Technical textiles are an important part of the textile industry and its potential is still largely untapped in India. To tap the potential of technical textiles, Ministry of textile, Government of India has launched four schemes, including a technology mission, for promotion and growth of technical textiles, Lok Sabha was informed today.

Technical textiles are materials manufactured primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than aesthetic and decorative purpose.

During Question Hour, Textiles Minister Santosh Gangwar said that three other projects are schemes for strengthening of database and standards for technical textiles, scheme for usage of agrotextiles in the north east region and restructured technology upgradation Fund scheme.

In addition, the ministry has approved setting up of integrated textiles parks under which it provides assistance for creation of infrastructure in the parks to the extent of 40 percent limited to Rs 40 crore.

Gangwar said that the ministry has set up eight Centres of Excellence (CoE) for indigenous development of prototypes, incubation centre.

Under the mini-mission of Technology Mission on Textiles, Fund support is being provided for contract research wherein the technical textiles manufacturing unit can approach any government.

Under this intervention, so far 5 contract research projects have been approved with a total cost of Rs 1.27 crore with government support of Rs 75.12 lakh.

With the increase in disposable income, the consumption of technical textiles is expected to increase. Based on past trends of growth and estimated end user segment growth, the Working Group on Technical Textiles for 12th Five Year Plan (FYP) projected the market size to reach INR 1,58,540 crore by 2016-17 at a year-on-year growth rate of 20% during the 12th Five Year Plan.