Cotlook Index: 28-10-2026
89.70 (-1.00)
India approves $1.05 bn container manufacturing scheme
Thursday, 29th Oct 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Insights: India's Cabinet has approved a Rs 10,000 crore ($1.05 billion) Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme up to FY 2039-40 to expand domestic container capacity and cut import dependence. It provides interest subvention, operational expenditure support, and testing and certification assistance. Targets include capacity of up to 7.5 lakh TEUs, 3,000 direct jobs and over 50,000 indirect jobs.
India’s Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS) with a budgetary outlay of Rs 10,000 crore ($1.05 billion) up to FY 2039-40 to build a container manufacturing ecosystem in India, reduce import dependence and strengthen supply-chain resilience, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The scheme is intended to support both new manufacturing facilities and the expansion of existing container manufacturing units. The Scheme for Container Manufacturing was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 CMPS includes Interest Subvention Assistance with a financial outlay of Rs 859 crore ($90.1 million). This will provide interest subvention of 3 per cent per annum on eligible term loans, or capital loans, availed by container manufacturers for setting up greenfield container manufacturing facilities and brownfield expansion of existing capacity.
The largest component is Operational Expenditure Assistance, with an outlay of Rs 8,891 crore ($933 million). It will provide financial assistance for containers manufactured as per global shipping standards and sold by eligible container manufacturers, with the aim of bridging the cost gap and improving the competitiveness of domestically manufactured containers.
The scheme also provides testing and certification assistance with an outlay of Rs 150 crore ($15.7 million) to support common facilities, including dynamic longitudinal impact testing, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said in a press release.
The ministry said the scheme is envisaged to increase annual domestic container manufacturing capacity by around ten-fold to up to 7.5 lakh TEUs. It is also intended to create an internationally competitive manufacturing base with potential to position India as a global export hub for quality shipping containers.
CMPS is expected to strengthen India’s maritime and logistics supply chains, generate an estimated 3,000 direct jobs and over 50,000 indirect jobs, and support ancillary industries such as corner castings, specialised steel, wooden frames and paints.
ICE cotton futures edge higher on bargain buying, mill demand
Thursday, 29th Oct 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Insights: ICE December 2026 cotton futures settled 0.12 per cent higher at 78.15 cents per pound on bargain hunting and textile mill buying after four sessions of losses.Abundant supplies, a firm US dollar, lower open interest and higher stocks capped gains as technical weakness persisted.Markets are watching the Federal Reserve, US harvest progress and a possible India duty-free import extension. ICE cotton futures edged higher on Wednesday after four consecutive sessions of losses, supported by bargain hunting and increased buying from textile mills. However, abundant supplies and a stronger US dollar limited gains. The most active December 2026 contract gained 9 points, or 0.12 per cent, to settle at 78.15 cents per pound, compared with 78.06 cents in the previous session. Despite the recovery, the contract remained down 368 points over the past five sessions. Other cotton contracts settled 8–25 points higher.Trading volume declined to 54,076 contracts from 64,652 in the previous session. Open interest fell by 780 contracts to 397,988, marking its fourth consecutive decline after reaching a record 402,264 contracts on October 21. ICE certificated cotton stocks increased to 27,591 bales as of October 27, compared with 26,791 bales in the previous trading session. Market analysts noted that the December contract traded between 77.61 and 78.56 cents during the session, recording a range of 95 points. The contract formed a lower high and a lower low for the fourth consecutive session and closed below its 200-day moving average for the second successive day, indicating continued technical weakness. Cotton futures initially slipped to their lowest level since October 8 before recovering on buying at lower prices. Market analysts said that buyers were returning to the market following four consecutive sessions of declines. Textile mills were also showing greater interest in purchasing cotton at current price levels. Although demand has not improved significantly, it remains stable and is gradually recovering. Meanwhile, the US dollar remained firm after touching a two-week high ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. A stronger dollar makes US cotton more expensive for overseas buyers, weighing on export competitiveness. Market sentiment was also influenced by reports that India was considering extending its duty-free cotton import policy until December 2026, as domestic cotton production was expected to fall short of earlier estimates. The existing duty-free import arrangement is scheduled to expire on October 31. An extension could help textile mills secure raw materials at lower costs, although no official announcement has been made. In related markets, CBOT soybean futures recovered for the first time in three sessions, supported by bargain hunting and reduced production estimates for Brazil. However, harvesting pressure limited gains. Crude oil prices also increased by approximately 1 per cent, potentially supporting cotton through higher costs for competing synthetic fibres. Market participants are now monitoring support at 77.05 cents, followed by 76.87 cents, while resistance is seen at 79.23 cents and subsequently at 79.80–80.00 cents. The Federal Reserve's decision, dollar movements, US harvest progress, India's cotton import policy and upcoming index fund rolls are expected to influence cotton futures in the coming sessions. This morning (Indian Standard Time), December 2026 cotton traded at 77.90 cents per pound (down 0.25 cent). Cash cotton traded at 75.90 cents (up 0.09 cent), while the March 2027 contract traded at 81.68 cents (down 0.22 cent). The May 2027 contract traded at 83.34 cents (down 0.20 cent), the July 2027 contract at 83.73 cents (down 0.32 cent), and the October 2027 contract at 78.00 cents (up 0.17 cent). A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded so far today.
