‘Textile Days India’, a combination of two fairs, Techtextil (International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens) and Heimtextil India (Trade fair for home furnishings), which took place from 10-12 October, was inaugurated by Mr. A B Joshi, Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles India. The exhibition was held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.

According to organisers, Heimtextil India and Techtextil  2009 signified the uptrend in the economy with over 4000 business delegates exploring business opportunities and finalizing business with over 175 participants. The fair saw participation from leading businesses from USA, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Belgium, China, Switzerland Holland, Japan, Spain, Turkey, Taiwan, Iran and India.

Speaking at the inauguration of the fair Mr Joshi, Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, India said:  “The textile industry is a key growth driver of the Indian economy and I see this sector growing despite market conditions. The potential of technical textiles in India is still untapped and to unleash the investment in this industry, creating awareness is necessary. Fairs like Techtextil India will play a very significant role to achieve this.”

He added: “To tap the potential of technical textiles and to unleash the investments in this industry the government had appointed ICRA Management Consultancy (IMaCS) do a baseline survey of technical textile industry. IMaCS has already submitted its final report which is under examination. The report contains details on raw materials, technology, machinery for technical textiles and details of all the producers, consumers, importers and exporters of all categories of technical textiles.”

Shammi Nagpal, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt India said: “To give a boost to the Indian textile industry Messe Frankfurt India has targeted international buyers from new markets and this is expected to bring in good results for the Indian exhibitors, despite flagging economies worldwide.” She added ” The real engine of world growth in the end-use consumption of technical textiles lies in Asia and the fastest growth prospects appear to lie in new markets like India. Heimtextil fair, in its tenth year, continues to be an important event for the country’s textile industry, because it is here that the presence of international buyers is the highest and business can take place in a professional atmosphere.”

Heimtextil India is the annual meeting point for India’s home fashion producers and despite lesser numbers this year, it will continue to inspire with innovative products and creative designs. The fair will feature a comprehensive range of products from furnishing fabrics, curtains and accessories, furniture fabrics, furniture leather to carpets, floor coverings, accessories, bed linen, table decorations and bathroom textiles.

Techtextil India is an innovative show that is a user-oriented concept of Techtextil, which is already present in Frankfurt, Las Vegas, Moscow, Atlanta and Shanghai. This concept with its ten product groups showcases everything within the vertical process chain and its 12 application areas that will benefit from the global Techtextil network and create new synergies. India currently consumes products from all twelve categories of technical textiles, though not all of them produced locally. Organisers say that, unlike the conventional textile industry in India which is highly export oriented, the technical textiles industry in India is an import intensive industry, which makes it a highly interesting market for export oriented manufacturers from Europe and elsewhere.

Within the framework of Techtextil India, the Techtextil India Symposium, a two day conference was  held featuring leading International speakers presenting topics of interest and innovations on technical textiles to the industry. The highlights of the symposium were on the 12 different applications of technical textiles, nonwovens and technical applications.

Heimtextil India is supported by leading associations like the Powerloom Development Export Council, the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council; the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council, the Handloom Export Promotion Council; Textiles Committee, Govt. of India, Ministry of Textiles and the Jute Manufactures Development Council, all of whom are appreciative of Messe Frankfurt’s efforts to ensure business prospects for its manufacturers via its international brand.