German Firm Brings Carbon Textile Concrete Technology to Surat

SURAT: Surat’s textile industry is looking beyond garments and conventional fabrics, with a Germany-based company introducing a new construction technology that could bring carbon-fibre textile reinforcement into concrete structures across South Gujarat.

Hitexbau, Germany, organised a special awareness seminar at Mantra, a research institute under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, on September 3 to introduce industrialists, civil engineers, architects, builders and technical experts to the emerging technology.

Representing Hitexbau, Chiranjivit Desai explained the working and potential applications of textile-reinforced concrete, particularly the use of high-strength carbon-fibre textiles as an alternative to conventional steel reinforcement.

The technology can potentially enable the construction of lighter, thinner and durable structures, while reducing corrosion-related problems associated with steel reinforcement. It could also contribute to more sustainable construction by reducing structural weight and material consumption.

“Carbon-fibre-based textile reinforcement opens new possibilities for developing lightweight, strong and durable structures with significantly reduced thickness,” Desai said while explaining the technology to participants.

The initiative builds on Mantra’s participation in Bharat Tex 2026 in New Delhi, where the institute showcased carbon-fibre textile-reinforced materials for civil engineering applications. The technology generated considerable interest among visitors and highlighted the expanding role of technical textiles beyond traditional applications.

During the Surat seminar, participants were briefed on the principles of textile-reinforced concrete, carbon fibre’s high strength and its potential advantages over steel reinforcement, particularly its resistance to corrosion.

A large number of industry representatives, engineers, architects and technical professionals attended the seminar, creating a platform for interaction between the textile and civil engineering sectors.

Mantra has also submitted a detailed proposal to the Ministry of Textiles seeking approval to establish a specialised South Gujarat unit for research, development, production and industrial applications of carbon textile reinforcement technology. The Ministry’s response is awaited.

Mantra Scientist and Director Dr Pankaj Gandhi is leading efforts to expand technical textiles into new industrial and engineering applications.

The proposed unit, if approved, could strengthen research and manufacturing capabilities in South Gujarat and encourage technology-driven collaboration between industry and scientific institutions.

The initiative represents a convergence of textiles, science, civil engineering and innovation, potentially positioning Surat as a centre for next-generation technical textile applications in sustainable construction.