SOME SUGGESTIONS
MISSING LINKS
Why then the industry is not mushrooming? In order to find answers in a practical and meaningful way, I desperately looked in to social media for some help. To get an answer, I posted certain questions most recently in LinkedIn pages related to diapers and nonwovens Responses throw some light in to the reasons why Indian industry is struggling to break ice in the technical textiles sector. Results to questions such as what is the market potential for adult and baby diapers in India came from different parts of the worlds such as India, USA, United Arab Emirates and Sweden. All agreed that the market for diapers is really on the horizon. However, policies of the government, disposable income levels and lack of production and d marketing knowhow are clear barriers for the penetration of technical textiles in India.
SOME SUGGESTIONS TO GROW TECHNICAL TEXTILES INDUSTRY
As I have stated earlier, in order to get better handle on technical textiles sector in India, to formulate supportive policies as well as create an explosion in domestic usage, the industry has to be categorized in to three major divisions: 1) consumer goods; 2) institutional products and 3) government procurement products. With regard to consumer goods which are generally fast moving products, it is my opinion that the consumption would go on a high gear at the present situation with supportive import policies of the government for end products. This case is clearly evident with the import of baby and adult diapers by companies such as Wipro. Initial activities such as marketing and branding by FMCG companies will in the next few years, create a culture and need for hygiene and health care products such as diapers, feminine care products, hospital goods, etc. This will in turn necessitate the growth of domestic manufacturing of such products.
During that phase, Government of India should shift its policy by supporting the indigenous development of consumer products. However, the lack of raw materials such as adequate quality of fluff pulp, super absorbent polymers and other necessary accessories should be carefully looked in to towards the development of technical textiles sector. In these lines, the Government should also revisit the restrictions on the import of second hand machinery.
