Technical textiles has a huge potential, and the Asia-Pacific region is a very large and important market for the same. Geotextiles, which is a part of technical textiles, is in nurturing stage, but it also has a huge potential, according to ManMohan Singh, co-chairman, FICCI Committee on Textiles and Technical Textiles & Group Executive President & CMO, Grasim Industries Ltd.

Geotextiles are useful in civil engineering, and are also promoted under the National Technical Textiles Mission, Singh said while speaking during a Panel Discussion on 'Geotechnical Textiles: Advancements and Sustainability', organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) at the ongoing Bharat Tex 2024.

Speaking at the same event, Rajiv Saxena, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, said that the global market for geotextiles is valued at $12.3 billion, and the market in India is only $0.41 billion.

He said that geotextiles are very important for construction of roads, railways, dams, and also for controlling soil erosion. He added that jute is also very useful for these activities. In fact, geotextiles and jute are alternative to conventional construction materials, and they reduce consumption of the materials. Institutions like railway, water, road, aviation agencies and ministries procure geotextiles. However, quality and performance are very important in geotextiles.