Interview with Mr SS Iyer

Mr SS Iyer
Mr SS Iyer
President
TT: How do you foresee development of nonwovens sector in India and what will be its impact on overall fibre consumption?

The growth of the non wovens sector will have a direct impact on the fibre sector, particularly the polypropylene and polyester fibre segment. However, the share of polypropylene fibres in nonwovens industries in US and Europe is higher than that of polyester, while the consumption of virgin polyester/reprocessed polyester fibres is more than polypropylene fibres in India. Nonwovens are rapidly growing in the following areas – 1) Automobile segment – cars, carpets, acoustic/thermal insulation, backing for tufted carpets, liner for trunks, storage box, filters, and seat upholstery. 2) Hygiene products – Disposable diapers, female hygiene products and adult incontinence products. 3) Civil Engineering geotextiles – Road under lays, erosion control, canal lining, artificial turfs and pavement overlays. 4) Filtration - Dust filters, liquid filters, oil filters, air conditioner filters and filters for pharmaceutical producers. 5) Medical textiles – Disposable and surgical apparel, shoulder pads, gloves, etc. 6) Consumer products – Reusable carry bags, vacuum cleaner bags, tea bags, wipes, carpets and bath mats.

TT: Which other fibres find a place in production of technical textile and nonwoven fabrics and in which applications?

A wide range of fibres – both synthetic and natural are used in the production of nonwoven fabrics. The traditional fibres are polyester, polypropylene, cotton, rayon and wool. Hitech fibres like Aramid fibres, Bicomponent fibres, super absorbent fibres, spandex, glass and nano fibres. However of all, polypropylene fibres have very good characteristics like hydrophobic, voluminous and thermoplastic. Polyester fibres are used where strength and mechanical properties are of prime importance. Bicomponent fibres are used in thermally bonded nonwoven fabrics and super absorbent fibres are used in hygienic products.

TT: Do you expect the Indian nonwovens industry to chart its own course and research and invent new fabrics and applications or follow the model set by European and US nonwoven producers?

India has a large textile manufacturing base and has the potential to become a leading producer and exporter of nonwoven products. The cooperation between fibre suppliers and nonwoven fibre producers is an important factor for the growth of the industry. Unlike Europe and USA, the technical textiles industry in India is still at a nascent stage and is widely fragmented. This leads to lower production and high cost. Product knowledge and expertise too are available to a limited extent. Investment in latest technology for production of nonwoven products is essential for the sector to chart its own course. Till that time, the industry will have to follow the model set up by European and US producers.

TT: Considering that nonwovens sector could be a major consumer in the near future, do you have any expansion plans to keep up with the demand?

Anticipating more demand for polypropylene fibres from the growing nonwovens sector, we have recently doubled and increased our production capacity in June 2012. Currently we have an installed capacity of 8,400 tons per annum, which was doubled from 4,200 tons per year. The use of geo textiles in major infrastructure projects need policy guidelines, regulations and standardization, which makes use of polypropylene fibres mandatory in applications where sturdy and tough fabrics are needed for particular applications in railways, roads, etc.

TT: The burgeoning Indian nonwovens sector has opened up a wide range of applications for polypropylene fibres manufactured by you. How has Zenith taken advantage of this development?

Polypropylene staple fibres manufactured by Zenith Fibres are suitable for use in nonwoven carded needle felt fabrics. Currently, we are selling around 75 percent of our polypropylene fibres production to the nonwovens sector, while the rest is sold to conventional textile producers.

Published on: 03/11/2012

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