China Cotton Yarn Exports Rise 15.66% in September
Wednesday, 28th Oct 2026, by Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
China’s Cotton Yarn Exports Rise for the Second Consecutive Month; 15.66% Growth Recorded in September
Beijing: China’s cotton yarn exports saw an increase for the second consecutive month during August and September 2026. According to customs data, China’s cotton yarn exports reached 25,900 tonnes in August—an 8.56% increase over the previous month. By September, exports climbed to approximately 30,000 tonnes, representing a month-on-month growth of 15.66% and a year-on-year increase of 4.23%.
Surge in Exports to Pakistan and Bangladesh
In September 2026, China exported 6,200 tonnes of cotton yarn to Pakistan and 4,000 tonnes to Bangladesh—increases of 22.35% and 23.77%, respectively, compared to the previous month. During the same period, exports to Vietnam, Hong Kong (China), Russia, and Cambodia stood at 3,800 tonnes, 3,500 tonnes, 2,300 tonnes, and 1,800 tonnes, respectively. These markets recorded month-on-month growth rates of 4.34%, 12.74%, 7.36%, and 20.65%. While exports to Indonesia and Thailand declined, most other markets showed positive growth. According to the China Cotton Network, information gathered from major cotton textile mills and foreign trade companies indicates that the momentum for export orders and shipments remained strong during the first half of October. Increased Demand from the Global Textile Industry. According to industry experts, stability in the FOB, CNF, and CIF prices of cotton yarn in China has bolstered orders and shipments. Furthermore, as textile manufacturers in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam received orders for higher value-added products from Europe and the United States, the demand for 32S and finer combed and carded cotton yarns has risen. According to U.S. Customs data, U.S. imports of cotton textiles and apparel reached 1.46 billion square meters in August 2026—an increase of 3.1% compared to the previous month. During the same period, imports from Pakistan and Bangladesh grew by 8.4% and 9.3%, respectively. In September 2026, textile and apparel exports from India, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Bangladesh recorded year-on-year growth of 13.1%, 14.2%, 4.7%, and 8.6%, respectively. Experts note that improved production activities and export demand within the Asian textile industry are supporting the consumption of cotton yarn. If this trend persists, China’s cotton yarn exports could see further strengthening in the coming months.
CITI says revamped textile PLI scheme will boost investment in India
Thursday, 29th Oct 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Insights: India's textile PLI portal will reopen for new Round 4 applications from November 1 to December 31, 2026, CITI said, welcoming the Union Ministry of Textiles' move. CITI said a lower turnover threshold and longer-term horizon would widen participation and support investment. The round would aid MMF apparel, MMF fabrics and technical textiles; sector exports rose 17.51 per cent in September.
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has welcomed the reopening of applications under Round 4 of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles, saying the lower turnover threshold and longer-term horizon would widen industry participation and encourage investment. These changes would enable more companies to benefit from the scheme, supporting job creation and strengthening international competitiveness. The Ministry of Textiles will accept fresh applications from November 1 to December 31, 2026. “At a time when the industry continues to be buffeted by global headwinds even as it vigorously strives towards the $350 billion ambition for the textile and apparel sector by 2030, this measure by the Union Ministry of Textiles comes as a huge confidence-booster and provides a huge fillip to companies,” Ashwin Chandran, chairman, CITI, said in a press release. “The liberal terms announced for Round 4 – especially the lowering of the turnover threshold and the longer-term horizon – will provide greater opportunities for more companies to participate in the Scheme, leading to more investments and job creation besides enhancing the sector’s international competitiveness,” added Chandran. PLI Round 4 would lend impetus to man-made fibre (MMF) apparel, MMF fabrics and technical textiles, and spur production of high-value MMF apparel and fabrics in India.“The PLI Round 4, coupled with the proposed implementation of the National Fibre Scheme announced in the latest Union Budget, is just the sort of policy support that the MMF arena was looking for,” Chandran said.
