About Technical Textile – Indian Technical Textile Association

Technical Textile Segments

Technical textiles are defined as textile materials and products used primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics. Other terms used for defining technical textiles include industrial textiles, functional textiles, performance textiles,engineering textiles, invisible textiles and hi-tech textiles. Technical textiles are used individually or as a component/part of another product.Technical textiles are used individually to satisfy specific functions such as fire retardant fabric for uniforms of firemen and coated fabric to be used as awnings. As a component or part of another product, they are used to enhance the strength, performance or other functional properties of that product. Technical textiles have been slowly but steadily gaining ground due to one or more of the reasons such as: functional requirement, health & safety; cost effectiveness; durability; high strength; light weight; versatility; customization; user friendliness; eco friendliness; logistical convenience etc. Unlike conventional textiles used traditionally for clothing or furnishing, technical textiles are used basically on account of their specific physical and functional properties and mostly by other user industries. Depending on the product characteristics, functional requirements and end-use applications the highly diversified range of technical textile are grouped into 12 segments. Segment wise details are as follows:

Monofil Nets

Tough, knitted Monofil nets for windbreak fences and shading/privacy screens. A suitable windbreak, set at a right-angle to the prevailing wind, will protect plants against the harmful effects of blustery weather -- which can break young branches, damage flowers and cause leaves to dry or tear. They can also be used to block sand and salinity as well as reduce wind erosion. The nets also protect against frosts and help enhance the micro-climate (Photosynthesis, and ground moisture, is improved by reduced evaporation and transpiration).While special anti-hail net grades have been designed to withstand the impact of heavy hailstorms, when installed in roof-profile above crops and orchards. This not only safeguards the current harvest but also benefits future crops, since the woody parts of the plant are protected too.

Tarpaulins – HDPE, Cotton canvas and Jute Tarpaulins

A tarpaulin or tarp is a large sheet of strong, flexible, water resistant or waterproof material. Traditionally tarpaulins were made out of cotton however currently nylon and polyester fibre fabrics are being increasingly used in manufacturing tarpaulins. Tarpaulin is widely used for rain water protection in sheds, transportation - trucks & other automobiles, storage godowns, boats, snowmobiles, construction sites, lumber, grain storage, temporary storages, tents, ground-sheets, etc. Tarpaulins are sheets made out of polyethylene, cotton canvas, jute, etc. Polyethylene tarpaulin is also known as HDPE Tarpaulin, Laminated Tarpaulin, Plastic Tarpaulin, etc. Traditionally, cotton canvas had been the more common form of tarpaulins, but, lately, HDPE woven and laminated fabric and polyethylene sheets have replaced canvas in many of the applications.

Hoardings / Signages

Hoardings / Signages are made of a translucent flexible textile substrate called flexible-face sign fabric. Flexible-face sign fabric, also known as flex was developed as an alternative to rigid-faced substrates like acrylic, plastic and polycarbonates. Besides hoardings, this material has applications in light boxes, exhibits, trade show displays and majority of other static out of home (OOH) advertising. Flex is made of a PVC coated polyester warp knitted fabric. The fabric is made from high tenacity polyester filament yarn of denier ranging from 250 to 500. This fabric is coated with PVC and surface treated with lacquer. The material has the properties like Light transmission, Printability, Ultra Violet resistance, Heat sealability, Mildew resistance, Anti wicking. Flex is available in different varieties depending on its application. The flex used for front-lit hoardings is available in GSM ranging between 280 and 370 and that for back-lit hoardings is available in GSM ranging from 450 to 650.

Architectural Membranes

Architectural membranes are relatively new construction materials being used in India. The applications of architectural membranes include construction of permanent and semi-permanent structures such as car park covers, cafes, walkways, hotels, outdoor entertainment areas, pool surrounds, greenhouses, airports, stadiums, sports halls, exhibitions and display halls, storage bases for industrial and military supplies and any venues that require protection against harsh UV rays, heat, glare, rain and wind. The textile structures used for construction material can be classified into Clear-span structures, Tension structures and Air Structures. Architectural membranes are strong, energy efficient and aesthetically superior products that offer flexibility to designers and architects thus, allowing high levels of creativity. The textile material used for construction purpose is to be made Waterproof , Fire retardant, Resistant to deformation and extension under tension, Impermeable to air and wind, Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage, Resistant to sunlight and acid rain, Resistant to microbial attack.

Sewing threads

Sewing thread is a ply or cabled yarn used for stitching of apparels, hosiery, embroidery, footwear, leather goods, quilted mattresses, sports goods, saddlery & harness, industrial Gloves, automotive seats/seat belts, upholstery, parachutes, sails, tents, etc. Sewing threads are made of natural fibres like cotton, silk or artificial fibres like Nylon, Polyester or their blends. An ideal sewing thread should conform to a high standard of single thread strength, perfectly balanced twist and colour fastness. Sewing thread being a key component in the stitching, the demand for sewing thread is derived from various end applications such as apparel, hosiery, embroidery, footwear, leather goods and many other industrial goods.

Shoe laces

Shoe lace is a band that pulls the shoe together to hold it to the foot. A shoelace consists of two components: a tape that pulls the shoe tightly together and an aglet, the hardened taped end that fits through the eyelets on a shoe or boot. Shoe laces are also known as shoestrings or boot laces Shoe Laces also find application in garments (kids wear), shopping bags, office stationary, home decoration etc. However the consumption in these applications is negligible as compared to that in the footwear industry. Shoe laces are primarily made of Polyester, Cotton and Nylon. Polyester shoe laces dominate the market because of higher durability and better anti-slip properties. Cotton shoe laces are waxed to improve their performance and appearance.

