Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh inaugurated the National Seminar on “New Age Fibres – Innovation, Research and the Road Ahead” in New Delhi on 19 May 2026. The seminar was organized by the Ministry of Textiles through the National Jute Board and focused on emerging sustainable fibres and their role in India’s textile ecosystem.
The event was attended by Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles, Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, along with senior officials, industry representatives, researchers, startups and academic institutions.
Addressing the seminar, Shri Giriraj Singh highlighted the role of new-age fibres in sustainability, environmental protection and employment generation. He stated that regular virtual meetings would be conducted with stakeholders to maintain engagement and monitor progress in the development of the fibre ecosystem.
The Minister stated that new-age fibres can support the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat while contributing to India’s sustainable development commitments. Shri Pabitra Margherita emphasized the importance of innovation, entrepreneurship and skill development in strengthening the fibre sector. Smt. Neelam Shami Rao highlighted the need to convert discussions and recommendations into policy measures.
The seminar focused on fibres including pineapple fibre, flax fibre, milkweed fibre, bamboo fibre, hemp fibre, nettle fibre, banana fibre, ramie fibre and kapok fibre. These fibres are being explored for their biodegradable and eco-friendly characteristics and their potential applications in textiles and value-added products.
The programme began with the inauguration of the “New Age Fibres Expo” by the Union Minister, followed by a walkthrough of exhibition stalls displaying fibre-based technologies and products. Shri Shashi Bhushan Singh, Secretary, National Jute Board, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of sustainable fibres in supporting farmers’ income and strengthening India’s position in eco-friendly textiles.
During the inaugural session, the Ministry also launched the New Age Fibres booklet and released reports prepared by three Task Forces on New Age Fibres. The reports are expected to support the structured development of the sector.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary (Fibre), Ministry of Textiles, discussed the increasing global demand for sustainable and biodegradable textile materials and the opportunities for India in this segment.
The seminar featured four thematic sessions covering policy frameworks, entrepreneurship, technological challenges and long-term strategy development.
The first session, “Foundational Framework: Building the NAF Blueprint,” was moderated by Mrs. Vrunda Manohar Desai, Textile Commissioner. Task Forces presented findings on fibres including flax, milkweed, hemp, bamboo, ramie, sisal, banana, pineapple and kapok, focusing on cultivation, fibre extraction technologies, supply chains and institutional coordination.
The second session, “The Entrepreneurial Edge: Real-World Models for NAF Growth,” moderated by Mrs. Padmini Singla, featured discussions from industry representatives and entrepreneurs on commercial applications, investment opportunities and market development for new-age fibres.
The third session, “Breaking the Barrier: Solving the Techno-Commercial Puzzle of NAF,” moderated by Dr. Gouranga Kar, Director, CRIJAF, addressed challenges related to processing technologies, machinery, logistics, quality consistency and research and development requirements.
The fourth session, “The 2030 Roadmap: A Strategic Plan for NAF Evolution,” moderated by Mrs. Amrit Raj, Jute Commissioner & DC Handicrafts, focused on policy support, export development, infrastructure creation, certifications and integration of sustainable fibres into India’s textile value chain.
According to the Ministry, recommendations and discussions from the seminar are expected to contribute towards the development of a comprehensive New Age Fibre policy framework aimed at supporting innovation, research, value chain development and global competitiveness in sustainable textiles.