The industry body also thanked Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh and officials for the measure. CITI said MMF dominates the global textile arena. The goods and services tax (GST) reduction on MMF fibre and yarn to 5 per cent has removed the inverted duty structure in the MMF value chain from the fibre stage onwards, but inversion remains at the upstream stage as PTA and MEG, the key raw materials for MMF fibre, continue to attract 18 per cent GST. India’s textile and apparel exports grew 17.51 per cent year-on-year in September 2026 in US dollar terms, while year-on-year growth for April-September 2026 was 2.38 per cent, as apparel exports declined compared with the same period in 2025, added the release.
India May Extend Duty-Free Cotton Imports, Raising Concerns Over Farmers’ Interests and Self-Reliance
Tuesday, 27th Oct 2026, Ajeet Singh, (Source: www.eng.ruralvoice.in)
India may extend the duty-free cotton import window until December 2026 to meet the textile industry’s raw material needs and contain costs. However, the move has raised concerns among cotton farmers, who fear that cheaper imports could put pressure on domestic prices during the new crop’s arrival. The Government of India may extend the duty-free import window for cotton until the end of December 2026, beyond the current deadline of 31 October, as the textile industry pushes for continued access to cheaper raw material. However, the proposed extension has raised concerns among domestic cotton farmers, who fear that increased import availability during the arrival of the new crop could put pressure on market prices. Inter-ministerial discussions are reportedly under way on extending the customs duty exemption, and an official order could be issued soon. The textile industry has argued that continued duty-free imports would improve raw material availability, reduce production costs and help contain domestic cotton prices. Farmers, however, fear that the move could weaken prices at a time when the new crop is being harvested across major cotton-growing regions. Ranjeet Singh Raju, a farmer from Sri Ganganagar district in Rajasthan and president of the Gramin Kisan Mazdoor Samiti (GKS), told Rural Voice that cotton production has been affected by adverse weather and fertiliser shortages this year. With output under pressure, farmers are receiving around Rs. 9,000 per quintal, a better price than last year. However, cotton prices had reached as high as Rs. 12,000 per quintal three years ago. Raju said the government tends to facilitate imports when farmers begin receiving better prices in the domestic market. He added that farmers growing pulses and oilseeds are also facing pressure from cheaper imports.
Widening Gap Between Production and Demand
Rising dependence on cotton imports also raises questions about the government’s efforts to strengthen self-reliance in agricultural commodities. Domestic cotton production has declined significantly from its peak in recent years.
India’s cotton output reached 398 lakh bales, each weighing 170 kg, in 2013-14. Production subsequently fell to 297 lakh bales in 2024-25, nearly 100 lakh bales below that peak. Output declined further to around 290 lakh bales in 2025-26. Production could fall again in the current season because of drought conditions in several cotton-growing regions. The textile industry estimates domestic cotton demand at around 350 lakh bales. If the gap between production and consumption persists, imports could become increasingly important for meeting the industry’s raw material requirements.Cotton acreage had fallen to around 115 lakh hectares over the past two years. In the current season, the area under cotton is estimated at approximately 111 lakh hectares. Lower acreage, drought in cotton-growing regions of Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat, and unseasonal rainfall in several areas have added to concerns over production.
Adverse Weather Threatens Cotton Output
Anil Ghanwat, a Maharashtra-based farmer leader and former president of the Shetkari Sanghatana, said the influence of El Niño and drought conditions in cotton-growing areas had adversely affected domestic production.
Ghanwat believes the government could continue duty-free cotton imports for another year. While such a move could hurt farmers, he said the textile industry’s demand for raw material might persuade the government to maintain the exemption.
The Centre had exempted cotton imports from the existing 11% customs duty from 1 June to 31 October 2026, citing the needs of the textile industry. The government is now considering extending the exemption by another two months.
