Natural fibres need more research on functionalities because these fibres are being increasingly used in technical textiles. Cotton and jute need to be explored. All fibres cannot be used to produce tech- nical textiles because of their mechanical and chemical properties. Some fibres have been selected for making technical textile for their special properties. Sustainability in technical textiles is emerging as a potential area. Sisal fibre largely imported from South Africa holds out scope. Product and technology should match. Innovation out of raw materials is less than what is required in today’s vast growing market. Renewable fibres are a great asset in this field.
Suresh Kotak’s formula is:Identify functions, go back and find out the right natural fibre. Cotton—its function came by itself, and to- day China has stolen a march over many others in wipes & masks. Another example is by coating cotton with some materials, it can be converted into a material for various repellents. In India, minds are traditional bound. Bamboo fibres are an insecticide, naturally. A cotton research body has 39 innovative uses, but has not been ap- proached for commercial purpose. Cotton coated with acrylic is used for conveyor belts. In order to bring down the cost of production of some new material, innovation in technology is a prerequisite.
Environmental damages are made by materials like plastics. An al- ternative with cotton and other natural fibres can be tried out. For instance, why still jute and PP are used for packaging cotton bales, resulting in contamination. A good cotton packaging material can be realised by R&D. Super Hybridisation must be part of our vision. To achieve all these, we should incentivise inventions. Innovations from institutions like VJTI and CIRCOT must be encouraged.
During the last few years, the use of technical textiles has made rapid strides. Natural, synthetic, and high-performance fibres are being used in many technical textile applications. The application and use of natural, synthetic, and high-performance fibres and for Indutech, Hometech, Clothtech, Buildtech, Packtech, and Oekotech. As the strength of natural fibres is not so good, the use of synthetic and high-performance fibres is increasing in industrial and techni- cal products. One of the major applications of technical textiles is in the filtration media. The performance of a specific filter is based on the selection of fibre, textile material, and the way they have been assembled. The properties of fluid for which the filter has to be de- signed must be considered carefully as well. Human beings have been using regular clothing to protect themselves from a very hot and cold environment. The workers in some occupations (like military, po- lice, firefighting, and healthcare) are exposed to different hazards, so they are required to wear protecting textile clothing. Today the people around the world have become more educated with higher liv- ing standards. Therefore, the use of high technology products, which offer enhanced performance, durability, hygienic conditions, and aes- thetic, has become the need of the day. The demand for eco-friendly and bio-degradable packaging is growing now as they have a great impact on human health and the environment. The use of natural fibres for environmental protection is not new. While the use of syn- thetic and high-performance fibres for environmental protection is a revolutionary change in the current century. One of its uses is in protecting the crops and soil artificially by weather changes to in- crease productivity. The new and advanced developments for envi- ronmental protection will keep on increasing across the world in the coming years. The scope for natural fibres, of which India has plenty, is increasing too.
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