Textile production in India.

In threads and colors, India weaves its heritage, offering a varied palette of textiles, ranging from cotton to linen, from silk to synthetic fibers. Artisans and workers, guardians of traditions, while the industry is modernizing to meet contemporary challenges of sustainability and competitiveness. How is this harmony between tradition and modernity expressed in the Indian textile industry?

Textile industry in India: diversity, tradition, labor and sustainability

The textile industry in India is notable for its diversity of textiles, ranging from cotton to silk, traditional craftsmanship preserved through techniques like handloom weaving and natural dyeing, and its large workforce encompassing rural artisans and factory workers. It exports heavily to key markets such as the United States and the European Union, while integrating modern technologies to increase productivity. Additionally, a growing focus on sustainability and innovation in fashion speaks to its dynamic evolution within the global industry.

The weight of the Tamil Nadu textile industry in India: employment, exports and social challenges.

The Sumangali system in Tamil Nadu, introduced a decade ago, hires unmarried girls from poor rural areas as textile workers for three years. They are housed at the factory and receive between 30,000 and 50,000 rupees (500 to 800 euros) when they leave to pay their dowry. Tamil Nadu, with more than 60 million inhabitants, is an important center of the textile industry in India, particularly in Coimbatore and Tirupur, which exports mainly to Europe and the United States.
The KPR textile group, on its 5 production sites, made 28 million euros in profits for turnover of 139 million in 2009, employing around 10,000 people in total. The textile industry represents 4% of India's GDP, 14% of its industrial production and 17% of its export revenues. India's textile industry is the country's second-largest employer after agriculture, providing work for more than 35 million people, many of them women and members of lower castes. The social audit makes it possible to control, by an external firm, compliance with working conditions by subcontractors, although its effectiveness is contested.

Ambitious growth of the Indian textile industry: Objectives and Forecasts for 2030.

The Indian textile industry is ambitious for the future. Exports are expected to increase by 81% by 2026, reaching €65 billion. The home textiles market is also expected to grow from €9.60 billion in 2024 to €15.36 billion by 2029. India is already a major supplier to the EU, with exports up 15% in clothing and 36% in textile materials. With a workforce of 45 million, 70% of whom are women, the textile industry becomes the second largest employer in the country. The Indian government is supporting this growth through various initiatives, aiming to double textile turnover by 2030 to reach 350 billion euros, with production of 250 billion euros and exports of 100 billion euros.

The Indian textile industry embodies a delicate balance between heritage and innovation, between respect for traditions and adaptation to modern challenges. This fascinating dynamic shows that the past and future can seamlessly intertwine, providing inspiring insight into the human capacity to evolve while honoring our roots.