'Scope for spread in nonwoven textiles segment'

There is a tremendous scope for expansion in the nonwovens segment of the textiles industry.

Over the last few years, nonwovens has been one of the fastest growing segments of the global textiles industry. However, in India, despite great demand for nonwovens, the sector has largely remained untouched.

Only one per cent of the total demand for such material is met from local sources, said Pramod Chaudhary, director of Surat-based Pratibha Fabrics.

"India is the second largest textile economy in the world after China, but its contribution in the nonwoven textiles market is negligible. The market for nonwovens in India is estimated to be worth Rs 6000 crore, but the actual production of such textiles within the country is just around one per cent of this," Chaudhary added.

Nonwoven textiles are used for preparing fireproof clothing, shoe components, interlining for garments, surgical pads, medical clothing, diapers, tampons etc. These are also used for preparing building & construction products.

"The nonwovens sector has recorded worldwide growth of 7 to 8 per cent in recent years. In Asia, the sector has grown by 10.7 per cent, while in Latin America, it has recorded a 8.5 per cent growth. The sector has grown at 15 per cent in the Middle East," Chaudhary informed.

"Keeping in mind the large market, it is obvious that the nonwovens sector has a huge scope in India, especially in the quota-free regime. Studies have revealed that the sector will witness the strongest growth in Asia in the coming years. Unfortunately, the Indian textile industry has chosen to neglect the sector and has lost a major growth avenue," he rued.

Mahendra Kajiwala, chairman, South Gujarat Council, CII, echoed Chaudhary's views. "There is a real good scope in the nonwoven textiles sector, but it has failed to catch the imagination of the domestic textile industry. This is mainly because technology used is very different from that in the traditional powerloom industry," Kajiwala said.

"Nonwoven textiles is a new concept as far as Surat is concerned. Only a beginning has to be made, and lot of people will jump into it. Surat will emerge as a major centre of nonwoven textiles in the years to come," he added.

Chaudhary also predicted tough times ahead for Surat's textile industry in the quota free regime.

"The local saree & dress material market of Surat will remain mostly unaffected in the post-quota period, but the garment industry will be hit. The synthetic industry of Surat is also not ready to meet the global competition, and will record negative growth," he said.