Duty-Free Imports Could Put Pressure on Prices
Cotton arrivals generally increase in mandis across several major producing regions of northern and central India between October and December. The arrival of a new crop can normally moderate domestic prices. However, prices have remained relatively high this year amid concerns over lower production.
Cotton prices in major domestic markets are currently around Rs. 9,000 per quintal. For the 2026-27 season, the Centre has fixed the minimum support price (MSP) at Rs. 8,267 per quintal for medium-staple cotton and Rs. 8,667 per quintal for long-staple cotton. Market prices above these levels have provided farmers with returns higher than the MSP.
If the duty-free import window is extended and supplies of imported cotton increase, domestic prices could face additional downward pressure, potentially reducing farmers’ returns.
Cotton Imports More Than Triple in Two Years
As domestic production has weakened, India’s dependence on imported cotton has increased. According to trade data, the value of cotton imports rose from around US$579.2 million in 2023-24 to US$1.2 billion in 2024-25 and US$1.86 billion in 2025-26.
During April-September 2026, cotton imports increased by 63% year-on-year to approximately US$1.1 billion. If this pace continues, imports could reach a record level in the current financial year. Extending the duty exemption could have longer-term implications for domestic cotton production. Lower prices could reduce farmers’ incentive to grow cotton in the next season, potentially leading to a further decline in output and greater reliance on imports. The government faces the challenge of ensuring adequate raw material supplies for the textile industry while securing remunerative prices for cotton farmers and strengthening domestic production. Although cheaper imports may provide short-term relief to the industry, sustained investment in productivity and measures to reduce import dependence will be crucial for the long-term resilience of India’s cotton sector.
Cyclone Arnab Threatens Kharif Harvest as Heavy Rain Raises Crop Loss Fears
Wednesday, 28th Oct 2026, Ajeet Singh, (Source: www.eng.ruralvoice.in)
Cyclone Arnab threatens kharif harvesting and post-harvest storage as heavy rain and strong winds affect eastern India, with further showers forecast across northern states.
Cyclone Arnab has heightened concerns among farmers over the harvesting and safe storage of kharif crops, as heavy rainfall and strong winds affect eastern India and the threat of further rain extends to northern parts of the country.
Coastal areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have experienced extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds, while rain has spread to Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. The adverse weather threatens standing crops, harvested paddy lying in the open and ongoing harvesting operations at a critical stage of the kharif season.
Moisture associated with the cyclone is also expected to interact with an approaching western disturbance, bringing rain to Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from Thursday afternoon into the early hours of Friday. Scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms are also possible.
Flash Flood Risk in 13 Andhra Pradesh Districts
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Arnab had completed landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast by the morning of 28 October. The system was subsequently expected to weaken gradually, although the risk of heavy rainfall, waterlogging and flooding remained. The weather department identified a moderate to high risk of flash floods in 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh and parts of Yanam. Low-lying areas were also considered vulnerable to waterlogging. Despite the cyclone's expected weakening, continued rainfall could disrupt harvesting, damage standing crops and deteriorate the quality of harvested produce. Paddy fields and other agricultural land in vulnerable areas could face waterlogging, while strong winds may cause crops to lodge, making harvesting more difficult and increasing the risk of losses.
Rain and Thunderstorms Forecast in Northern India
According to the IMD's warning issued on 28 October, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab faced the possibility of thunderstorms, strong winds and hailstorms on 29 and 30 October. A warning of heavy rainfall was also issued for eastern Uttar Pradesh.
The forecast comes at a sensitive time for farmers in Haryana, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh, where paddy procurement is under way and sugarcane harvesting is beginning. Rain could disrupt harvesting, transportation and procurement operations. Wet paddy may also require additional drying before it can be safely stored or accepted at procurement centres. In Uttar Pradesh, rainfall earlier in October had already delayed the start of sugarcane crushing operations. Further rain could cause additional delays, affecting the transportation of harvested cane to sugar mills and disrupting the start of the crushing season.
Paddy Crops Face the Greatest Risk
Paddy crops nearing harvest in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal are among the most vulnerable to the adverse weather.
Heavy rainfall and strong winds could flatten standing crops, increase waterlogging and affect grain quality. Lodging can complicate harvesting and increase the risk of grain losses. Paddy harvested and left in the open is also vulnerable to moisture damage and deterioration in quality if exposed to rain.
