Export of Technical Textile Items from India

[YAGAY andSUN]

Technical textiles are materials and products manufactured primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than aesthetic characteristics. Technical textiles are functional fabrics having applications across various industries including automobiles, civil engineering and construction, agriculture, healthcare and industrial safety, among others.

They are value added textile products manufactured primarily for technical performance and multi-functional properties with less intent on aesthetics and design. The diverse range of technical textiles in India is grouped into 12 categories including Agrotech, Meditech, Packtech, Clothtech, Hometech, Geotech, Sportstech, Buildtech and Mobitech.

India, with its growing textile industry, has become an important player in the global export of technical textiles. These textiles serve various industries, including automotive, healthcare, agriculture, construction, defense, and more.

Meaning of Technical Textile Items

Technical textiles refer to textiles that are engineered to perform specific functions, often beyond the capabilities of traditional textiles. These include:

• Medical Textiles: Fabrics used in healthcare, such as bandages, surgical gowns, and wound dressings.
• Protective Textiles: Fabrics used in personal protective equipment (PPE), such as fire-resistant clothing and bulletproof vests.
• Automotive Textiles: Materials used in the automotive industry, like seat covers, airbags, and upholstery.
• Agricultural Textiles: Fabrics used in agriculture, including nets, covers, and geotextiles.
• Construction Textiles: Materials like geosynthetics used in infrastructure projects.
• Smart Textiles: Textiles integrated with electronic components, such as those used in wearable technology.

Technical Textiles products are divided into 12 broad categories

1. Agrotech:  Textiles used in Agriculture are termed as agro textiles. They are used for crop protection, fertilization. The essential properties required are strength, elongation, stiffness, and biodegradation, resistance to sunlight and resistance to toxic environment. All these properties help with the growth and harvesting of crops and other foodstuffs. There is a growing interest in using materials which gradually degrade (biodegradables).

2. Buildtech:  Textiles used in construction - concrete reinforcement, façade foundation systems, interior construction, insulations, proofing materials, air conditioning, noise prevention, visual protection, protection against the sun, building safety.

3. Clothtech:  Technical textiles for clothing applications especially in the finishing process where fabric is treated under pressure and high temperature the technical textile supports the fabric for smooth processing. This is usually the blend of polyester.

4. Geotech:  These are used in reinforcement of embankments or in constructional work. The fabrics in geo textiles are permeable fabrics and are used with soils having ability to separate, filter, protect or drain. The application areas include civil engineering, earth and road construction, dam engineering, soil sealing and in drainage systems.

5. Hometech:  Textiles used in a domestic environment – interior decoration and furniture, carpeting, protection against the sun, cushion materials, fireproofing, floor and wall coverings, textile reinforced structures/fittings.

6. Indutech       Textiles used directly in industrial processes or incorporated into industrial products. Textiles used for chemical and electrical applications and textiles related to mechanical engineering. Silk-screen printing, filtration, plasma screens, propulsion technology, lifting/conveying equipment, sound-proofing elements, melting processes, roller covers, grinding technology, insulations, seals & gaskets, fuel cell, Conveyor & Abrasive belts, Reinforcements for printed circuit boards etc.

7. Mobiltech:  These textiles are used in the manufacturing of automobiles and aircraft. Carbon composites are mostly used in the manufacture of airplane parts while carbon fibre is used for making higher end tyres. Nylon gives strength and its bursting strength being high is used as air bags in cars. High tensile polyester is used for making air balloons.

8. Meditech:  Medical and hygiene textiles used as babies’ diapers (nappies), wipes, and adult sanitary and incontinence products. Except for the last of these, all are relatively mature markets whose volume growth has peaked. Manufacturers and converters now seek to improve them further by adding value to increasingly sophisticated products.

9. Protech:  Protection against heat and radiation for fire fighter clothing, against molten metals for welders, for bullet proof jackets etc., all these things are obtained by usage of technical textiles with high performance fibres. In bullet proof jackets, special fibre aramid is used which have high tenacity, high thermal resistance, and low shrinkage. Glass fibre is also used in fireproof jackets due to its high strength, chemical and flame resistance.

