National Centre for Carbon Fibre Technology Development to strengthen advanced materials, technical textiles and indigenous manufacturing
India’s advanced materials and technical textiles ecosystem, The Bombay Textile Research Association (BTRA) and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish India’s first 120 TPA Carbon Fibre Technology Demonstration Plant at the PM MITRA Park in Amravati, Maharashtra.
The MoU was exchanged between Dr. P. Anbalagan, IAS, Principal Secretary (Industries, Investment & Services), Government of Maharashtra, and Dr. T. V. Sreekumar, Director, BTRA, in the presence of Dr. Sharad Kumar Saraf, Chairman, BTRA.
The project will establish a National Centre for Carbon Fibre Technology Development, designed to accelerate research, innovation and commercialisation of carbon fibre technologies in India.
The proposed centre will house a carbon fibre technology demonstration plant, an advanced research and development centre, a testing and characterisation laboratory, a technology validation and scale-up facility, a skill development and training centre, and a platform for industry support and technology transfer.
Bridging research and commercial manufacturing
The facility is expected to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale research and commercial production by enabling pilot-scale manufacturing, process validation, product development and technology transfer. The initiative aims to encourage wider adoption of indigenous carbon fibre technologies across Indian industries.
Carbon fibre is a high-performance material widely used in sectors including aerospace, defence, automotive, renewable energy, railways, infrastructure, hydrogen storage and sports equipment due to its lightweight and high-strength properties.
The project is expected to reduce India’s dependence on imported carbon fibre, strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities, save foreign exchange and support strategic industries requiring advanced composite materials.
Supporting innovation and skill development
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. T. V. Sreekumar, Director, BTRA, said the initiative would promote research, innovation, industry-academia collaboration, support startups and MSMEs, and help develop skilled manpower for India’s advanced composites sector.
The project aligns with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and PM MITRA Scheme initiatives. It also strengthens Maharashtra’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing, research and innovation while reinforcing BTRA’s role in textile and technical textile research, testing, consultancy and technology development.