. We have a target of ₹2 lakh crore in the country and the Indian industry is geared up to achieve that market potential. As a country, we have a great lot of scope in agrotech and medtech, while we have always been at the forefront of packtech, geotech and other high-technology areas,” Chavan said while addressing the industry at the inauguration.

“The PLI scheme will be a major fillip in manufacturing of technical textiles and the textile parks will provide integrated linkages with the technical textile value chain,” Chavan said.

Weavetech Engineers, Lenzing Fibers India Pvt Ltd, Khosla Profile Pvt Ltd, Lucky International, Meera Industries Ltd, Park Non-Woven Pvt Ltd, Sarex Chemicals, Alok Masterbatches Pvt Ltd, SICAM and Suntech Geotextile Pvt Ltd are some of the leading Indian companies participating in the 2021 fair.

One of the key highlights of Techtextil India is the special showcase of German technology at an exclusive German pavilion, featuring some of the top technical textile manufacturers from the country, such as Autefa Solution Germany GmbH, DILO Systems GmbH, Emtec Electronic GmbH, Georg Sahm GmbH & Co, Karl Mayer Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Merz Maschinenfabrik GmbH and Oerlikon Barmag Zweigniederlassung der Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co.

Elaborating on Germany’s participation at the fair, Chavan said: “Techtexil India is a great platform for bringing the technical textile stakeholders together. Despite the pandemic related difficulties, I am happy to see Germany participating in this important fair and I am sure that they will find good business and collaborations between Indian entrepreneurs and German industries.”

Being a part of the first post-pandemic edition, Marja Einig, deputy consul general, German Consulate General Mumbai, shared: “Messe Frankfurt India has made it happen! This the first time after the pandemic that we are hosting a German pavillion in India. And there is a fantastic display of specialised machinery for various technical textile products which ranges from alternative energy, to masks, to textiles, to sports shoes. It is incredible what we can achieve with a well-equipped production line and that is one of the focal points of Techtextil India and for the German companies participating here.”

On the domestic front, the nodal agency for investment promotion and facilitation for the Government of Tamil Nadu – Guidance are showcasing their prowess in technical textiles along with some of the major industry players from the state, including Cyber Textiles India Pvt Ltd, Jayashree Spun Bond, Lenzing Ag India, Liester Technologies, Loyal Textile Mills Ltd, Milltex Engineers Pvt Ltd, Superfil Products Pvt Ltd, Uster Technologies (India) Pvt Ltd.

Referring to the potential of the domestic technical textile industry, Amit Agarwal, chairman, Indian Technical Textiles Association (ITTA) said: “We are at an inflection point where our connsumption, manufacturing and export potential is huge. The growth of technical textiles will happen as the per capita income increases and therefore, all the application areas of technical textiles in India have an equal potential to grow. I personally forsee that 10 to 15 per cent of compounded annual growth year-on-year is possible in India.”

Day two is set to host the next chapter of Techtextil India Digital Symposium allowing attendees to gain insight into major growth prospects and emerging opportunities in India. Aimed at ‘Transforming India’s Technical Textile Landscape through Innovations and Investments’, the virtual platform will feature a series of sessions on Foreign Direct Investment Opportunities and Policies, Investment opportunities in Tamil Nadu, Investments & Opportunities in South Carolina for Technical Textiles sector, PLI & New Investment Opportunities, Sustainable Technical Textiles and Global sustainable approach for Textiles with Antimicrobial Performance. Moreover, attendees and buyers who are unable to attend the physical show are able to witness product demonstrations virtually and engage with exhibitors via the virtual platform.

“Showcasing the potential of technical textiles through the new hybrid edition, the remaining two days of the fair will set a tone for strong business restart by delivering crucial learning, sourcing and business opportunities,” Messe Frankfurt India said.

ITTA vice chairman Avinash Misar, ITTA executive director Anup Rakshit, Park Nonwoven CEO & MD Robin Kapoor, Khosla Profil Pvt Ltd MD & chairman Pramod Khosla, and Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd executive director and board member Raj Manek were also present during today’s inauguration.