Karur textile cluster to deepen focus on sustainability & circularity

Eminent speakers from the government and industry set the context for the workshop discussions. P Gopalakrishnan, president of Karur Textile Manufacturers Exporters Association (KTMEA), in his inaugural address, emphasised the need for sustainable growth, staying updated with the latest national and international developments, and showcasing the strength and potential of the Karur cluster.

M Prabhu, chairman of CII - Karur District, delivered an industry address reaffirming CII-Karur’s vision and commitment, and shared good practices from other sectors that could be adapted by the textile industry. R Kaliyappan, president of the Karur Handloom Export Cloth Manufacturers Association (KHEXMASS), highlighted the spirit of sustainability and the responsibility to leave a cleaner, greener planet for future generations.

M Palanivel Rajan, chief operating officer of Asian Fabricx Private Limited, shared information about the progressive practices at Asian Fabricx and also highlighted sustainable initiatives undertaken by the Karur cluster. S Periasamy, a senior textile expert and sustainability advisor to the Tiruppur Exporters Association, addressed the workshop on ‘Global Trends and the Relevance of Sustainability & Opportunities for SMEs’.

Key programmes were also discussed, with relevant information shared with industry participants. Dr. Prabhat Bhuddha Dev from CRB and Siddharth Lulla from Intellecap presented their initiatives and invited SMEs to actively participate. InTex India has initiated a project for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Karur cluster, which will provide hands-on support for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to at least 15 SMEs. The programme will also engage key stakeholders in developing and implementing a vision for a sustainable and circular textile cluster in Karur.

Intellecap, through its Circular Apparel Innovation Factory (CAIF) initiative, is implementing the programme ‘Catalyzing the Green Transition of India’s Textile & Apparel Value Chain’, with support from the European Union under its Switch Asia Initiative. This 42-month initiative focuses on reducing environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions across 250–400 SMEs in key clusters of India’s textile and apparel value chain.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)