Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
An international platform is needed to boost textile trade and research. Such an event is happening in India this October. Textile sector is A major foreign exchange earner in many countries such as India, and Bangladesh. United States, Brazil, and Australia export cotton supporting the economy in rural areas. Given the stagnant growth situation in textiles, efforts are needed to strategize the growth of this sector.
The landslide victory for the Labour Party in the United Kingdom in the parliamentary election on July 4, 2024, has revealed that the leaving of the single market system has played its part in the government’s changing, again emphasizing the need for global trade and pro-growth policies. In this current scenario, an international platform to connect textile manufacturing and exporting countries is being organized in Ahmedabad, India by Diagonal Consulting (India).
An important feature of this international event is the participation of global organizations joining hands as supporters to boost international linkages.
USA-based American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) is a supporting partner, which views India as an important textile market that provides ample opportunities for global collaboration. Cary, USA-based INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry is serving as a knowledge partner. India-based Indian Technical Textiles Association and Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association are partnering in the event highlighting the strength of collaboration to push the industry forward in areas such as advanced textiles.
Emphasizing the importance of international linkages and standards John Crocker, President of AATCC stated, “textile business has become truly global and today, raw materials may be produced in one country, dyed, and finished in another, cut, and sewn in yet another, and sold halfway around the world.” Executive Vice President Diana Wyman concurred “AATCC is committed to supporting the global textile community and truly excited to be a part of this wonderful event as a next step in growing engagement within the Indian textile industry.”
“INDA finds great value in developing and supporting international collaboration for the benefit of our members and the industry. We understand and value the global nature of nonwovens and the many industries that benefit from engineered material solutions” stated Tony Fragnito, President & CEO of INDA.
The conference provides opportunities for the global industry to discuss timely themes such as sustainability, advanced textiles, nonwovens, and standardization. Such topics are important for global industry as they can push the sector to the next level and create new opportunities boosting domestic consumption and export.
As a way of promoting research and innovation, the conference is sponsoring innovation awards for professionals in the industry and research sector.
Highlighting the importance of this international platform, Dr. P. R. Roy, Chairperson of Diagonal Consulting (India) stated, “We hope this event will be a transformative platform to harness the industry’s growth potential through collaborative partnerships, which is the need of the hour.”
The presentation from AATCC will focus on a timely topic, “Driving Sustainability and Innovation through Standards.” Matt O’Sickey of INDA will present the market information on nonwovens and opportunities for international linkages.
Given the global need to boost manufacturing, the stage is set in Ahmedabad during October 22 & 23 for providing a valuable platform for industry, researchers, and innovators with a mission to take the textiles and advanced textiles sector to the next level. Details of the global event are available at: www.intexcon.in
