Sustainable cellulosic fibres and cluster partnerships support product development and value creation across India’s handloom sector
Strengthening Traditional Weaving Through Fibre Innovation
As India’s handloom sector responds to changing market requirements, Birla Cellulose is supporting handloom clusters in incorporating sustainable cellulosic fibres such as Livaeco™ Viscose, Livaeco™ Modal and Livaeco™ Lyocell into their product ranges.
The initiative enables weavers to develop fabrics that retain the artisanal character of handloom while offering properties including softness, drape and comfort. It also aims to strengthen domestic textile value chains and create additional opportunities for weaving communities.
Traditionally, Indian handloom weaving has relied largely on cotton and silk yarns. Fluctuations in their price and availability, along with changing consumer buying patterns, have increased the need for stable supplies of high-quality input materials.
Birla Cellulose is addressing this requirement by supporting the adoption of man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCF), including viscose, modal and lyocell. These fibres can be blended with traditional fibres or used as standalone materials to develop fabrics combining the characteristics of handloom with enhanced softness, drape, comfort and sustainability.
Partnership-Based Support for Handloom Clusters
The initiative extends beyond fibre adoption through a partnership-based approach focused on supporting weaving communities.
Birla Cellulose has undertaken yarn seeding programmes, provided technical assistance for dyeing and product development, facilitated product testing and established supply mechanisms for accessing small quantities of yarn. Additional interventions, including cone-to-hank conversion facilities, have also been introduced to simplify fibre and yarn adoption at the weaver level.
Assam was the first pilot hub for the initiative, providing a framework that has subsequently been extended to other parts of the country. The programme now covers Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, with organisations including ARTFED, KHAMIR, the Kutch Weavers Association and various state-supported handloom societies.
Product development has included Silk x Livaeco™ Modal Chanderi fabrics in Madhya Pradesh and Banarasi blends using Livaeco™ Modal and Livaeco™ Lyocell in Varanasi, among other regional applications.
Collaboration with SADHAC, Odisha
Further strengthening the initiative, Birla Cellulose has entered into a strategic collaboration with the State Agency for Development of Handloom Cluster (SADHAC), Odisha, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on developing innovative handloom fabrics using Livaeco™ Lyocell.
The partnership aims to develop premium handloom textiles by combining Lyocell fibre with traditional handloom yarns. The initiative is intended to support artisans in Odisha and beyond while retaining the authenticity and aesthetics of regional weaving traditions and introducing enhanced comfort, versatility and sustainability.
The collaboration is also designed to create opportunities in design, product development and market development for handloom clusters across Odisha.
The MoU was formalised in the presence of Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Government of Odisha.
Through the partnership, SADHAC and Birla Cellulose aim to promote environmentally responsible fabrics while supporting handloom products that combine cultural heritage with contemporary consumer requirements.
Birla Cellulose Highlights Opportunities for Small-Scale Enterprises
Reflecting on the initiative, Manmohan Singh, Chief Marketing Officer, Birla Cellulose, says:
“Our partnerships represent a sustainable & high growth opportunity for small scale enterprises. By combining traditional weaving excellence with fibre innovation, weavers are able to harness the innovate faster, diversify offerings & are able to cater to the changing consumer preferences with greater agility.”
Programme Expands Across Multiple States
The programme has expanded its engagement across several handloom clusters. More than 150 micro-meets and hub engagements have been conducted across Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
The initiative has added over 80 partners, trained approximately 7,000 weavers, and expanded its presence across multiple weaving districts and production centres.
Through these efforts, nearly 3,500 tonnes of fibre and yarn are being consumed annually within the handloom ecosystem.
Combining Handloom Heritage with Contemporary Requirements
For Birla Cellulose, the initiative forms part of its broader effort to support India’s handloom ecosystem by creating opportunities for artisans while introducing fibres aligned with evolving market expectations.
By connecting fibre innovation with traditional weaving practices, the programme is supporting product development and diversification across handloom clusters while maintaining regional craftsmanship and textile traditions.