TTT Media had the unique opportunity to engage in an insightful conversation with two of the country’s leading textile technologists—Dr. T. V. Sreekumar, Director of the Bombay Textile Research Association (BTRA), and Dr. Prasanta K. Panda, Assistant Director and Senior Scientist at BTRA. Both individuals have played pivotal roles in steering the organization to the forefront of textile research and development in India.

Over the past seven decades, BTRA has grown from its 1954 inception into a cornerstone institution for the Indian textile industry, balancing innovation with practical solutions. Under the leadership of visionary experts like Dr. Sreekumar—with more than three decades of experience across industry, academia, and cutting-edge research, and a record of distinguished accolades and global engagement—BTRA continues to address complex challenges and drive technological progress in textiles. Dr. Panda, known for his advanced work in surface modification and high-performance fibers, complements the organization’s ongoing evolution towards environmentally friendly and smart textile solutions.

Our discussion with Dr. Sreekumar and Dr. Panda illuminates the strategic vision and scientific rigor behind BTRA’s contributions, while offering valuable perspectives on future trends, sustainability, and the ever-expanding role of textiles in modern society.

1. BTRA has been involved in regular textiles since its inception. However, when did BTRA begin focusing on the evolving needs of the technical textiles industry, and what prompted this shift?

Growing use of nonwoven and geosynthetic materials in infrastructure (roads, erosion control), pharmaceuticals, agriculture, medical disposables, and filtration signaled a new era where textiles needed engineered functionality rather than just aesthetics.

With the conventional mill sector stagnating and demand rising for high-function fabrics, BTRA proactively transitioned into these value-added segments.

The Scheme for Growth & Development of Technical Textiles (SGDTT) launched in 2007–08, and later the Technology Mission on Technical Textiles (TMTT) around 2010–11, provided funding, support for centres of excellence, standardisation, and R&D. BTRA was designated as the Centre of Excellence for Geosynthetics under SGDTT, which catalysed much deeper engagement in the technical textile’s ecosystem on 2008.

2. What are some recent upgrades in BTRA’s laboratory infrastructure or services that you are most proud of?

The carbon-fibre precursor line establishes BTRA as a pioneering R&D hub in India’s high-performance fibre space. Tools like DMA/TMA bring cutting-edge analytical capability far beyond standard tensile or thermal testing. BTRA is also capable of doing Installation damage of testing of geosynthetics, a Pullout testing facility for geosynthetics, high-performance fiber testing, and product development using a melt spinning and electrospinning pilot-scale facility. The BTRA also has a soil and asphalt testing laboratory with multiple instruments.

3. Can you elaborate on key industry partnerships that have shaped BTRA’s research and development in technical textiles?

BTRA’s strategic partnerships span across government (MOT, BRNS, CSIR), industry (STRATA India Pvt Ltd., Tech Fab India Pvt. Ltd, and Macca Ferrie), and defense (LSRB, DEBEL), making it a key player in fostering innovation in technical textiles. These collaborations have helped BTRA evolve from traditional textile R&D to cutting-edge work in smart fabrics, sustainable materials, and performance textiles.

4. BTRA is recognized as the Centre of Excellence for Geotech. What led to this designation, and what responsibilities does it bring?

BTRA had already built a strong reputation in testing, R&D, consultancy, and pilot plant operations in the field of technical textiles, including geotextiles and related geosynthetics.  BTRA as COE for geosynthetics executes different responsibilities.

1. Promote the use of geosynthetic products across civil and geotechnical engineering applications in India, including organizing workshops, quality training programs, and facilitating industry awareness
2. Provide reliable, accredited testing, validation, R&D services, and certification of geosynthetic products that are accessible domestically with global-level quality. 
3. Offer knowledge transfer, assisted sample development, pilot-plant support and consultancy to entrepreneurs and domestic manufacturers aiming to develop geosynthetic products indigenously
4. Design and deliver training courses — for industry professionals, students, and entrepreneurs — on testing methods, standards, lab practices, and geosynthetic product usage in infrastructure projects

5. How does BTRA balance the indigenous development of geosynthetics with adopting and applying international standards and test methods?

BTRA adopts international standards such as ASTM, ISO, and EN as benchmarks, and suitably adapts them to Indian environmental and infrastructural conditions (e.g., climate variations, soil characteristics, and prevailing construction practices). This approach ensures that geosynthetic products developed within the country demonstrate reliable and consistent performance under real‐world Indian conditions.

To support this, BTRA is equipped with state-of-the-art testing facilities that adhere to testing methodologies prescribed under ASTM, ISO, and BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). Compliance with these established protocols not only ensures safety and performance but also enhances the credibility, quality, and export potential of Indian geosynthetic products in international markets.

BTRA also plays an active role in the development and revision of national standards through its participation in BIS technical committees. By contributing its expertise to the formulation of Indian Standards (IS codes), BTRA facilitates closer alignment between indigenous innovations and globally accepted practices. This cohesive participation in both international and national standardisation platforms effectively bridges the gap between local R&D and worldwide industry requirements.

6. BTRA conducts a wide range of tests on woven and nonwoven geotextiles using globally recognized standards. What new areas in geotextile testing or product development do you see as priorities for the coming years?

BTRA conducts an extensive range of tests on woven and nonwoven geotextiles in accordance with recognized Indian standards to evaluate their mechanical, hydraulic, and durability properties. These tests ensure that the products meet the required performance parameters for various civil engineering applications and are suitable for field use under Indian conditions.

The following test parameters are likely to become priority areas for geosynthetics in the coming years:

1. Long-Term Durability & Performance Testing 

Creep behaviour under sustained loading.

