The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) was launched in 2020 by the to promote the research, production, and adoption of technical textiles in India. The mission is being implemented for the period 2020–21 to 2025–26 with a total outlay of ₹1,480 crore.
Technical textiles are emerging as a strategic sector due to their applications in infrastructure, defence, healthcare, agriculture, mobility, and environmental protection.
Objectives of the Mission
The mission aims to position India as a global leader in technical textiles by strengthening the domestic ecosystem and reducing import dependence. Its core objectives include:
- Promoting innovation and indigenous manufacturing
- Expanding domestic consumption and global market share
- Building skilled human resources
- Supporting export competitiveness
Key Components of NTTM
Research, Innovation and Development
The mission supports R&D projects for developing new fibres, yarns, fabrics, and processing technologies. It encourages collaboration between research institutions, industry, and startups to create high-performance textile solutions.
Promotion and Market Development
This component focuses on increasing awareness and adoption of technical textiles within India. It promotes industry linkages, pilot projects, standards development, and international collaborations to create sustainable domestic demand.
Export Promotion
A dedicated effort is made to enhance India’s presence in the global technical textiles market through export facilitation, standard harmonisation, and engagement with international buyers.
Education, Training and Skill Development
The mission supports:
- Introduction of technical textiles courses in leading institutions
- Skill development programmes, internships, and industry-oriented training
- Capacity building for professionals, technicians, and researchers
What are Technical Textiles
Technical textiles are textile materials and products designed primarily for functional and performance-oriented applications, rather than aesthetics. They are also referred to as industrial textiles, functional textiles, performance textiles, or hi-tech textiles.
These textiles are engineered to deliver properties such as strength, durability, resistance, insulation, filtration, protection, or medical functionality.
Classification of Technical Textiles
Technical textiles are broadly classified into 12 categories, based on their end-use applications:
- Agrotech – agriculture and horticulture
- Oekotech – environmental protection
- Buildtech – construction and infrastructure
- Meditech – medical and healthcare
- Geotech – geotechnical applications
- Clothtech – components of clothing
- Mobiltech – automobiles and transportation
- Hometech – household applications
- Sportstech – sports and leisure
- Indutech – industrial filtration and belts
- Protech – protective textiles
- Packtech – packaging materials
Applications and Significance
Technical textiles are widely used in:
- Automotive components, airbags, seat belts
- Medical devices such as surgical gowns, implants, and PPE
- Infrastructure projects like roads, dams, and soil reinforcement
- Defence and safety gear, including bulletproof jackets and fire-resistant clothing
- Environmental solutions, such as filtration and erosion control
They play a crucial role in improving safety, efficiency, sustainability, and technological self-reliance.
Importance for India
The National Technical Textiles Mission is strategically important because it:
- Reduces import dependence in critical sectors
- Supports Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives
- Generates high-value employment
- Enhances India’s export potential in a fast-growing global market
