India charts MMF growth path at CITI's 3rd Man-Made Fibre Conclave

The Union Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita was chief guest at the programme which brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and institutional partners to chart a collaborative roadmap for India’s MMF sector.

The programme saw speakers highlight the need for making India MMF ready in terms of required capacities and infrastructure, coupled with a right mix of trade policies in line with competing countries. The speakers pointed out that product development and innovation should lead the way with areas like Meditech, automotive applications etc being new emerging segments which could drive the growth of the Indian MMF industry, the CITI said in a press release.

Across the various sessions, panellists stressed on an ecosystem approach linking fibre producers, spinners, weavers, garment makers, brands and exporters to deliver consistent quality, speed, and innovation. It was highlighted that tackling the issue of microplastics, investing in textile-to-textile recycling, and responsible production was the way to go on the compliances front.

Speakers felt that leveraging technology, addressing structural challenges like inverted duty structures, quality control orders (QCOs) etc, and investing in Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and on R&D could catalyse industry growth. They also spoke on the need to strengthen weaker links such as processing and stressed on the necessity for states to offer conducive policy frameworks.

In his address, Margherita highlighted the global shift in demand towards man-made fibre. The minister asserted that MMF arena will have a pivotal role to play in India achieving textile and apparel exports worth $100 billion by 2030. Highlighting the various steps being taken by the government for India to further strengthen its position in the global textile arena, the Minister of State for Textiles said that the establishment of the PM-MITRA parks and the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme would act as gamechangers for the Indian textile sector.

The trade agreements already concluded and the ones on the verge of being so would bring more good news for India’s textile domain, he added.

In his speech, CITI chairman Rakesh Mehra said that India can emerge as a hub for innovation-driven, sustainable, and value-added man-made fibre products. Mehra pointed out that although India had impressive strength in the upstream arena, the nation’s downstream presence in MMF-based exports remains limited.

Former CITI chairman T Rajkumar said that India must rapidly modernise its fibre mix, upgrade manufacturing capabilities, and adopt a market-responsive approach. India also needs to align its industry policies with that of its competitors, he added.

Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) vice-chairman and Poppys Group chairman Dr. A Sakthivel also reiterated the need for establishing a robust ecosystem for the MMF segment in India. CITI deputy chairman Ashwin Chandran spoke on the need for holistic development of the Indian textile sector.

The Southern Mills Association (SIMA) chairman and Shiva Texyarn managing director Dr. S K Sundararaman said that man-made fibres are here to stay. He added that India must aim to move up the value chain in the MMF segment.

ITMA marketing communications director Daphne Poon stressed on the necessity for leveraging technology in a bigger way.

A key highlight of the programme was the release of the Knowledge Paper titled ‘From Potential to Power: Aligning India with Global MMF Shifts’, which presents a comprehensive overview of the man-made fibre arena. The Knowledge Paper was released by Margherita, the release said.

The study highlights the white spaces in the global MMF economy where India can build first-mover advantage or regional dominance.

The Knowledge Paper points out that one such white space lies in affordable synthetic fashion for the Global South. As middle-income populations grow across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, there is rising demand for performance-driven, climate-adapted, and cost-sensitive apparel. Yet, most global MMF suppliers are geared toward premium western brands. India, with its experience in price-sensitive domestic markets and broad fibre access, is uniquely positioned to develop and export to these emerging demand hubs. This could include everything from lightweight synthetic sarees and hijabs, wrinkle-free uniforms, weather-resistant workwear etc.

As per the report, another emerging opportunity for India lies in building a digitally traceable, textile-to-textile recycled polyester ecosystem. While mechanical recycling of PET bottles is widespread, the next frontier in circularity is the ability to reclaim and regenerate pre- and post-consumer textile waste. Globally, very few countries possess both the textile volume and industrial ecosystem required to close this loop at scale. India, with its vast garmenting base, growing textile waste streams, and processing depth, is well-positioned to lead this transformation, the Knowledge Paper points out.

The study, moreover, underlines the need to prioritise the expansion and modernisation of India’s downstream MMF capabilities, which remain underdeveloped relative to its fibre production. While India has established a strong base in polyester staple fibre and filament yarn manufacturing, its conversion capacity into value-added fabrics and garments is limited. Strategic investment is required to expand its capabilities across MMF fabric processing and apparel manufacturing. Additionally, there is a need to develop vertically integrated MMF apparel clusters equipped with common infrastructure, including dormitories, R&D centres, compliant processing facilities, etc.

Closely linked to this is the need to build MMF apparel manufacturing on a scale, the report states. Compared to global leaders like China and Vietnam, India lacks the synthetic-focused garmenting units that can serve volume orders with global quality standards. Infrastructure-led schemes such as PM MITRA Parks must prioritise plug-and-play facilities for MMF apparel, coupled with incentive structures to attract large domestic and international investments in synthetic garment production. Focused machinery upgrades, automation support, and labour upskilling will be crucial to build manufacturing efficiency in these hubs, the study suggests.

Equally vital is the need to foster a strong culture of innovation and product development in MMFs. Global leaders have differentiated themselves through performance materials, design innovations, and functional textiles tailored to niche applications. India must replicate this approach by enabling product development cells within manufacturing units and facilitating partnerships between industry, academia, and global innovation institutes. Focused R&D investment is needed in areas like new material blends, antimicrobial finishes, recycled polyester applications, moisture-wicking textiles, and biodegradable synthetics.

To ensure consistency, compliance, and buyer confidence, SOP-driven manufacturing must become the norm across India’s MMF clusters. Establishing and adhering to uniform Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will help manufacturers meet stringent global standards on quality, delivery timelines, and traceability. These SOPs should be institutionalised through industry associations and linked with export certifications. Furthermore, structured skill exchange programmes with leading textile nations, such as Taiwan, South Korea, and Vietnam can enhance technical capabilities, foster innovation transfer, and improve ecosystem efficiency.

Additionally, policies must support raw material security, ensuring that quality inputs are available at competitive prices. India must position itself globally as a reliable MMF sourcing hub. This involves pursuing FTAs that support synthetic exports, launching ‘MMF from India’ branding campaigns, and actively courting leading international buyers, the Knowledge Paper points out.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KD)