Textile Industry Leaders Urge  Government to Allow MMF Yarn Imports Without BIS Certification

SURAT, GUJARAT : In a concerted plea, the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) and various textile user industry associations in India have called upon the Textile Advisory Group, chaired by Textile Secretary Rachna Shah, to permit the import of man-made fiber (MMF) yarn without BIS certification. This urgent request was made during a meeting held on May 13 in New Delhi, highlighting the critical need for specialized yarns to sustain innovation and global competitiveness in India’s textile industry.

During the Textile Advisory Group meeting, representatives from the SGCCI and other textile industry associations voiced a unanimous concern: the lack of sufficient quantities of certain MMF yarns in India is stifling innovation and competitiveness. Vice-president elect of SGCCI, Nikhil Madrasi, and former SGCCI president, Ashish Gujarati, were among the attendees advocating for policy changes.

Ashish Gujarati emphasized the importance of innovation in the textile sector. “The textile industry is very dynamic, and continuous innovation is essential for India to remain competitive globally. However, the current QCO order on MMF yarns and fibers hampers this innovation by restricting access to many specialty yarns not produced in India,” he said.

Nikhil Madrasi highlighted the specific challenges faced by the technical textiles segment in South Gujarat. “South Gujarat is becoming the hub of technical textiles in India. IDY yarn, crucial for technical textiles, is in short supply, especially those above 3000 denier. This shortage is impacting production,” he noted.

Industry Statistics and Projections:

The SGCCI presented compelling data to the Textile Advisory Group, underscoring the potential growth of the technical textiles market. “The global market for technical textiles is currently valued at $215 billion, with India’s share at about $19 billion. By 2030, this market is expected to grow to $360 billion, and India’s potential share could rise to $40 billion if we have access to global quality and priced MMF yarn,” Madrasi explained.

Ashish Gujarati also pointed out the growing luxury fashion market in India, which is largely dominated by international brands. “India’s luxury fashion market is rapidly expanding, yet only 12% of it is produced domestically. Access to a broader range of MMF yarns and fibers could boost India’s luxury fashion production to 50%,” he argued.

Future Projections and Government Policies:

The SGCCI stressed the need for policy adjustments to align with the Indian government’s Amritkal Vision, which aims for a significant increase in India’s export market share by 2047. “By 2030, the global textile export market is expected to be worth $2961 billion. If India’s share is targeted at $100 billion, our current global market share of 5% will drop to 3.37%. To achieve the government’s vision of a 10% market share by 2047, we must have access to world-class textile raw materials,” Madrasi asserted.

Ashish Gujarati and Nikhil Madrasi concluded with a call to action for the government. “To increase our export market share to 50% by 2047, the Indian government should introduce a special scheme for MMF yarns and fibers. Ensuring the availability of specialty and technical textile yarns is crucial for our industry’s future,” he said