01.20.11
The Indian government today launched a five-year national mission on technical textiles to boost the growth of the nascent nonwovens and specialty textiles sector. This plan includes a $45 million investment and a five year timeframe from 2011-2015, said Rita Menon, India's Textile Secretary at an event jointly organized by the Ministry of Textiles, India and the trade body, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi.
Two sub-missions are included in this mission. One focuses on the establishment of four new centers of excellence and the enhancement of research & development capabilities in India. The four centers planned are nonwovens, composites, indutech and sportech. Each center will be given a maximum of $5.45 million (Rupees. 24.5 crores).The other focuses on marketing efforts needed to boost both domestic consumption and export opportunities.
These funds are expected to be disbursed in time for the projects to begin as early as April 2011. A conference will be held January 25 for interested parties in Mumbai by the Office of Textile Commissioner, according to Seshadri Ramkumar, associate professor of nonwoven materials at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) at Texas Tech University.