The Indian Government has given the green light to an innovative scheme aimed at fostering innovation within the realm of technical textiles.
The Ministry of Textiles, in a recent announcement, unveiled the “Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles” (GREAT) program. Under this initiative, startups and individuals engaged in technical textiles can access financial aid of up to ₹50 lakh. The Grant, spanning a duration of 18 months, seeks to catalyze advancements in this critical sector.
Empowering Startups in the Technical Textiles Arena
GREAT emphasizes the pivotal role that startups play in advancing technical textiles. By offering financial support, the guidelines strive to bridge the gap between prototypes and market-ready technologies and products. The program targets various application areas of technical textiles, encompassing domains like agro-textiles, home textiles, medical textiles, and sports textiles. Additionally, it encourages the development of cutting-edge elements such as high-performance fibers, sustainable materials, and smart textiles integrated with technologies like AI, IoT, and 3D/4D printing.
Eligibility and Incentives
To be eligible for the GREAT grant, startups must not exceed five years of operation. Recognizing the significance of incubators in this ecosystem, the Ministry pledges an extra 10% of the total grant to incubators. Moreover, to ensure a strong commitment to project execution, incubatees are required to invest a minimum of 10% of the funding in two equal installments.
Catapulting Technical Textiles Through Innovation
The introduction of the GREAT startup guidelines is expected to galvanize the growth of India’s technical textiles startup landscape, particularly in niche segments like sustainable textiles, specialty fibers, and smart textiles. These guidelines align with the Government’s vision to foster innovation and transform India into a hub for technical textiles innovation.
Boosting Technical Textiles Infrastructure and Education
In parallel, the Government has sanctioned 26 institutions for upgrading their laboratory infrastructure, as well as providing training in the application domains of technical textiles. Additionally, 26 institutes have received approval to develop and implement technical textile courses, papers, and degree programs. With a total value of ₹151.02 crore, this initiative includes contributions from both public and private institutions.
Enhancing Quality Control and Regulation
The Ministry has also taken significant steps in enhancing the quality and regulation aspects of technical textiles. Two Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for 31 technical textile products, including Geotextiles and Protective textiles, have been notified. These orders are slated to take effect from October 7. Moreover, QCOs for 28 additional products, spanning agro-textiles, medical textiles, and more, are in the final stages of issuance, set to be released in September 2023.
To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the impact of these QCOs, the Ministry has engaged in proactive consultations with various stakeholders across industries.
In summary, these recent Government initiatives collectively aim to invigorate India’s technical textiles landscape, promoting Innovation, Infrastructure enhancement, and stringent quality standards.
