Govt Clears 20 Strategic Research Projects Under National Technical Textiles Mission

The Union Ministry of Textiles on Tuesday (1 November) cleared 20 strategic research projects worth around Rs 74 crore in the areas of Agrotextiles , Speciality fibre, Smart textiles, Activewear textiles, Strategic application areas Protective gear and apparel Sports.

These strategic research projects fall under the Centre's flagship programme ‘National Technical Textiles Mission', the Textiles Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday (2 November).

The approved research projects include five project of specialty fibres, six of agro-textiles, two from smart textiles, two from protective gear and apparel, two from geotextile, one from activewear apparels, one from strategic application area and one from sports textiles.

The projects were cleared during a meeting chaired by Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal.

Leading Indian Institutes including IITs, Government Organizations, Research Organization and Eminent Industrialists, among others participated in the session which cleared projects strategic for the development of Indian economy and a step in the direction of Atmanirbhar Bharat, especially in the field of Geotech, Industrial and Protective, Agriculture and Infrastructure, the Textiles Ministry said.

While addressing the group of Scientists and technologists, Goyal said, "Industry and Academia linkages are essential for the growth of research and development in the application areas of Technical Textiles in India. Building convergence with Academicians, Scientists and Researchers is the need of the hour".

Goyal emphasised on the importance of contributions of technology and segment experts, scientists and academicians to India’s technical textiles future growth.

Despite the prominent usage of speciality fibres in India, indigenisation of the technology has still been a major challenge which needs collaborative interventions from both industry and academia, he further added. 

The minister further emphasised on robust indigenisation of machineries and equipments for the technical textile sector to establish sustained and strong foothold in the global landscape.