Interlining

Interlining is a fabric used between the inner and outer layer of the garment to improve shape retention, strength or bulk. Interlining finds application in the waistbands, flies, pockets and belt loops of men's trousers; in the cuffs, collars and plackets of shirts and in the lapels, fronts, collars and pockets of tailored jackets and blazers. Invisible from the outside, interlining ensures accurate fit and optimum wearer comfort and thus, forms an important part of the garment Interlining may be woven, knitted or nonwoven made out of cotton, polyester, polyester/cotton or polyester/viscose blend. Nonwoven interlining is available in weight ranging from 18 gsm to 70 gsm whereas woven interlining is available in weight ranging from 120 gsm to 250 gsm. Both woven and nonwoven interlinings are available in fusible as well as non-fusible varieties.

Zip Fasteners

Zip fastener is a commonly used device for binding the edges of an opening of fabric or other flexible material, as on a garment or a bag. It is used in clothing (e.g., jackets and jeans), luggage and other bags, sporting goods, camping gear (e.g. tents and sleeping bags), and other items. Textile Labels: A number of types of woven fabric labels are available as a means of promotion, information, and identification on garments and other textile products. It is important for best effect to choose the most appropriate clothing label. The three most common types of woven labels are:
1. Damask
This is the most common type of garment label. It is used when finer images or texts are required. It gives greater clarity, in detailed designs and texts. These labels are woven slower, with finer yarns, and higher weave density, than other labels, thereby giving a uniform weave, with added durability.
2. Satin
Satin clothing labels are usually less expensive than damask. They cannot present the detail of design of damask or taffeta labels, but offer a smooth, shiny, lustrous, soft appearance, and feel.
3. Taffeta
These labels are woven with a plain weave ground or base. This is a tight weave structure and produces a very stable, durable label. On this ground weave the design can be produced by a brocade weave effect. These labels are often used for care instruction labels, because of their low cost.

Construction of roads

An effective geotextile is one that provides separation to preserve the aggregate base and maintain the designed structure and load-bearing capacity of the road. It helps prevent failure of the base and therefore the pavement by allowing the passage of water and preventing fine soil from mixing with the base. Light-use roads are usually constructed with thinner than required pavement thickness; these construction methods result in damage from the occasional passes of heavy delivery trucks or dumpsters, especially when the road is wet. Complete replacement of faulty asphalt or concrete sections using geotextiles to maintain the base and provide drainage is the most effective and permanent corrective action.

Railway

Where the subgrade consists of coarse soils e.g. sands and gravels, the geotextile acts as a separator between the subgrade and the ballast. The subgrade, under the effect of pressure and vibration from trains passing overhead, is prevented from working its way up into the large voids between the rail ballast stones and conversely, the ballast stones are prevented from working their way down into the soil subgrade. Without a geotextile in place, progressive settlement of the track could occur resulting in loss of track alignment and increased maintenance requirements. The pores in the geotextile are small enough to block the passage of fine sand and very coarse silt but large enough to allow the transmission of groundwater for pore water pressure relief.

River Canal and coastal work

Erosion protection structures or armor systems dissipate the hydraulic forces that cause erosion, and they preserve the subgrade soil or fill soil behind it. A geotextile is required between the subgrade soil and the rip-rap, gabions or pre-cast blocks to prevent piping and erosion of the soil while allowing the free passage of water. The primary function of the geotextile in erosion control is filtration to minimize erosion of the subgrade soil behind the armor system. Geotextile offers a combination of properties that make it ideally suited for permanent erosion control applications: Permittivity allows drainage Non-woven, thermally bonded fiber structure minimizes the piping and erosion of subgrade soils Tough, strong and durable Easy installation Made of polypropylene, which resists rot, mildew, microorganisms and chemicals Geotextile’s tensile strength, puncture resistance, tear resistance, opening size and hydraulic properties make it anideal filter fabric for permanent erosion control systems. The primary design requirement of apermanent erosion control system is the development of a graded aggregate filter layer in the subgrade soil. Geotextile resembles a well-graded aggregate filter. Geotextile provides an effective filter structure since it has both high permeability and the ability to retain soil particles adjacent to it, which minimizes the piping of subgrade soils and reduces fine particles from entering the watercourse.

Drainage

Geotextiles are widely used for drainage in earth and construction works. In the EN ISO standards the drainage function is defined as ”The collecting and transporting of precipitation, ground water and/or other fluids in the plane of the geotextile”. In other words, it is the ability of the geotextile to drain fluids on its own, meaning that it is not part of a drainage system, but is the drainage system itself. The drainage function is often confused with the filtration function. When a geotextile is part of a drainage system, where it is used to separate a soil and a coarse-grained drainage layer, the function is filtration.Usually, the installation strains are limited and use does not apply significant mechanical strains to a drainage geotextile. Consequently, high mechanical strength is not required, whereas hydraulic properties are decisive for the overall performance of the entire construction, with the water flow capacity in the plane of the geotextile being the most important

Carpet Backing Cloth

A carpet is any loom-woven, felted textile or grass floor covering. The global carpet market for domestic and industrial end use is dominated by several varieties of carpet such as Hand Knotted Carpets, Hand Woven Carpets, Tufted carpets, Needle felt carpets, Flat weave carpets, etc. Primary backing is manufactured mainly from synthetic fabric. Secondary backing is made of both jute and woven polypropylene. Jute carpet backing cloth is approximately 104\" wide with gsm varying between 180 and 407. Jute backing has certain limitations such as potential for browning and rotting. Thus, the secondary backings used today are majorly woven polypropylene made of a leno weave of slit film and spun olefin yarns that forms a stretchable secondary backing fabric.

