India’s nylon filament yarn sector grows at 6% in 2026

With a boost from the Union Budget 2026-27’s aggressive ‘Make in India’ blueprints, the Nylon Filament Yarn (NFY) sector in India is maintaining a 6-7 per cent growth path. This momentum is led by a shift towards technical textiles and high-performance apparel, segments that command significantly higher margins than traditional cotton.

Market leader Century Enka recently reported a 69 per cent rise in net profit for Q3 FY26, reaching Rs 23.7 crore, even as the broader textile landscape faced volume pressure. This resilience stems from the implementation of strict Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Quality Control Orders, which have acted as a vital buffer against low-priced imports from China and Taiwan. Furthermore, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 2.0 has incentivized a shift toward specialized outputs like nylon 6,6 for automotive airbags and defense-grade gear.

Despite the optimism, manufacturers face a dual challenge: volatile petrochemical raw material costs and a ‘wait-and-watch’ sentiment in domestic fabric buying. However, with the National Fiber Building initiative aiming to rebalance India's fiber mix, the industry is transitioning from a cotton-dependent supplier to a synthetic powerhouse, targeting a US$350 billion total textile market by 2030.

A Birla Group flagship company established in 1965, Century Enka is India’s largest manufacturer of Nylon Filament Yarn and Tyre Cord Fabric. Serving the apparel, automotive, and defense sectors, it operates high-capacity plants in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The company is currently expanding into polyester tire cords to target the EV segment.