India’s history of textile production weaves a tapestry of culture and freedom, and the industry is a vital source of income for the nation.Viscose, a synthetic fibre with rising demand worldwide, is a recent development in India’s textile history. A biodegradable fibre, it can be used in place of silk and cotton. Because it is less expensive but has comparable qualities, viscose is known as “poor people’s silk.”
With the creation of viscose, not only the “poor” consumers but also the fabric weavers have discovered a new source of income. Several weavers switched to creating fabric made of viscose or a blend of viscose as a result of an increase in the cost of natural fibres like cotton. Cotton continues to dominate the Indian textile industry, which has limits in supply. Since food is a top priority, cotton acreage cannot be increased. As a result, viscose-blend cotton is being increasingly used as an effective substitute. The Indian weavers now have renewed optimism because to viscose. Consumption of viscose fibre is steadily increasing, with a market increase of a strong 37% from 542 KT (Thousand tonnes) in 2021 to 744 KT in 2022. This was only achievable because the Indian textile value chain had affordable access to viscose fibre on the global market. In India, viscose accounts for 16.5% of total manufactured fibre sales. In addition to being less expensive, its demand is also influenced by its adaptability in design and use. Yet in addition to supporting weavers, it is crucial to make sure that there are protections that are conducive rather than protective. in the natural world. The restricted supply of viscose staple fibre as a raw material is one problem affecting the viscose value chain (VSF).
India has a small number of manufacturers of VSF, with one significant company providing more than 90% of the market. Thus, a lot of weavers depend on imported fibre. It offers these weavers brand-new options so they may remain in the market and compete.
Antidumping taxes
The imminent introduction of anti-dumping duties on imports of VSF is a development that can be harmful to viscose weavers. The application of this tax will make it much harder and more expensive for the weavers to obtain the fibre. 2010 saw the initial introduction of anti-dumping duties on VSF, and This duty, which accounts for 75% of India’s production of man-made cellulose yarn, could seriously impede the state’s development and jeopardise the livelihood of the 31 lakh rural textile workers who work there. While the purchase of the fibre, which is the core of the value chain, would be impacted, the duty will also have an effect on the entire fabric value chain. The fabric of the future is also viscose. It is extensively employed in emerging textile industry segments like technical textiles and medical textiles. More significantly, because viscose is biodegradable, it is a sustainable option. Hence, an anti-dumping duty is not the solution to India’s expanding viscose industry. Instead, we demand emancipatory policies that guarantee weavers may obtain the necessary materials. raw elements that are equally accessible. This can only be guaranteed if there is unrestricted market competition. In order for prices to remain the same regardless of where a weaver purchases their fibre, we need to create a fair playing field in the industry.
India’s textile history is being woven with viscose, which has already established itself as a significant source of income. It is past time to give the nation’s textile value chain the much-needed boost.
