Conference on “Sustainability in Technical Textiles: A Path Towards Greener Innovations”

The Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA), jointly with the Department of Textile Engineering, Panipat Institute of Engineering & Technology (PIET), organised the One Day Conference on “Sustainability in Technical Textiles: A Path Towards Greener Innovations” in Hybrid Mode on 4^th December 2024 at PIET, Panipat.

Panipat Institute of Engineering & Technology (PIET) is an esteemed autonomous institution in Haryana, established by the Vidyapeeth Education Trust and Located in the National Capital Region (NCR) PIET offers a wide array of Undergraduate, Post Graduate, Diploma programs on Textiles and various other engineering disciplines. It focusses on innovation and entrepreneurship is evident through its initiatives like the Startup and Incubation Centre and the Entrepreneur Development Cell. 

The Objective of the Conference was to create awareness of High-Performance fibres, Recycling,
Spinning, Weaving, and Chemical Processing, enhance knowledge of the Sustainability of Technical

Textiles and understand Standardisation & Testing. The conclave received an overwhelming response and was attended by more than 150 delegates from Senior Officials & Professionals from the Technical Textile Industry, Entrepreneurs and Textile Students online and physically.

The Chief Guest, Shri. Sanjay Bhatia, Former Member of Parliament from Karnal Constituency, Haryana inaugurated the Conference along with the Shri. Avinash Misar, Chairman, ITTA, Prof. (Dr.) Shakti Kumar, Director, PIET, Dr. Anup Rakshit, Executive Director, ITTA and Dr. S Dhamija, Professor & Head, Department of Textile Engineering, PIET.

Shri. Sanjay Bhatia, Former Member

of Parliament, Karnal Constituency

Four Technical Sessions and one Panel Discussion on the following topics were covered in detail during the conference –

1.  Technical Session-1: High Performance fibres

      Moderator: Dr. Anup Rakshit, ED, ITTA (Session 1 & 2)

1. Dr. Nandan Kumar, Managing Director, High Performance Textiles Pvt. Ltd. = “Introduction to High Performance Fibres”.
2. Ms. Vaishali Kamble, Asst. General Manager, Grasim Industries Ltd. = “SaFR Flame-Retardant Viscose: Enhancing Safety with Sustainability”.
3. Shri. G R Das, Business Head, Polyester Fibrefill & Non-woven, Reliance Corporate Park = “Speciality Polyester filling and Nonwoven fibres for Hometech & Technical Textiles”.
4. Shri. Sumit Banik, Senior Manager – New Business Development, Kaneka India Pvt. Ltd. (ONLINE) = “Importance and Applications of Modacrylic Fibres”.

• Technical Session-2: Recycling – Fabric to Fibre, Spinning, Weaving & Nonwoven

• Shri. Ayan Chakraborty, Sr. Vice President & Plant Head, Ginni Filaments Ltd. (ONLINE) = “Nonwoven Consumer Products & its Applications”.
• Shri. Parvinder Aadi, GATS, Panipat = “Pioneering Solutions for a Sustainable Textile Industry”.
• Shri. Raman Chhabra, President, Young Entrepreneurs Society, Panipat
• Dr. Rajkishore Nayak, RMIT, Vietnam (ONLINE) = “Bacterial Cellulose based Smart Textiles”.

• Technical Session-3: Chemical processing – Zero discharge & Ecofriendly Finishing Moderator: Shri. Manish Chhabra, Satyam Polyknits (Session 3 & 4)

• Dr. Swapneshu Baser, Deven Supercriticals Pvt. Ltd. (ONLINE) = “Water-Less Dyeing of all Textiles with Conventional Dyes using Supercritical Fluid”.
• Shri. Umasankar Mahapatra, Managing Director, Pulcra Chemicals India Pvt. Ltd. (ONLINE) = “Speciality Chemical Solutions for Nonwoven and other Technical Textiles”.
• Shri. Vikas Chachra, SOFOCOL, Panipat = “Carbon Foot Print – Sustainable Future”.

• Technical Session- 4: Standardisation, Testing & Quality Control orders (QCO’s)

• Dr. Neha Kapil, Principal Scientific Officer, NITRA (ONLINE) = “Testing Facilities for Protective and Automotive Textiles available at NITRA”.
• Shri. J. K. Gupta, Head (Textiles), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) = “Standardization & Certification”.

1. Panel Discussion on Sustainability in Technical Textiles

Moderator: Dr. Nandan Kumar, High Performance Textiles Pvt. Ltd.

Panelists:

1. Shri. Dheeraj Miglani, Rhythm Overseas/Creations
2. Shri. Nitesh Mittal, Brawntex Industries Pvt. Ltd.
3. Shri. Manish Chhabra, Satyam Polyknits
4. Representative of YES, Panipat
5. Shri. Aseem Pahwa, Panipat Exporters Association, Panipat

ITTA is planning to organised many such programs on technical textiles, especially with the Academic Institutions located in tier 2/3 cities all over India. Opening of ITTA- Student Chapters, certificate courses on various verticals of technical textiles for faculties and students, helping in R&D projects, connecting industry for internships, etc. are the top priority areas of ITTA.