UC Berkeley Researchers Show Interest in Surat’s Textile Ecosystem

SURAT: Surat’s man-made textile ecosystem is attracting attention beyond India’s industrial and business circles, with researchers associated with the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), USA, approaching the Man-Made Textiles Research Association (MANTRA) for industry inputs on manufacturing innovation.

In an email dated September 21, 2026, UC Berkeley researcher Neel Pellegrino Shetty thanked MANTRA Director Dr Pankaj Gandhi for agreeing to support the research and proposed an interaction to understand operational challenges faced by manufacturing organisations.

The research team is particularly interested in areas including sales, sourcing, procurement, quotations, supplier discovery and customer discovery. It has also explored conducting a focused “Astra Test” with MANTRA or selected member companies.

The team has offered to explain the concept through a research note or live demonstration, potentially opening the way for an industry-focused pilot.

The proposed engagement comes as Surat continues to expand its role as a major manufacturing and trading centre. The city has a large man-made fibre and textile ecosystem spanning fibre, yarn, weaving, processing, printing, machinery, trading and allied industries.

For manufacturers, the growing complexity of global supply chains has increased the importance of faster sourcing, procurement and customer discovery. Rising raw-material costs, supply-chain disruptions, sustainability requirements and shorter delivery timelines are also pushing companies towards digital solutions.

According to Dr Pankaj Gandhi, MANTRA’s industry-focused research and its close interaction with textile manufacturers can provide practical insights into challenges faced on the factory floor.

The proposed research could examine whether technologies such as artificial intelligence, automated supplier discovery, digital procurement, quotation automation and data-driven decision-making can reduce manual processes and improve manufacturing efficiency.

MANTRA has been involved in research, testing, technology development, sustainability and advanced textiles, giving it access to a broad network of textile manufacturers.

The proposed collaboration could therefore connect Surat’s practical manufacturing experience with international academic research.

If the exploratory discussions progress, selected MANTRA member companies could potentially participate in an Astra Test, allowing researchers to study real-world manufacturing challenges.

The development also comes as Surat seeks to strengthen its identity beyond being a large textile production centre, with increasing emphasis on MMF manufacturing, technical textiles, technology and supply-chain innovation.