Stuffed toys

Stuffed toys, also referred to as plush toys and soft toys, are made up of soft knitted fabrics stuffed with filling material. Stuffed toys are popular for a variety of reasons – as toys for kids, as gifts among youngsters for Valentine\'s Day, birthdays, other kind of special days or just as an expression of thought. Stuffed toys are entirely textile material. The outer fabric or skin of stuffed toys is made of fur, fleece, polyester felt, acrylic plush fabrics, etc. The skin is stuffed with a variety of materials such as polyester staple Fiberfil, foam, cloth scrap, paper foam or cotton. The toys are manufactured in different shapes, sizes and colours, the height varying from 6 cm to 200 cm.

Blinds

A window blind is a window covering composed of long strips of fabric or rigid material. Blinds are made of variety of materials; the material chosen depends on the aesthetic and functionality required. The desired functional performance include light and glare control, desired outside view, ease in handling and maintenance, acoustic performance, etc. Industry survey reveals that blinds are of typically the same width and height as the window itself or slightly wider and taller depending on whether they are fixed inside or outside the window\'s reveal. The fabric requirement in a blind for a window size of 6 ft X 6 ft is approximately 4.2 square meters. As per industry sources the market size for blinds is estimated at Rs 1050 crore.

HVAC filters

HVAC stands for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning. The HVAC systems are used in industries, commercial and residential buildings where humidity and temperature need to be closely regulated. The filtration systems in general can be classified as Liquid -Solid separation (e.g. vacuum and pressure filters), Air-Gas separation (e.g. activated carbon filters) and Air-Solid separation (i.e. filters that remove particulate matter from air). HVAC filters belong to the category of air filtration products. Filter media used in air filters are nonwoven fabrics laid perpendicular to the air flow to arrest the solid particulate matter. Air filters can be either mechanical filters or electrostatic filters (electrostatically enhanced filters). Most of the filters fall under the category of mechanical filters and depend on four primary filtration mechanisms - sieving, impaction, interception, and diffusion. Filters are characterized by their filtration efficiency, MERV rating and Micron size. HVAC filters are used in split and window type air conditioners as well as centralized air conditioning. The requirement of filter media for split/window type air conditioners varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and this media is generally washable.

Mattresses and pillows

A mattress is a mat or pad usually placed atop a bed. Mattresses can be broadly classified as Foam mattresses, Coir mattresses, Spring mattresses. Mattresses are made of a filling material like coir, foam etc which provides support to the body. Traditional Indian mattresses are thick quilts made up of cotton stuffing. The protective fabric cover which encases the mattress is called ticking. Ticking fabric holds the filling material in place. It is usually made of cotton and comes in a wide variety of colours and styles. The GSM of the fabric varies from 80 to 200.The market for mattresses and pillows can be broken down into three segments, Households, Hotels, Hospitals

Nonwoven wipes

A mattress is a mat or pad usually placed atop a bed. Mattresses can be broadly classified as FoamA wipe is a small piece of cloth used for the purpose of cleansing or disinfecting. Wipes could be woven, knitted or nonwoven. Nonwoven wipes have recently gained popularity on account of their excellent absorption and softness. The product is available as dry wipe as well as wet wipe wherein the nonwoven fabric is impregnated with a solution. Majority of nonwoven wipes are manufactured by Spunlace technology. The wipes are expected to have the properties like Smooth and soft texture, Good absorbance characteristics, Good moisture retention properties. Busy lifestyle and high disposable income are the key factors for the acceptance of wipes. Wet wipes obviate the need for the use of separate wet and dry' combinations in cleaning tasks thus, allowing people to perform daily tasks in substantially less time. Currently the demand for wipes is limited in India but with growing number of middle class families, increasing disposable income and changing lifestyle the demand for wipes is expected to increase in the urban areas. Moreover, product innovations are further likely to boost the demand. Consumption of wipes in foodservice and health care applications is also expected to grow because of heightened health and hygiene concerns. mattresses, Coir mattresses, Spring mattresses. Mattresses are made of a filling material like coir, foam etc which provides support to the body. Traditional Indian mattresses are thick quilts made up of cotton stuffing. The protective fabric cover which encases the mattress is called ticking. Ticking fabric holds the filling material in place. It is usually made of cotton and comes in a wide variety of colours and styles. The GSM of the fabric varies from 80 to 200.The market for mattresses and pillows can be broken down into three segments, Households, Hotels, Hospitals

Furniture fabrics

Indian Furniture industry can be segmented as Home furniture, Office furniture and Contract furniture (majorly the hospitality segment). Fabrics are mainly used in furniture made for seating purposes. Hair, fiber, flock, foam rubber, down, and kapok are used for padding in modern upholstery whereas woven fabrics, plastics, leather and synthetic leather serve as coverings. Woven fabrics including flock and velvet are the most widely used furnishing fabrics in furniture. Both plain and printed flock fabrics with an average GSM of 145 are used for the purpose. Jacquard and Shanil have also gained customer preference as these fabrics are dust resistant.

