As the global textile industry undergoes a significant transformation, Surat—India’s largest man-made fibre and synthetic textile hub—is being encouraged to reposition itself as a global center for technical and sustainable textiles.
According to Dr. Pankaj Gandhi, Director of the Man-Made Textiles Research Association (MANTRA), the future of the textile sector lies in high-performance, solution-oriented products rather than conventional commodity fabrics. Speaking on the evolving industry landscape, Dr. Gandhi said recent strategic moves by leading textile companies, including the consolidation of textile businesses under unified platforms, reflect a broader global shift toward value-added textile solutions.
“The textile industry is moving beyond fabric production. Customers today demand complete solutions that integrate performance, safety, durability, and sustainability,” Dr. Gandhi said.He identified three major trends driving the future of textiles worldwide: the rise of solution-based manufacturing, growing demand for inherently flame-retardant fibres over chemical treatments, and the rapid adoption of circular economy practices that transform textile waste into high-quality reusable materials.
According to industry experts, technical textiles are emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments globally, with applications across automotive, healthcare, infrastructure, defense, transportation, and industrial sectors. Categories such as ProTech, MobilTech, InduTech, and HomeTech are expected to generate significant growth opportunities for manufacturers capable of delivering specialized products.Dr. Gandhi emphasized that Surat’s traditional strengths in synthetic fabrics, sarees, and dress materials provide a strong foundation, but the industry must diversify to remain globally competitive. Shrinking margins in conventional textile segments are pushing manufacturers to explore higher-value products and advanced textile applications.
“With India’s automobile sector expanding rapidly, technical fabrics used in vehicle interiors and mobility applications represent a major opportunity. Similar growth prospects exist in hospital textiles, railway and metro projects, industrial filtration, and protective clothing,” he noted.To compete effectively in international markets, Dr. Gandhi also stressed the need for textile manufacturers to adopt globally recognized quality standards such as ISO, ASTM, and OEKO-TEX certifications.
“Performance rather than appearance will increasingly define market success in technical textiles. Global buyers are looking for certified, sustainable, and application-specific textile solutions,” he added.
MANTRA is actively supporting this transition by providing advanced testing facilities, research and development support, product development assistance, and skill enhancement programs tailored to the needs of modern textile manufacturers.
The institute believes that Surat possesses all the essential ingredients—manufacturing scale, entrepreneurial spirit, skilled workforce, and established supply chains—to become a leading international hub for technical textiles.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Gandhi described the current period as a “decade-defining opportunity” for Surat’s textile sector.
“Surat has the scale and capability to become a global leader in technical textiles. The next step is adopting a vision that moves beyond commodity production toward innovation, sustainability, and value-added manufacturing,” he said.
