Hundreds of weaving units in Salem and Namakkal district which did not have a single shuttle-less loom till a year ago, have at present more than 1,500 shuttle-less looms as they are fast changing over from ordinary power-loom to shuttle-less loom manufacturing process.
Steep decline in demand for polyester saris have been instrumental behind the changeover to up grade to woven fabric, said S.R. Venugopal, President, Salem Exporters Association.
Increased demand for dyed yarn has encouraged weavers to change over from sari manufacturing to woven fabric.
Dyed yarn woven fabric export helps Salem to earn around Rs. 3,000 crore a year, constituting around 40 per cent of country's total dyed yarn woven fabric.
Revenue of Rs. 9,000 crores a year can be earned by making apparels out of fabrics, experts opine.
The weavers in Jalakandapuram, Salem and Rasipuram took the initiative to upgrade under Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS).
The weaving units imported old shuttle-less looms for around Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs from European countries, and new looms from China.
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