The National Institute of Design (NID) is set to traverse the path of innovation in research and design. NID has set up an 'Innovation Centre for Natural Fibre' at its Gandhinagar campus for this. Their focus would primarily be on banana, coir, bamboo, hemp which is termed as unconventional natural fibres.

Pradyumnasinh Jhala, research advisor at the centre at NID said that research and design have been on for conventional fibres such as cotton and wool. But there are many natural plants based and animal protein based fibres that are unconventional and need research and design. At the research chair and centre at NID, the idea is to find a synergy of design and technology for development of such natural fibres.

The design institute is keen to pool resources with textile firms like Arvind, RSWM and The Bombay Hemp Company (BOHECO) as well as global technological institutes and laboratories for research and innovation along with conversion into finished products from unconventional natural fibres such as banana, coir, bamboo and hemp, among others.

Collaborative efforts are also on with noted laboratories and technical institutes from Japan, New Zealand and Switzerland, to name a few.

According to Jhala, the initial project cost for running the centre is estimated at around Rs. 2 crore. He said that they are also collaborating and networking with several global laboratories and institutes. A consortium is also being tried with industry and R&D representatives. Moreover, diploma projects would also be given out for research work in natural fibres.

NID, in the interim, continues its work on research and innovation for creating finished products in terms of clothing and construction materials as well as technical textiles from the natural fibres.