Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
A company based in South India has developed mechanically processed cotton varieties suitable for use in absorbent technical textiles products. Globally, nonwovens sector is in the lookout for new fibers that are sustainable. To fulfill this need, South India based Jayalakshmi Enterprises has released two different types of processed cotton that can be used in nonwoven manufacturing processes such as needlepunching and hydroentangling to develop absorbent and other specialized technical textiles products. Jayalakshmi Group has been in cotton textiles business for over five decades. Recently, they have diversified to develop cotton based high-tech products such as oil sorbents.
“We are in the phase of diversification and so developing cotton products that can fulfill the needs of the growing nonwovens and technical textiles sector is natural growth process for us,” stated Mr. S. Velmurugan, the general manager of Aruppukottai based Jayalakshmi Enterprises. They have so far developed two types of cotton. One variety has soft silky touch and is the high-end variety from Jayalakshmi Enterprises.
Jayalakshmi Group has an annual turnover of about Rupees 150 crores and is into developing specialized cotton yarns and allied cotton products. Chennai-based Wellgro Tech trading group will be marketing the cottons for nonwovens and technical textile sectors.
“As we are into marketing adult diapers and incontinence products, collaborating with Jayalakshmi Group is a good growth strategy for us,” stated Venkatakrishnan, Founder/President of Wellgro Tech. Wellgro Tech will be looking towards domestic nonwovens wipe manufacturers and international players as its potential customers, said Nambi Srinivasan, marketing in-charge at Wellgro Tech.
Indian companies need to develop their nonwovens sector right from fibers to fully finished products that can be available at retail outlets. Such endeavors by conventional textile groups such as Jayalakshmi Group are much needed to advance the technical textiles sector in India.
