The ministry of textiles, Government of India, is inviting research proposals for funding for design, development and manufacturing of machinery, tools, equipment, and testing instruments under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). The Indian government aims to position the country as the global leader in technical textiles manufacturing.

As on date high-tech machinery, equipment, plants, special tools and accessories are being largely imported into India. Therefore, in order to meet the diverse needs of textile industry and to make India self-reliant and Atmanirbhar, it is essential to go for indigenisation by tapping the local skill in design, engineering, fabrication and prototyping. Hence, NTTM under Component-I (Research, Innovation and Development) envisages indigenous manufacturing of machinery, equipment, tools and testing instruments for technical textiles on ‘Make in India’ concept.

The ministry is inviting novel proposals from companies engaged in manufacturing of any machinery (preferably textile machinery), textile/garment value chain manufacturers, research organisations, and academic institutions (both public funded and private).

The detailed general guidelines are available on the official website of the NTTM, ministry of textiles said in a statement.

“Indigenous development of state-of-the-art technical textile machinery and equipment would support and enhance the manufacturing capabilities of high-end technological products, and thus would play an instrumental role in driving India’s Technology Readiness Level in technical textiles,” the statement said.

One of the key initiatives of the ministry under NTTM is to support development of high-end machinery, equipment, tools, and testing instruments for technical textiles in India and establish an indigenous platform for domestic design, development, and manufacturing. The initiative is launched as a part of ‘Make in India’ programme to promote technological independence and support innovation in the production of machinery, equipment, tools, and testing instruments for Indian technical textiles sector.

In order to develop indigenous R&D capabilities, improve the cost of technical textile production, move toward self-sufficiency and increase India’s exports, the ministry intends to collaborate with recognised R&D leaders, machinery manufacturers and industry players in technical textiles.