According to M Vallalar, commissioner of textiles, Tamil Nadu has the potential to become a centre for technology textiles. He discusses the state government’s efforts to advance the industry in an interview with TOI.
When asked what are the textile segments where Tamil Nadu has a potential for growth, he said, “Technical textiles are the future of the industry. Tamil Nadu, which is home to several leading educational institutions, has skilled manpower. There is a huge potential for mobiltech because Tamil Nadu is the Detroit of India. Our companies must have R&D arrangements with manufacturers of mobiltech products in other parts of the world to produce them in the state.”
Elaborating the steps the state government has taken to promote technical textiles, Vallalar said, “we have created a separate department for textiles. We are evolving an enriched textile policy and the focus will be on technical textiles. A mega textiles park spread over 1,500 acres is coming up in Virudhunagar district. There is scope for developing more technical textile units in the facility.”
He added: The government has also announced minitextile parks on a minimum of two acres. We want ancillary units for large technical textile units, stitching defence clothes and manufacturing components for sportech products, in these small parks. Technical textiles are based on research and development and we have to invest more in that. The need of the hour is branding the products.”
