Surat’s MANTRA Enters Global Packtech Quality Assurance Market

SURAT: Surat-based Man-Made Textiles Research Association (MANTRA) is expanding its international footprint, with companies from the UAE and Oman seeking its technical expertise for supplier verification, factory inspection, product testing and quality assurance of packaging products sourced from Gujarat.

The development signals growing international recognition of Surat and Gujarat as sourcing hubs for man-made textiles, polymers and packaging products, while opening a new technical services avenue for MANTRA in the global Packtech market.

The Middle East-based companies are sourcing products including PP woven sacks, BOPP laminated woven bags, non-woven bags and other plastic packaging materials from India. They are looking for a long-term technical partner capable of independently verifying suppliers and monitoring product quality.

The proposed engagement could cover manufacturing centres such as Surat, Sachin, Palsana, Kim, Vapi, Daman, Ahmedabad, Morbi and Rajkot.

MANTRA may undertake factory and supplier verification, audits, pre-production inspections, raw-material verification, during-production checks and final or pre-shipment inspections. The proposed scope also includes random sampling, container-loading supervision, photographic and video documentation, detailed inspection reports and sealed sample collection for independent laboratory testing.

For PP woven and BOPP laminated bags, overseas buyers have sought verification of dimensions, tolerances, bag weight, GSM, lamination and coating weight, fabric construction, tape and weaving quality, stitching, printing, colour and registration. Testing may also cover tensile and breaking strength, filler or ash content, quantity and packaging, load and drop performance and container-loading conditions.

One product currently being sourced is a laminated PP woven charcoal bag measuring around 50 × 80 cm, weighing approximately 53 grams and using about 65 GSM woven fabric for carrying 10 kg of charcoal.

The international companies have also sought clarity on tests that can be conducted at manufacturing units and those requiring laboratory facilities, besides MANTRA’s ability to arrange independent testing, sealed sample handling and local inspectors.

The companies are reportedly looking for regular procurement support rather than a one-time inspection arrangement and have sought commercial terms and details of inspectors’ qualifications and experience.

MANTRA, a research and technical organisation under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has established capabilities in scientific testing, R&D and technical evaluation of textile and allied materials. Its NABL-accredited laboratory facilities provide an independent basis for quality evaluation and conformity assessment.

The development could strengthen Gujarat’s role in global textile and packaging supply chains by connecting overseas buyers with Indian manufacturers through structured supplier verification, inspection, testing and quality documentation.