10. Sportstech:  Sports textile is one of the branches of technical textile. Now a days sophisticated technology is used in technical textile to produce sportswear. Shoes, sports equipment, flying and sailing sports, climbing, angling, cycling, winter and summer sports, indoor sports wear are example of Sports textiles.

11. Oekotech: New applications for textiles in environmental protection applications – floor sealing, erosion protection, air cleaning, prevention of water pollution, water cleaning, waste treatment/recycling, depositing area construction, product extraction, domestic water sewerage plants are examples of Oekotech.

12. Packtech:  Packtech includes several flexible packing materials made of textile used for packing various goods for industrial, agricultural, consumer and other goods. It ranges from polymer-based bags used for industrial packing to jute-based sacks used for packaging food grains and packaging used for tea.

Items Considered as Technical Textile Items

Some common categories of technical textiles include:

1. Nonwoven Fabrics: Used in diapers, medical products, and filters.
2. Woven and Knitted Fabrics: Used for industrial, medical, and protective applications.
3. Composite Materials: Textiles that combine fibres with resins or polymers for enhanced strength, such as in automotive parts.
4. High-performance Fabrics: Used in specialized applications like aerospace or sportswear.

Government Recognition of Technical Textile Items

The Indian government recognizes the significance of the technical textile sector and has implemented various initiatives to promote its growth, both domestically and in exports. Key actions include:

• National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM): Launched in 2020, the NTTM aims to make India a global leader in technical textiles by enhancing research and development, increasing the manufacturing base, and facilitating export opportunities.
• Product Development and Testing: The government supports the development of advanced textile technologies through research institutions and grants.
• Incentive Schemes: The government provides financial assistance to boost innovation and production in the technical textiles sector.
• PLI Scheme for Textiles: In order to promote domestic production of Technical Textiles, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme was launched, in addition to MMF Fabrics and MMF Apparel with an overall outlay of INR 10,683 Crores.
• PM MITRA Scheme:  To boost the overall textile industry and value chain, especially MMF and Technical Textiles, Ministry of Textiles launched PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel Parks (MITRA) Scheme with an overall outlay of INR 4445 Crores over a period of 7 years upto 2027-28.

Government, identifies other 207 as technical textiles

life jackets, Medicinal bandages and tapes, cotton wool, tent fabrics, nylon ropes, painting canvas, glass fibres, life jackets and certain outer garments are among the 207 products that the government had

identified as technical textiles.

Export Promotion Council for Technical Textiles

The Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA) and other bodies like the Texprocil (Textile Export Promotion Council) help facilitate the growth of technical textiles through various export-oriented activities. These councils support the promotion of Indian technical textiles globally by:

• Organizing trade shows and exhibitions.
• Assisting with market research and identifying international business opportunities.
• Providing advice on regulatory requirements and market access.

Registration and NOC for Export of Technical Textiles

Before exporting technical textiles from India, certain regulatory requirements must be met:

1. Registration with DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade): Exporters of technical textiles must be registered under the DGFT to obtain an IEC (Importer Exporter Code). This is mandatory for engaging in international trade.
2. Product Certification: Depending on the target market, technical textiles may need to be certified to comply with specific standards (e.g., ISO, CE marking, or other country-specific certifications).
3. NOC (No Objection Certificate): In certain cases, particularly for textiles used in sensitive sectors (like defense), exporters may need a No Objection Certificate from the relevant authorities, such as the Ministry of Defence or Ministry of Commerce.
4. Customs Clearance: Exporters need to ensure their products comply with Indian Customs regulations. This includes submitting appropriate documentation and paying any required duties or taxes.

In summary, India's technical textile industry plays a crucial role in global markets, and the government is taking steps to foster innovation, market access, and competitiveness through various initiatives and export promotion councils. Proper registration and certification are key for exporters to successfully tap into international markets.