Other kharif crops, including cotton, soybean, maize and pulses, could also be affected. Excess rainfall may damage standing crops, delay field operations and complicate harvesting and post-harvest handling.
AI in the Textile Industry: ITAMMA and SITRA Conference Highlights Practical Applications Across the Value Chain
Thursday, 29th Oct 2026, (Source: www.textilevaluechain.in)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is creating opportunities to improve productivity, quality control, resource efficiency and decision-making across the textile value chain. These applications were discussed at “AI – A Friend and Not an Enemy of the Textile Industry”, a conference organised by the Indian Textile Accessories and Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (ITAMMA) and the South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) on 25 September 2026 at the SITRA Auditorium in Coimbatore.
The programme brought together representatives from technology companies, textile manufacturers, research institutions, academia and industry associations. Discussions covered applications ranging from fibre selection and spinning operations to fabric inspection, supply-chain management, digital marketing and technical textiles. A recurring theme was that successful AI adoption depends on identifying specific business problems, using reliable data and retaining the judgement of experienced textile professionals.
Opening Session: Connecting Technology with Textile Industry Needs
ITAMMA President Om Prakash Mantry introduced the conference theme through the challenges of a fragmented textile supply chain. His welcome address covered traceability, planning using market information, waste reduction and collaboration between people and technology.
He positioned AI as a potential means of improving competitiveness and sustainability, supported by industry associations and government initiatives.
ITAMMA Vice President Vishal Masand outlined the association’s services to textile machinery and accessory manufacturers. These include knowledge sharing, digital information, research and development, lean manufacturing, quality initiatives, industry–academic connections, exhibitions and export opportunities.
The presentation highlighted the role of collective industry support in helping smaller companies access expertise and develop their capabilities.
SITRA's Head of Liaison and Consultancy, J Sreenivasan, presented the organisation's research, testing, consultancy and training capabilities. The areas covered included spinning, weaving, knitting, physical and chemical testing, productivity and cost comparisons, machinery calibration, utility audits and medical textiles.
The discussion highlighted how mills can use research and testing infrastructure to diagnose operational problems before committing resources to new solutions.
Rajeswaran Sundarraj, ITAMMA's Honorary Treasurer and Managing Director of Naren Group of Companies, outlined the conference programme, which progressed from keynote and government addresses to international technology presentations, Indian industry experiences, spinning applications, academic discussions and ITAMMA's digital transformation initiatives.
In his concluding remarks during the inaugural session, SITRA Director Dr Prakash Vasudevan stressed the importance of trained personnel, reliable data and collaboration in effective AI adoption. He connected these requirements with forecasting, inventory and supply-chain management, sustainability and resource efficiency, while emphasising the continued role of skilled judgement.
Keynote and Government Address
Sridhar Chitraju, introduced as Director and Chief Technology Officer for the CTO Centre of Excellence at Kyndryl, discussed AI applications across the textile value chain, from farming and fibre production to manufacturing, fashion and overseas markets.
His examples covered:
Chitraju distinguished between machine learning, computer vision, generative AI and systems that recommend or coordinate actions. He identified usable information from machines, laboratories and operators as a common requirement across these technologies.
He recommended beginning with a specific process or production line, establishing a performance baseline and conducting a focused pilot before expanding an application. Collaboration among mills, technology providers, ITAMMA and SITRA could also help develop shared expertise and relevant datasets.
The approach retained experienced personnel as the decision-makers responsible for assessing recommendations and determining the appropriate action.
Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary for SME in the Ministry of MSME, discussed formalisation, access to finance, quality improvement, innovation, skills and exports. Her address connected technology adoption with broader business development and participation in government support programmes.
Initiatives mentioned included Udyam and Udyam Assist, ZED, incubation and design support, intellectual property assistance, credit guarantees, procurement and marketing assistance, international cooperation, technology centres and programmes under RAMP. She also addressed the inclusion of women and disadvantaged entrepreneur groups.
The presentation encouraged businesses to consider available institutional support when planning modernisation. Scheme amounts, eligibility conditions, thresholds and application dates should be confirmed with the responsible ministry before businesses rely on them.
Global Technology Perspectives on Intelligent Textile Manufacturing
The international technology session, moderated by J M Balaji of LRT, focused on the relationship between people, machinery and trustworthy data. The discussion encouraged mills to identify specific operational problems while retaining the knowledge of experienced employees.