CONVEYOR BELTS

Belt Conveyor system is a fastest, environment friendly & economical mode of bulk transportation. The conveyor belt is used to move unit loads individually and bulk loads continuously. A Conveyor belt consists of three components: Cover, Carcass and Insulation – the bonding medium for the carcass. Belting fabrics are used for reinforcing these conveyor belts.Conveyor belts find major application in cement, mining, thermal power plants, paper, glass, fertilizer and other process industries where there is a requirement for continuous transfer of load.stretchable secondary backing fabric.

DRIVE BELTS

A belt drive is a method of transferring rotary motion between two shafts. A belt drive includes one pulley on each shaft and one or more continuous belts over the two pulleys. The motion of the driving pulley is, generally, transferred to the driven pulley via the friction between the belt and the pulley. The transmission belts can be classified as Flat, Vee, Poly-Vee, Timing/synchronous belts etc. Vee belts (or V Belts) are the most widely used belts. V belt drives replaced flat belt drives for many applications because higher power could be transmitted with more compact drive arrangements. V Belt Drives achieve drive efficiencies of about 95%.

Computer Printer Ribbon

The computer printer cartridge of a Dot matrix printer (DMP) consists of a cassette and inked fabric called the printer ribbon. The cartridge is replaced when no further prints can be availed, however in order to save on costs only the ribbon portion is changed which is called the refill. The Nylon 6 yarn is woven into a fabric which is cut to required size for making computer printer ribbons. The properties essential for this fabric is High tensile strength, Good absorption capacity and capillary action, Smudge resistance, Scratch resistance, Good heat resistance These properties enable the ribbon to carry the ink and undergo stress during printing.

Printed Circuit Board

The Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is a mechanical device used to electrically connect and hold electronic components. The technical textile used in the manufacture of printed circuit board is the woven glass fibre fabric which is used as reinforcement along with the epoxy resin. The glass fibre impregnated resin is used to bind the copper foils to give copper laminated boards, called laminates. These laminates are further cut into various sizes based on the requirement. The glass fabric used affects the performance of final electronic circuitry built on the PCB. The desired properties of the glass fabric required for PCB applications are like Dimensional stability Surface smoothness , Ability to withstand laser and mechanical drilling , Superior conductive anodic filament (CAF) resistance , Uniform dielectric constant (generally in range of 6.6-6.9), Lower dissipation factor (0.006), Reduced signal skew and improved signal integrity

Composites

The burgeoning infrastructure sectors project involving highways, bridges, airports, buildings, and construction, power generation and transmission, telecommunications are expected to provide an impetus to the composites industry in India. Composites are produced by reinforcing a resin matrix (thermoplastic/thermoset) with fibres like glass fibre, aramid, carbon fibre and/or natural fibres. Composites are able to meet diverse design requirements despite being light-weight and have a high strength-to-weight ratio as compared to conventional materials. Composites are more versatile and can be tailored to meet performance needs and complex design requirements. Long life offers excellent fatigue, impact, environmental resistance and reduced maintenance Composites enjoy reduced maintenance cost, Composites exhibit excellent corrosion resistance and fire retardant capability, Improved appearance with smooth surfaces and readily incorporable integral decorative melamine are other characteristics of composites, Composite parts can eliminate joints/fasteners, providing part simplification and integrated design.

Absorbent Glass mat Battery separators

Battery separator is a porous sheet placed between the positive and negative electrodes in a liquid electrolyte, a gel electrolyte or a molten salt battery. Its function is to prevent physical contact of the positive and negative electrodes while serving as an electrolyte reservoir to enable free ionic transport. According to the structure, the separator can be divided as micro porous and non-woven. An ideal battery separator should have the properties of high porosity, small mean pore diameter, oxidation resistance, puncture resistance, thermal dimensional stability and freedom from harmful chemical contaminants, favourable voltage characteristics, retardation of antimony transfer, electrochemical compatibility and prevention of dendrite growth.

Baby Diapers

The technical textile component of the diaper is the non-woven fabric which prevents fluid leakage and gives diaper the desired shape. The baby diapers are generally available in four sizes - small, medium, large and extra large, with an overall snug fitting. The typical product characteristics are super absorbent polymer should ensure complete dryness and prevent growth of bacteria, the non-woven used should be hydrophilic and absorb fluids fast. Baby diapers are used to absorb and retain body fluids of infants in period between birth and 24 months. Diapers are essentially made by a sandwich of an absorbent pad between fabric sheets.

Incontinence Diapers

Incontinence diaper also known as adult diapers are for people with loss of bladder control which typically applies to people in the age group of 70 years and more. Incontinence diapers are disposable single use products specifically designed to absorb and retain fluids. The diapers are typically made of the absorbent material of cellulose with poly-beads to convert fluid into gel. The non-woven material is placed on top for dry feeling. The baby diapers are generally available in two sizes medium and large with an overall snug fitting. The typical product characteristics are Super absorbent polymer should ensure complete dryness and prevent growth of bacteria, super absorbent should quickly convert liquid to gel, the non-woven used should be hydrophilic and absorb fluids fast.

