India’s Technical Textile Sector: Strategic Growth Outlook

Growth in this sector is being driven by increasing domestic demand across industries such as automotive, construction, agriculture, defense, and healthcare. Segments like Packtech, Mobiltech, and Indutech continue to anchor market activity, while Meditech and Geotech are gaining momentum due to infrastructure expansion and public health investments. Over the next five years, the market is expected to grow at a 15–20% CAGR, far surpassing global averages and indicating a long-term shift in both capacity and capability.

What sets India apart is not just demand-side drivers, but the regulatory and structural enablers that are actively reshaping the sector. In 2023, the government introduced Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for 31 high-priority technical textile products. These mandates require BIS certification for both domestic and imported items, effectively eliminating substandard imports and elevating quality benchmarks across the board. For industry players, this signals a more stable and credible environment, both for local distribution and export.

Export performance offers a clear reflection of this evolution. From 2016–17 to 2021–22, India’s technical textile exports recorded a ~15% CAGR, reaching 2.7 bln EUR. Leading export categories include Packtech and Indutech, supported by a growing number of bilateral and regional trade agreements. Recent pacts with Australia and the UAE, alongside ongoing negotiations with the EU and UK, provide improved market access and further boost India’s position as a reliable global supplier.

India’s ecosystem is also an asset. The country benefits from abundant raw material availability, a skilled and cost-effective workforce, and increasing investments in R&D and specialty fibers. This vertically integrated structure enables manufacturers to respond with agility to global supply chain shifts and client-specific needs. The pandemic underscored this strength: India rapidly became the world’s second-largest PPE producer within months—an example of both industrial resilience and manufacturing scale.

That said, certain challenges persist. Advanced machinery is still largely imported, local production of high-performance fibers remains limited, and supply chains—particularly at the specialty end—are fragmented. However, government-backed initiatives such as PM MITRA parks, enhanced testing infrastructure, and targeted skilling programs are addressing these friction points with a long-term view.

Looking forward, the vision for 2047 integrates sustainability, circular manufacturing, and smart material technologies into the technical textile value chain. Growth will increasingly come from strategic sectors such as defense, renewable energy, infrastructure, and public health, offering high-value applications and greater scope for innovative partnerships.

In summary, India’s technical textile sector presents a compelling case for strategic engagement. With strong policy direction, improving quality standards, growing global relevance, and a proven capacity to scale, the sector is evolving from a cost-driven market to one defined by capability and innovation.

Euro Asia International Consulting supports global firms in capturing this opportunity—offering deep market intelligence, regulatory navigation, and tailored entry strategies to unlock growth in one of the world’s most promising technical textile landscapes. Ketan Jadhav and Dhananjay Mahale are available for further information and tailored guidance.