Surat built its textile economy on sarees, dress materials and other fashion fabrics made from polyester and other man-made fibres. With yarn, power and labour costs rising this year and fashion demand uneven, local industry bodies are increasingly urging weavers to look at a different market: technical textiles.
What technical textiles are
Technical textiles are fabrics made for performance rather than looks. They are used in defence gear, medical products, construction and geotextiles, sports goods and infrastructure. Many of them are made from the same synthetic yarns that Surat already processes in huge volumes.
What the industry is saying
At the Technical Textiles Conclave held in Surat in May 2026 by the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) and the Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA), speakers made the case for diversification:
- Ashok Jirawala, vice-president of SGCCI, urged entrepreneurs to move beyond traditional textiles and pointed to the national mission for technical textiles.
- S.P. Verma, a former additional textile commissioner, advised businesses to plan the shift over the next five to ten years and said high-end performance yarn could make India a global leader.
- Dr. Nandan Kumar of ITTA said India's MSMEs need to move from basic polymers to high-performance fibres.
Support under Gujarat's policy
J.B. Dave, general manager of the District Industries Centre, said the Gujarat textile policy gives special priority to technical textiles, with capital, power and interest subsidies, and extra benefits for units that use renewable energy. He also warned that exporters will need to upgrade processes to meet international rules such as the European Union's planned carbon tax.
Some Surat units already make technical products: in November 2024, the Union Textiles Minister saw parachute fabric, thermal protective jackets and army gear being made at a factory in Surat district.