Surgical Disposables

The surgical disposables primarily consist of masks, caps, drapes, gowns, covers and shoe covers made of polypropylene spunbond fabric (non-woven) with or without polyethylene film. Surgical disposables are used in hospitals and pharmaceutical companies to maintain hygienic and sterile operations. In India, the majority of hospitals use cotton reusable surgical wear which needs to be sterilized after every use. The medical disposables like caps, masks and shoe covers are 100% technical textile products made-up from PP spun bond or SMS non-woven fabric The functional characteristics of surgical disposables are High barrier to blood or body fluids, Lower lint than linen, Proven sterilisation performance, Comfort and breathability, Good bacteria filtration efficiency , Breathing resistance and Splash resistance. The disposable medical items are gradually replacing the reusable cotton cloth based surgical gear. With growth in the multi-specialty hospitals, medical tourism and improvement in general hygiene level at the hospitals, the demand for medical disposables is experiencing positive growth.

Surgical Dressing Material

Surgical dressing material is applied on the wound to expedite the process of healing and prevent further harm due to wound exposure. The dressing material can be primarily divided as Wound care layer and Bandage. Bandage holds the wound care layer in place. Wound care products which are adhesive in nature are also available in the market. The bandage can also be used on standalone basis in case of orthopaedic cases (e.g. crepe bandage). Typically, the wound care products consist of Absorbent pad, Non-adhering/dressing, Adhering pads or adhesive plaster.The wound contact material is available in both woven and non-woven forms. The bandage products consist of Rolled Bandage, Gauze bandage, Elastic/Non-elastic bandage, Light support bandage. The materials included under surgical dressings are: Rolled bandages, Crepe bandages, Plaster-of-Paris bandages, Absorbent gauze pack, plaster, absorbent pads and surgical pads.

Nylon tyre cord

Nylon tyre cord fabric provides strength to a tyre. The tyre industry consumes nearly 98% of the total nylon tyre cord consumption. The nylon tyre cord fabric is 100% technical textile. Nylon tyre cord fabric gradually replaced the usage of rayon and polyester cords in the tyre industry. Nylon 6 grey and dipped tyre cord fabrics having high strength, fatigue resistance, impact resistance, high adhesion characteristics, are mainly used as reinforcements of bus/truck tyres. The tyre cords are generally available with the fabric characteristics of 930dtex, 1400dtex, 1870dtex, 2100dtex. The critical specifications drive the characteristics such as breaking strength, elongation, adhesion, ply twists and hot-air shrinkage.

Seat belt webbing

Seat belts function as a safety harnesses which secure the passengers in a vehicle against harmful movements during collision or similar incidents. Seat belts minimise injuries during accidents. Seat belts are woven narrow fabric made from nylon filament yarns or high tensile polyester filament yarn. The load specification is an important criterion for usage in vehicles. At present, the seat belts, which are used in the cars, are called three-point which has single continuous length of webbing. They are called three-point because these belts help spread out energy of the moving body in a collision over the chest, pelvis and shoulders. The seat belts are made from nylon filament yarn or polyester filament yarn which is woven to produce the webbing pattern. The linear density of synthetic yarns should be between 100dtex and 3000dtex, preferably 550-1800dtex. The filament linear density should be between 5dtex and 30dtex, preferably 8-20dtex. A typical seat belt is made of 320 ends of 1,100 dtex polyester each. Most weft yarns made from polyester are 550dtex.The critical characteristics of the webbing are abrasion resistance, resistance to light and heat, capable of being removed and put back in place easily and good retraction behaviour.

Car upholstery/ Seat cover fabrics

Woven seat cover is one of the important contributors of technical textile in an automobile. With gradual improvement in vehicle models and increased emphasis on luxury and comfort, the seat cover market has witnessed uptrend in the market. Seat covers are made from cotton, vinyl, velvet and leather. The fabric used for the manufacture of seat covers is woven on looms. The desired product characteristics are durability, ultra-violet fade and wear resistance, water-proofing, flexibility and stretchableness. The type of seat cover used varies based on the automobile model and desired styling of the upholstery. The yarn required for the seat covers is in the range of 500 deniers to 1300 deniers.

Helmets

Helmets are used as protective headgear for two wheelers. The typical motorcycle helmet has an inner layer of polystyrene or polypropylene foam and an outer layer made of plastic, glass, and other synthetic fibres. The chief purpose of a helmet is to absorb the impact of a crash and thus prevent primary injury to the brain, rather than preventing skull and face fractures. The outer shell is made from Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) or Polypropylene or glass fibre plastic which is hard in nature. The inner side of the shell is expected to provide cushion to the rider and is made from regulated density concussion padding.

Polyolefin Woven Sacks

Woven sacks are manufactured out of PP/HDPE materials. These are laminated or unlamented, ultra violet stabilized TiO2, CaCO2 or anti-slip coated or as specified. They have the advantages like Higher Strength, Light Weight, Minimal Seepage, Moisture Proof, Long Lasting (Durable), cheaper (as it can be reused). Polyolefin (HDPE/PP) woven sacks are versatile packing materials used extensively in the packing of cement, fertilizers, thermo plastic raw materials, food grains, sugar, Fertilizers, Chemicals, Food Grains, Cattle Feed, Salt.

Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC)

Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC), is similar to the HDPE/PP bags but that of a larger size. FIBCs are one of the most cost effective and ideal types of packaging for shipping and storing dry bulk products. They can be produced from either tubular or flat polypropylene (PP) woven fabrics. These fabrics can be coated or uncoated and vary in terms of weights depending upon the requirements of the Safe Working Load (SWL), or Safety Factor (SF). There are three types of FIBC bags,viz Panel Type, Circular woven , Baffle type (Square bags) It is used in bulk packaging of Polymers such as PET and PVC, Petrochemicals such as DMT, PTA and polyester chips, Minerals such as bentonite, alumina, ebonite, magnesite, mineral ores like nickel, Agro-products such as wheat, rice, starch, lactose and sugar,Chemicals, such as carbon black, dyes and intermediates and fertilizers, Oil cakes (powder form), Detergents, Oat meal Clay, mica and feldspar , Cement, Pharmaceuticals , Fish meal etc.

Leno Bags

Leno bags are excellent for packing & preserving material for vegetables like potato, onion, ginger, garlic, cabbage etc. and fruits like pineapple, citrus fruits, raw mango, coconut etc. The Leno bags have widths between 20cm to 72cm. The length also varies as per the customer's requirements. The mesh again is as per requirement with a maximum of 574 tapes in the warp in different colors. Leno bags on an average weigh 50g (or less). Leno bags has the advantages like Superior aesthetics, excellent mechanical properties, Chemically Inert, Ease in handling & storage, Reuse & recyclable and cost effective. There is great potential for the leno bags in India and the reasons are Suitable for dry skin vegetables like Potato (3rd biggest producer), Onion, Garlic etc. India is the 2nd biggest producer of fruit and vegetables in the world, which has still not been captured by Leno bags suitable for cold storage

Wrapping Fabric

Wrapping fabric is made out of HDPE/PP, cotton canvas, etc. Unlaminated PP/HDPE Woven Fabric is mainly used for wrapping of paper rolls, paper bundles, steel coils, tyres, yarn cones etc. The fabric is generally packed in roll form and can be run on automatic cutting and stitching machines. Clear Woven Sheets (Natural Woven Laminated Sheets) are used for packing of used clothes etc. These sheets are see through and are mainly used as a wrapping material. Lumber Cloth is a wide width fabric used to cover huge logs of wood. It can either be one side or both side laminated. It can be printed or non-printed as is available in roll form. These fabrics are widely used in industries such as paper bundles, wrapping of paper rolls, steel coils, yarn cones, tyres etc.

Soft Luggage

Soft luggage is made out of woven fabrics like nylon and polyester. It comprises of uprights, totes, duffle and sky bags which can be with or without wheels and handles. The soft luggage today is becoming very popular due to the ease of carry as it is light and flexible. It includes handbags, military backpacks, athletic backpacks, wallets, briefcases and other soft sided luggage items. Due to cost effectiveness and light weight, more and more people are shifting from hard luggage to soft goods. The price of a soft luggage in the organized market ranges from Rs 800 to Rs. 9,000 depending upon its size, raw material, etc.

Jute Hessian

Jute Hessian also termed as Burlap is a finer quality jute fabric that has been long used as the most preferred packaging material for all kinds of goods. Hessian is used for bags and many other coarse fabric uses such as wrappers, wall coverings, etc. Presently shopping bags are being made out of hessian fabrics. It is also used in the upholstery and home furniture. A plain weave cloth made wholly of Jute with single warp and weft interwoven, weighing not more than 576 g/m2. Hessian fabrics are lighter than sacking fabrics. A range of heavy jute fabrics either in plain or twill weaves manufactured by using coarse jute fiber in larger percentage than used for manufacturing tarpaulin, hessian or such light fabrics. Jute bagging material is in demand because of the openness of the weave, which allows air to circulate while protecting the contents. Sacking bags, specifically used for the purpose of storing agro-based products, are known as Hydro carbon free bags that have been treated with vegetable oils to destroy the harmful effect of hydrocarbons. Thus sacking bags have great demand not just in the cement industry but also in the agro-based industries.

Tea Bags

Tea bags are sold by organised tea producers to the high-end consumers. Tea bags consist of a filter paper pouch with a thread, which holds the tea powder and a tag. The tea bag is dipped in hot water / milk to produce the beverage. The two major marketers of tea bags in India are Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and Tata Tea Limited. Tea bag filter paper is made with a blend of wood and vegetable fibers. The vegetable fiber is bleached pulp abaca hemp, a small plantation tree grown for the fiber, mostly in the Philippines and Colombia. Heat-sealed tea bag paper usually has a heat-sealable thermoplastic such as PVC or polypropylene, as a component fiber (100% non-woven technical textile) on inner side of the teabag surface. The filter paper used for making tea-bags is a 12-17 GSM non-woven material. The heat-sealing type tea-bag paper is of 16.5 to 17 GSM approx while the non-heat sealed tea-bag paper is around 12 – 13 GSM.

Industrial Gloves

Industrial hand gloves serve as an item of protective apparel for workers in factories. They are classified under Cut-Slash Protection as well as Thermal Protection. Gloves are best for protection from rough objects, sparks and heat, and for cushioning from blows in heavy-duty work requirements. Hand gloves are of various types (leather, knitted, nitrile) and sizes (varying gauges). The materials that go in the production of hand gloves vary from cotton fabrics and asbestos to variety of leathers, p-aramid etc. Gloves are widely used in Industry and Defence (Cut-Slash protection). Due to rapid industrialization, the use of industrial hand gloves is expected to grow considerably. The gloves used for industrial and general purposes are categories as Leather gloves, Knitted gloves, Non-latex gloves e.g. Nitrile gloves, Rubber/Latex gloves .The leather, knitted and nitrile gloves are used in industrial applications for protection and have accordingly been discussed in this section. The rubber/latex gloves are used for surgical purpose. The typical characteristics of gloves are like Mild heat resistance, High abrasion protection, Better grip with anti slip coating, Comfortable and durable, Protection against cut and hot splash, for gloves made from Aramid (para) –temperature tolerance ranges from 250 to 750 Centigrade, Nitrile gloves provide chemical splash protection. Other than leather gloves the artificial fibres used for industrial gloves include: Kevlar (Para-aramid), Spectra, Basofil and Dyneema.

