Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh expressed optimism on Friday that India will start producing carbon fibre, a material used in aerospace, civil engineering, and defence, by 2025-26. Currently, India relies entirely on imports from the US, France, Japan, and Germany for this niche product.
Singh spoke to reporters, stating, "The coming days belong to technical textiles in every sector... I am fully confident that in 2025-26 the niche carbon fibre product will also be with India."
He highlighted that the European Union's proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tax on carbon-intensive imports, is expected to be implemented in 2026, which could impact the current import-dependent model.
The minister also noted that since the Narendra Modi-led government took office, there has been a significant shift in the hygiene sector. "Earlier we used to import diapers. Thanks to PM Modi for bringing the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, which has created excitement in the industry," Singh said.
At a technical textiles event organised by FICCI, Singh outlined the government's commitment to advancing India's technical textiles sector.
He highlighted the launch of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) and the PLI Scheme for Man-Made Fibre (MMF) fabric, MMF apparel, and technical textiles. Under the NTTM, 156 research projects have been sanctioned, including those focused on carbon fibre development and support for startups.
Singh also praised the North India Textile Research Association (NITRA) for its innovation in developing fibres from milkweed, which could be used in cold-weather applications.
Regarding export targets, Singh expressed confidence that India will surpass the USD 10 billion target set for 2030, with Meditech and hygiene products expected to play a significant role. He also highlighted Agrotech as a key sector for generating employment and expanding everyday use.
The minister expressed confidence in the local industry's ability, along with government and stakeholder support, to develop high-performance fibres with applications across aerospace, automotive, and construction sectors.
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