Context:

In India, technical textile is a fast-growing sub-segment that finds its usage in an array of sectors.

Technical Textiles

• Technical textiles are defined as textile materials and products which are manufactured primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than aesthetic and decorative characteristics.
• These textiles are manufactured mainly from synthetic fibers and are usually nonwoven textile products.
• However, these can be woven or non-woven and combinations of both.
• This type of textile can be made up as a single or multiple-layer and can be produced as a composite or a coated and/or impregnated material.
• These can be made from any fiber yarn or filament of purely natural or synthetic origin or combination of the two types.

Applications of technical textiles

• Technical textile products are manufactured mainly using specialty fibers such as Nomex, Kevlar, Spandex, Glass, and Carbon, etc.
• These fibers exhibit enhanced functional properties like higher tenacity, excellent insulation, improved thermal resistance and chemical resistance, etc.
• Technical textiles are used in different forms in various industries like construction, transport, agriculture, medical, hygiene, and sporting.

Important Schemes and missions

• National Technical Textiles Mission
  • Nodal Agency: Ministry of Textiles
  • It aims to provide impetus to the technical textile sector and make India a global leader in this sector.

 

A dedicated fund for the development of technical textiles:

• • It aims to focus on research, development, and innovation in the field of technical textiles with an outlay of Rs 1,000 crores.
  • The fund will be dedicated to research and development at the fi bre level as well as application-based in geo, agro, medical, sports, and mobile textiles as well as the development of biodegradable technical textiles.

Human Resource Development:

• • The mission aims to provide training, education, and skill development to develop skilled human resources.
  • It aims to promote technical education in the field of technical textiles at higher engineering and technology institutions to provide better-skilled human resources in this sector.