High altitude clothing

High altitude clothing are used for protection against extreme weather conditions like extremely low temperature, high velocity winds, snow fall etc. especially in critical combat areas like Siachen. The clothing at high altitudes needs to meet both functional and comfort properties. High altitude clothing is also known as Extreme cold climate clothing (ECC). The high altitude clothing consists of jacket, waist coat, trousers, glacier cap, rappelling gloves and glacier gloves. The gear typically weight of special clothing is around nine to ten kilograms. The typical characteristics of high altitude clothing are like Hydrophilic - Waterproof and moisture resistant, Breathable, Abrasion resistance, Maintain high integrity, Resistance to quick wear and tear. The material used for these clothing is typically hydrophilic polyurethane coating, Gore-Tex coating or Sympatex coating. The hydrophilic properties are introduced by these coatings or laminates. Microporous coatings or laminates can be produced by mechanical fibrillation, phase separation, solvent extraction or solvent exchange.

Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC)

Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC) is used for protection from chemical and physical hazards. The chemicals get absorbed into the human body by two ways Physical contact-The chemicals gets absorbed through the skin, Inhalation the chemicals in gaseous state get absorbed in to the body through breathing. Chemical protective clothing is used for protection of the whole body against toxic chemicals which manifest their effect by absorption through skin. The durable Chemical protective clothing is made of non-permeable textile fabrics (PVC/Rubber coated fabrics).The protection is achieved by blocking the penetration and permeation of the chemicals through the fabrics in the clothing. This is an effective method for providing sufficient protection to professionals from contact of toxic chemicals. The carbon-containing material developed so far includes carbon-coated non-woven fabric, carbon-impregnated polyurethane foam, hard carbon microsphere-adhered woven fabric and activated charcoal cloth

High visibility clothes

Hazardous material (Hazmat) suits were designed to protect users handling hazardous waste material such chemicals, radioactive material etc. A more specialized variety of these suits are NBC (Nuclear Biological and Chemical) suits. Developed to protect soldiers, these are designed to protect the user in a hostile environment with chemical/biological agents and against radioactive fallout dust. The suits are designed to be worn for extended periods while continuing to operate in a combat environment. The NBC suit consists of a trouser and jacket and can be used directly over the under garments. The suit is permeable and allows evaporation of sweat (breathable). The suit is made of three layers; Inner layer: Fabric cotton, Middle layer: Active charcoal treated non-woven. Outer layer: Fabric with chemical and fire retardant fibres (inherently retardant). The physical characteristics of the NBC suit are Fire/Heat/Cold/Water repellent outer fabric, Breathable, Effective in the temperature range of -35°C to +55°C, Resistance to wear and tear – high abrasion resistance , Can be decontaminated at least two times, Washable, Shelf life of five to seven years.

Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) suits/Hazmat suits

High visibility clothes (also known as Reflective-wear) have become very essential for the protection of people working in poorly lit environments like mines, highways, airport runways, cyclist etc. In the dark, the high visibility clothing increases the ability to spot working and guiding personnel. There are broadly three types of high visibility clothing Reflection materials which shine when struck by light, Photo luminescent material which give yellow light in dark, Fluorescent material which is more visible even during the day Photo luminescent materials absorb the artificial light and emit green-yellow light in the darkness. The major market for these products is primarily the Armed Forces and to a lesser extent NBC Emergency response units (National Disaster Management Authority)/Central Paramilitary Units/Other Civil Defence units etc.

Fire /Flame retardant apparel

The fire/flame retardant apparels have an industrial need as they offer protection from fire and other heat intensive tasks. Flame, heat and splashes of molten metal etc. are hazards in many heavy engineering working conditions. The fire retardant apparels are used in refineries, iron and steel plants, aluminum plants and welding industries. The fire retardant apparels can be manufactured from two varieties of fabric: 100% cotton fabric with flame retardant coating or fabric made of inherently flame retardant fibre. The typical characteristics of the apparel are like Flame resistance – must not catch fire, Should be breathable, Easy to wear, Light weight, Should have high abrasion resistance.

Fire/Flame retardant fabrics (for furnishings)

The normal textile consists of highly ignitable materials and turn into primary source of fire percolation in case of a break-out. However fabrics are required for aesthetic appeal. Fire retardant fabrics per form both the task of providing aesthetics to the surroundings and preventing spread of fire. The there are typically two major categories of fire retardant fabrics which are coated fabric and inherently fire retardant fabric. The fire retardant fabrics are primarily of two types, 100% cotton fabric with coating of fire retardant chemical, inherently fire retardant fabric. The cotton fabrics are coated with fire retardant chemical in a bath which results in a layer of fire retardant getting formed on the cotton surface. The typical characteristics of the fire retardant fabric are like Very low fume toxicity in fire, High tear and abrasion resistance, Breathable and comfortable, Anti decay and Anti mould, Crease resistance, High dimensional stability, No fading and excellent colour tone. The key industries which drive the off-take of fire retardant fabric are all building and constructions need to get fire safety clearance from the fire department. However these clearances are more from the construction perspective rather than furnishing perspective. With boom in retail and real estate there has been rapid emergence of shopping complex, malls, cinema multiplex etc. There is need of fire retardant fabrics in these areas from the security point of view. Airlines, Railways and Ships are another key market, Office furnishings and hospitals and another key sector. The fabrics find application in curtains, sheers, upholstery, stage curtains, blankets, bedding, wall coverings and blinds.

