Being one of the leading textile research and testing facilities in India, The Bombay Textile Research Association (BTRA) already has a wide range of sophisticated equipment for research and testing in the field of technical textiles and allied fields. Under the able leadership of Dr T.V. Sreekumar, Director, BTRA has set-up the nation’s first and unique high-performance Fibre research facility under the “National Technical Textile Mission” with carbon nanotubes reinforced PAN precursor spinning-cum-testing facility to promote and support the manufacturing of world-class carbon fibre in India on the pilot scale with leading cutting-edge technologies. It was indeed a proud moment as this research facility was inaugurated on 14th July, 2022 by Mr. Upendra P. Singh, Textile Secretary, GOI along with Ms. Roop Rashi, Textile Commissioner, GOI and S. K. Saraf, Chairman, BTRA Governing Council. Other prominent dignitaries including Mr. V. K. Kohli, Jt. Textile Commissioner, Mr. S. P. Varma, Addl.. Textile Commissioner, P. K. Agarwal, CMD, CCI and Mr. Ajit B. Chavan, Secretary, Textile Committee also graced the occasion. During the interaction, Mr. Upendra P. Singh, Textile Secretary & Ms. Roop Rashi, Textile Commissioner, GOI congratulated and appreciated BTRA’s initiative in developing these facilities.
These facilities consist of DMA and TMA facility which has a wide application for all types of technical textiles and materials. BTRA is in process of procuring a PAN-precursor spinning machine to promote high-performance PAN precursor spinning. Other research and testing facilities consist of polarised optical microscope, dynamic mechanical analyser, thermo-mechanical analyser, high shear homogeniser, Brookfield viscometer and high-frequency probe sonicator. The vision behind establishing these facilities in BTRA is to provide cost-effective solutions of nano-filler reinforced fibres for high performance and Industry implementation.
Over the years, BTRA has been in the forefront in carrying out advance research in the futuristic technologies, viz. plasma, conductive, E-beam, nano-technology, besides others. Now, it is another step forward by BTRA in the ‘Made in India’ initiatives, by establishing such world-class research facility.
