Handloom sector needs tech upgrade: SIMA

The handloom sector in India requires a significant technological upgrade to remain competitive, opines S K Sundararaman, Chairman,Southern India Mills Association (SIMA). Speaking at the annual technology conference of the South India Textile Research Association (SITRA), Sundararaman emphasized the need for a government-backed scheme to modernize preparatory processes for hand weavers. He highlighted a SITRA study that demonstrated the potential to reduce dyed yarn costs by over 35 per cent through package dyeing, a more efficient method than traditional hank dyeing.

The SIMA chief urged the government to extend yarn subsidies to package dyed yarn, creating a win-win situation for both spinning mills and the handloom sector. He also advocated for a special scheme to promote package dyeing and sizing with zero liquid discharge facilities.

Sundararaman called for the Tamil Nadu textile industry to focus on value-added products, particularly technical textiles and high-value manmade textiles. He suggested that small and medium textile manufacturers should consolidate their operations, collaborate with reputed brands, and benchmark themselves against global leaders like Italy, Japan, and Taiwan.

SITRA, meanwhile, has been actively engaged in research, consultancy, and training activities. The organization has secured approval as a Medical Device Testing Laboratory from CDSCO for a range of medical textile products.