2. Microplastics Shedding

Quantifying fiber shedding and environmental release of microplastics during geotextile     

degradation or abrasion.

3. Geotextile-Soil Interaction

     a) Interface shear strength testing under varying moisture conditions.

     b) Testing for behavior under seismic or dynamic loading

4. Performance Under Climate Extremes

Testing for thermal aging, freeze-thaw cycles, and extreme wet-dry cycles due to the climate   

change.

7. How does BTRA support civil engineering projects with geotextiles testing, and what applications do you see as the most promising?

Depending on the requirements of civil engineering projects, BTRA offers a comprehensive range of geosynthetic testing services in accordance with Indian standards (BIS, MoRTH, and IRC) as well as international standards (ASTM, ISO, and EN). These tests are critical in evaluating the suitability, safety, and long-term performance of geotextiles used in infrastructure applications. 

Promising applications include:

1. Transportation Infrastructure: Geotextiles are used to reinforce weak subgrade soils, improve drainage, prevent rutting, and extend pavement life. They are particularly beneficial in high-traffic motorway and rail corridors.
2. Hydraulic and Environmental Applications: Combined geotextile–geomembrane composites serve as liners in canal systems, reservoirs, landfills, pond sealing, and tunnel waterproofing, providing long-term containment and protection.

8. Could you outline the significance of the GAI-LAP and ISO 17025 accreditations for your laboratories in the geosynthetic domain?

When a lab holds both GAI-LAP and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditations, it provides a dual assurance:

• Technical expertise specific to geosynthetics (GAI-LAP)
• System-wide quality and reliability (ISO/IEC 17025)

This dual accreditation makes the lab highly credible, competitive, and trustworthy, ensuring robust testing and data integrity that underpins design, specification, and regulatory decisions in geotechnical and civil engineering projects and is recognized globally within the geosynthetics industry as a mark of technical competence and reliability in performing standardized geosynthetic tests.

9. What are the current trends and emerging challenges in the field of geotextiles, especially in the Indian context?

In India, geotextiles are finding increasing applications in highways, metro and rail projects, riverbank and coastal protection, erosion control, and rural road development. The market is steadily shifting towards engineered nonwovens, geocomposites, paving interlayers, and geotextile tubes and bags, while natural fibers such as jute and coir are being encouraged for bio-engineering and short-life applications.

On the technology front, advancements in nonwoven geotextile manufacturing—such as needle punching, spun bonding, thermal bonding, UV-resistant coatings, and nanotechnology-based surface treatments—have greatly enhanced product consistency, tensile strength, filtration efficiency, and chemical resistance. These improvements make geotextiles more adaptable to India’s varied soil conditions and challenging climatic environments.

There is also a rising emphasis on natural and biodegradable alternatives, especially jute- and coir-based geotextiles, which are gaining traction in rural roads, riverbank stabilization, flood control, and eco-restoration projects. Government policies and environmental regulations are increasingly supporting these materials to promote sustainable, low-carbon infrastructure.

Emerging Challenges:

1. Awareness and Skill Gaps: Limited knowledge among contractors, engineers, and government agencies regarding the benefits, specifications, and installation techniques of geotextiles continues to restrict large-scale adoption, particularly in rural and small-scale projects.
2. Installation-Related Damage: Mechanical tears, UV exposure during storage, and thermal stresses during installation often reduce product performance. The lack of adequate training and the absence of standardized on-site testing protocols further aggravate these issues.
3. Durability of Biodegradable Options: Although eco-friendly geotextiles are being promoted, their durability under high-moisture, saline, or pest-prone conditions remains a concern. Striking a balance between sustainability and long-term performance is still an unresolved challenge.

10. Can you share insights on BTRA’s initiatives for knowledge dissemination and capacity building in geotextiles among entrepreneurs and industry professionals?

ANS: For the knowledge dissemination, BTRA runs short-term training modules and refresher courses, to regularly educate and upskill: Entrepreneurs, marketing/commercial personnel, industry executives, Scientists and technicians, Students seeking industry-oriented exposure. Courses offered include practical demonstrations, troubleshooting, and the use of pilot plants and textile instrumentation.

11. Looking ahead, what is your vision for BTRA’s role in driving innovation and sustainability in geotextiles and the broader technical textiles sector?

BTRA’s vision will be 

1. To push the frontier in biodegradable geotextiles (e.g., jute, coir composites), nano-enabled fibers, and smart geotextiles for real-time monitoring of soil stability, drainage performance, or structural integrity.
2. To provide geotextile solutions for Indian contexts such as flood-prone zones, Hilly terrains, or coastal erosion through collaboration with civil engineers and infrastructure agencies.
3. Development of high-performance fiber spinning technology for technical textile applications.

12. BTRA has been working on the development of Carbon & other high-performance fibre/ yarns under the NTTM process – please highlight the current status of such developments and when these products will be commercially available to the TT industry?

Under the National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM), BTRA has developed two types of PAN-based precursor fibres for carbon fibre production:

1. Conventional PAN precursor, delivering tensile strength up to ~720 MPa.
2. PAN/CNT (carbon-nanotube reinforced) precursor, with higher precursor strength, lower shrinkage, and improved graphitic structure after stabilization—which yields oxidized PAN (PANOX) with strength around ~2.2 gpd versus ~1.6 gpd for standard PAN-based PANOX

Precursor technology is ready for commercialisation, but a carbonisation pilot scale trial is under progress to establish the complete technology. 

3. Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment for Enhancing the Conducting Properties of Textiles Doped with Intrinsically Conductive Polymers.