UK-India textile machinery coalition launched to modernize manufacturing
The launch of the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition, in Mumbai marks a leap in bilateral trade, aimed at bridging the technology gap in India’s massive manufacturing landscape. Facilitated by the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) and the India ITME Society, the alliance gives Indian mill owners direct access to advanced British innovations in automation, digital monitoring, and energy-efficient processing. With nearly 53 per cent of Indian textile mills currently planning major machinery upgrades, this partnership arrives at a critical juncture as the industry targets a $350 billion market size by 2030.
The coalition rides on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement signed in July 2025, which effectively eliminated 8 per cent to 12 per cent duties on Indian textile exports. To fully capitalize on this duty-free access, Indian manufacturers are now prioritizing precision engineering and sustainable production. It is not just about introducing new hardware, but enabling smarter, strategic manufacturing, notes Jason Kent, CEO, BTMA. By integrating UK-made sensors and process optimization software, Indian spinning and weaving units are reducing waste and improving fabric consistency, essential for competing with high-tech hubs like Vietnam.
Despite the boost, the sector faces hurdles in capital deployment and technical skilling. To address this, the Indian government’s Integrated Program for the Textile Sector and the SME Growth Fund are offering necessary liquidity for MSMEs to adopt high-value British solutions. Case studies from recent installations in Coimbatore suggest digital monitoring can improve productivity by up to 15 per cent, though successful implementation requires the extensive skilling initiatives now being rolled out under Samarth 2.0. This coalition ensures that as India scales its PM MITRA mega parks, the machinery driving them meets the highest international sustainability standards.
The BTMA represents British manufacturers of high-performance textile machinery and accessories. Serving global markets with a focus on technical textiles and high-precision spinning, the association aims to double its engagement with Asian manufacturing hubs by 2027. Following record export growth in 2025, the BTMA remains a historical cornerstone of textile innovation since its founding in 1940.