Josep Torrent, Managing Director of Pinter's Indian operations, discussed machine monitoring as a foundation for more informed production decisions.
Examples included production sequencing, balancing quality and delivery requirements, machine availability, mill-data queries and speed optimisation. The presentation distinguished conventional automation and fixed-rule alarms from systems that learn from data or recommend actions.
Some applications were presented as development directions rather than capabilities already deployed universally across mills.
The Uster Technologies representative discussed five areas of opportunity: material intelligence, product passport verification, factory assistance, supply-chain coordination and circularity.
He identified raw-material decisions and factory performance as practical starting points for digital applications. Connected quality information can help mills trace defects to their origins and prevent recurrence rather than relying only on final-stage inspection.
Archontopoulos also emphasised the need to calibrate models to individual mills and operating conditions. Changes in machinery, materials or processes may require adjustments or retraining, as a model's performance cannot automatically be assumed to transfer across different environments.
Jaivardhan Thirupathi of CountAI and Indo Texnology presented on behalf of Harshavardhan Thirupathi. The presentation examined automation beyond workforce reduction, focusing on consistent handling, packing records, traceability and preventing product mix-ups.
Digital records of lots, cones, bags, images and weights can connect production with dispatch operations. The discussion also covered machine-vision inspection in knitting and weaving.
The company profile identifies Jaivardhan as Co-Founder and Customer Success Officer; his surname was not confirmed in the reviewed material.
Enterprise Intelligence and AI-Driven Decision-Making
Ganesh Rajagopal, Founder, President and CEO of Sambuq.com, discussed the use of AI at the enterprise level, linking production information with finance, procurement, markets, policy and research.
He introduced the OPERA framework — Observe, Predict, Enable, Recommend and Act — as a sequence for converting information into decisions.
Rajagopal recommended adding intelligence to existing systems rather than assuming that every business must replace its enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform. He emphasised manageable starting points, staff training and clear ownership of decisions.
The presentation also connected these ideas with ITAMMA's digitalisation work and Smart Data Clinic.
During the question session, Harshavardhan Thirupathi discussed practical entry points for AI. He argued that companies do not need to wait until an entire factory is digitised before beginning. Existing production, finance and sales records can support initial projects, provided the trials address defined problems and use measurable results.
The global panel returned to topics including return on investment, raw-material costs, defect detection, predictive maintenance and changes in working practices.
Participants favoured targeted applications with a clear performance baseline. They also highlighted employee confidence and management commitment as factors influencing whether a technology becomes part of daily operations.
The discussion did not establish that every mill should become fully autonomous. Instead, it supported combining automation with textile expertise, checking recommendations and building data continuously as applications demonstrate their value.
Sustainability and traceability were discussed as both commercial capabilities and resource-management concerns.
National Industry Panel: Practical Applications Across Textile Operations
The national industry panel examined applications in fibre mixing, spinning, knitting inspection, maintenance, dye recipes, design, demand forecasting, inventory and recycling. The following contributions were part of a moderated discussion rather than separate formal presentations.
The Gherzi Consulting Engineers representative introduced applications across manufacturing and supply-chain functions. His discussion addressed cost pressures, shorter product cycles, workforce skills and sustainability.
He also highlighted practical considerations in machine-vision systems, including lighting conditions, data quality, false detections and repeatability.
Sanjay Jain, Managing Director of TT Ltd, discussed the financial constraints textile companies face when investing in technology.
He identified potential applications in design, product imagery, spreadsheets, sales and stock planning, while questioning expensive solutions whose returns are unclear. His contribution stressed the importance of domain knowledge, effective questions and staff training when translating AI output into business decisions.
The Arvind sustainability representative connected sensor and recipe data with production scheduling, quality and resource consumption.
Planning decisions need to account for water and steam capacity alongside delivery deadlines. The discussion also covered traceability, circular design, recycling and sustainability reporting.
Naik cautioned that the energy and water footprint of AI infrastructure should be included when assessing its overall environmental benefits.
The Krios Global representative discussed accessible applications for smaller exporters, including researching markets and buyers, preparing product information, tailoring sales pitches and creating garment mock-ups or campaign material from fabric.
These tools can reduce preparation time, but the outputs still require informed prompts and review by the user.
The ICC Pune representative identified closed machine interfaces as an obstacle to combining information across a mill. He emphasised the importance of considering data accessibility when purchasing equipment.