Bullet-proof jacket

Ballistic protection involves protection of the wearer‘s body and eyes against projectiles and fragments of various shapes, size and impact velocity. The projectiles are a part of ammunition shot through weapons such as pistols, revolvers and rifles. Ballistic protection equipments have been used for ages, the earliest form of protection was metallic suit. The ballistic protection equipments evolved from metallic to natural fibre fabric (layers of silk). With the advent of synthetic fibres, all the ballistic protection equipment was made using synthetic fibres like aromatic polyamide (Aramid), Ultra High Modulus Polyethylene (UHMPE) and p - phenylene-2, 6-benzobisoxazole (PBO).The bullet-proof jackets are made from Aramid, Nylon 66, UHMPE, Carbon fibres or PBO. Each jacket has about 0.6 square metres of non-woven material weighing around 750 GSM. Bulk of the jacket is made from woven material as the combination of weave and the fibre characteristics influence the energy absorption characteristics of bullet-proof jacket. The synthetic fibre (Aramid) used in production of bullet-proof jackets is primarily imported (DSM Netherlands/DuPont etc) with the exception of carbon glass fibre With the rising trend of crime, violence and terrorism, the demand for bullet-proof jackets is rising as well. The major customers of bullet-proof jackets are Defence, Paramilitary forces engaged in counter terrorism/insurgency operations and Law enforcement agencies (police).

Parachute Fabrics

A parachute is a device used to slow the descent of a falling body or load. A parachute consists of four main components: parachute canopy, rip-cords, suspension lines and the harness. Parachute canopies are primarily made of high tensile nylon multi-filament fibres, generally ripstop woven, from 32 to 200 deniers. Harness, webbing, tapes etc are made-up of high tensile nylon yarn (denier range 210 to 840 denier) as nylon has the highest strength to weight ratio. Parachutes can be broadly classified into three categories based on usage: Defence, aero-sports and space vehicles. The parachutes applications in defence are Emergency Escape Parachute Assemblies for aircrafts with fixed seats or assisted, escape seats; Personnel Restraint Harness for seated or moving crew members, Airborne Forces Parachute Assemblies including Reserve parachutes, Aerial Delivery (Supply Dropping) Parachute Assemblies, Aircraft Landing Brake and Anti-Spin Parachute Assemblies, Parachute devices for flares, markers, bombs and other munitions. Parachutes are used in aero sports like parasailing/ parascending (the person is towed behind a vehicle and attains flight of hundreds of feet above ground), Sky diving etc.

Sports Composites Market

Sports composites usage in India includes boxing equipments, inflatable balls and protective equipments for cricket. Boxing equipments consist of Boxing Gloves, Boxing Punching Gloves, Boxing Head Guards, Boxing Punching Pads, Abdominal Guard, Speed Ball, Punching Bag etc. Inflatable balls consist of football, volleyball, basketball, handball etc. Footballs account for 50% of the market of inflatable balls. Footballs have varying sizes i.e. Size-3, Size-4 and Size-5. Circumference for size 5 is 68.5cm to 69.5cm. Official weight of the football is 420~445 grams with ball pressure of 0.8 bar. Protective equipments for cricket comprise of leg-guards, batting gloves, wicket keeping gloves, thigh pads, helmets, caps & hats, cricket kit bags etc Indian sporting goods industry is concentrated primarily in the cottage and small-scale sector. It is a highly labour intensive industry and also employs a large number of women as well Most of the units work on a job work basis for the major manufacturers/exporters and also sell their produce to wholesalers who in turn sell these equipments to sports goods retailers.

Artificial turf

Artificial turf or synthetic turf is a man-made surface manufactured from synthetic materials with appearance similar to natural grass. It is used for making world-class surfaces for playing sports (especially hockey and soccer) which are normally played on grass. It is also used indoors or outdoors for landscaping. Artificial turf is considered a safe alternative to natural grass; The system consists of various layers - the pile fibers & backing cloth, shock absorbing layer and the supporting base. The foam is made of a closed-cell polymer alloy like polyurethane, typically 1/2 inch in height and perforated for vertical drainage. The hockey stadiums account for most of the consumption of artificial turf in India. It also finds use in use indoor or outdoor las, Balconies, Atriums, Home and Corporate Lawns, Hotels and Resorts, Club Houses, Jogging / Walking Tracks, Shopping Malls, Traffic Islands, Road Medians, Kids‘ play area etc.

Automobiles

Composites used in automobiles are a very wide variety of products. Composites such as glass and carbon are used in auto motives. This is however, very specific to the mode of transport considered, i.e. composites used in conventional automobiles, railways, shipping industry and aviation differ from each other significantly. In this composite, are used mainly for two attributes – high strength and lightweight. Both these attributes are mostly contributed by aramid and carbon fibres and find heavy application in the shipping and aviation industry. Other than these, glass fibres used in the automotive sector are used in railways and in luxury buses.

Technical Textile Segments

Bird Protection Nets

Plant Nets