His contribution also covered contamination control and the design requirements of technical textiles, where properties such as thermal performance, acoustic behaviour, flame resistance, stretch and moisture management may need to be considered together.
AI in Spinning Operational Excellence
Devadas Dhamodaraswamy, President Director of Texcoms Worldwide, presented “Leveraging AI in Spinning Operational Excellence”, focusing on how ERP information can support operational decisions in spinning mills.
His proposed approach connected data collection, baseline measurement, modelling, ranked recommendations, financial evaluation and managerial approval. Feedback on the results would then inform subsequent decisions.
The examples addressed three areas with direct economic relevance: raw-material costs, machine productivity and energy consumption.
One mill example reported the following figures:
These figures were reported in the presentation and were not independently audited savings.
A larger spinning-mill example used production and stoppage information to prioritise frames requiring attention. The available material did not establish a sufficiently clear numerical improvement, so no specific productivity gain was reported.
Another example reported an energy reduction from approximately 0.827 to 0.820 kWh per kg. The corresponding cost changed from about Rs 6.72 to Rs 6.66 per kg.
The commercial significance of these changes depends on production volume, electricity tariffs and whether the performance can be sustained.
The suggested rollout began with agreement on an operational problem and the collection of historical ERP records. Subsequent steps involved cleaning the data, calibrating the model with staff, approving recommended changes and recording decisions and outcomes.
Dhamodaraswamy described a short initial implementation period, but this was his proposed approach rather than a guaranteed deployment timetable for every mill.
The session also referred to Aladdin365 as a textile professional networking platform. Product and service references in the conference report identify the subjects discussed and do not constitute endorsements.
Academic Panel: Research, Education and Workforce Development
The academic panel was explicitly conducted as a discussion without individual slide presentations. Moderated by P T Muralidharan of Vetal, it explored practical research, industrial problems, education and skills development.
The SITRA medical-textiles representative discussed the relationship between AI, computational methods, testing data and the prediction of material properties.
He addressed sensor-integrated textile applications and the potential of laboratory archives to identify defects and their likely causes. His proposed progression was to develop an affordable offline tool before moving towards online industrial applications.
Dr M Saravanan, Head of Textile Technology at Kumaraguru College of Technology, described laboratory facilities, internships and projects bringing textile students together with specialists in computing, electronics and mechatronics.
He discussed digital design and analytics as useful skills, while emphasising industry mentorship and responsible judgement.
The SVPITM representative was asked about digital prototyping and reducing sampling waste. The reviewed material contained a gap in the caption record for part of her initial response, so the missing details could not be reconstructed reliably.
In later contributions, she discussed the potential of Indian textile heritage and design. She also cautioned that dependence on generated assignments could weaken students' understanding and creativity.
Dr B Vinod, Head of Robotics and Automation Engineering at PSG College of Technology, discussed the transition from manual records to sensor-based monitoring using temperature, vibration and acoustic information.
Simulation and digital twins were presented as methods for understanding bottlenecks. His later remarks raised concerns about dependence on technology and autonomous physical systems; these were expressed as concerns about future use rather than established outcomes of textile deployments.
ITAMMA's Digital Transformation and Smart Data Clinic
ITAMMA Director General Technical N D Mhatre described the association's digital transformation journey since 2022. He contrasted the reach of physical events and printed information with the continuing digital connections among members, technology providers and the wider textile ecosystem.
Continuing the joint closing presentation, Rajagopal discussed mobile access to knowledge and the collection, curation and analysis of industry information.
Demonstrations included member geography and trade information, with the longer-term direction moving towards enterprise-specific intelligence. The discussion also covered planned additions; the presentation material did not establish that every mentioned dashboard or data source was already operational.
Dhandayuthapani Chidambaram, introduced as Managing Director of MAG Solvics and an ITAMMA committee member, delivered the vote of thanks. He acknowledged the sponsor, supporting association, knowledge partners, media partners, moderators, speakers and participants.
Key Takeaways for Textile Businesses
The conference discussions pointed to several practical considerations for companies exploring AI adoption:
These conclusions reflect the themes of the conference discussions rather than a formally adopted conference resolution.
The event underscored that AI adoption in textiles involves more than installing new software or automated machinery. Its practical value depends on how effectively companies connect technology with operational knowledge, reliable information, trained personnel and measurable business objectives.
