SVKM’s NMIMS Centre for Textile Functions Successfully Organises International Conference on “Futuristic Trends in Textiles – 2026”

The International Conference on “Futuristic Trends in Textiles – 2026 (FTT-2026)” was successfully organised on 27th and 28th March 2026 at the Centre for Textile Functions (CTF), under NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur Campus. The conference was conducted in hybrid mode (online and offline) in collaboration with The Textile Association (India).

The two-day international event witnessed participation from more than 150 students, academicians, researchers, and industry experts representing 13 textile institutes from across India, along with eminent international speakers, making it a significant platform for global knowledge exchange in the field of textiles.

Objectives of the Conference

The conference aimed to:

• Provide a platform for researchers, academicians, and industry professionals to share innovative ideas and research findings
• Highlight emerging trends in artificial intelligence, sustainability, and advanced textile technologies
• Strengthen industry-academia collaboration
• Encourage students to engage in research and innovation in textile engineering

Leadership and Guidance

The event was organised under the guidance of SVKM leadership, including Hon’ble Chancellor and former Minister Mr Amrishbhai Patel, Co-President Mr Bhupeshbhai Patel, Vice President Mr Chintanbhai Patel, Management Committee Member Mr Rajgopal Bhandari, Campus In-charge Mrs Rita Patel, and Campus Director Dr Sunita Patil.

Inauguration Ceremony

The conference was inaugurated with Saraswati Poojan and ceremonial lamp lighting in the presence of distinguished guests. The dignitaries included Vice President of the Textile Association of India and industrialist Mr Mahendrabhai Patel, Representative Director – India (Mumbai Frontier Cool, Taiwan) Dr Vijay D. Gotmare, Country Director of Clean Globe, Mumbai, Mr Abhishek S. Kamble, Campus Director Dr Sunita Patil, Assistant Dean Dr Vijay Shivankar, and General Manager of Disan Tex Fab Mr L. C. Patil.

In his address, Mr Mahendrabhai Patel, Guest of Honour of the conference, emphasised that students should not rely solely on job opportunities but should also explore entrepreneurship and innovation in the textile sector.

Dr Sunita Patil highlighted that in the era of automation and artificial intelligence, equal importance must be given to sustainability and innovation in smart textiles. She stated that such conferences provide an effective platform for researchers, academicians, and experts to present their ideas and research work.

Dr Vijay Shivankar mentioned that the Centre for Textile Functions (CTF) plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between industry and academia by offering industry-oriented programs, thereby creating opportunities for both rural and urban students in textile education and research.

Technical Sessions and Expert Talks

The two-day conference featured renowned experts, academicians, and researchers from India and abroad. The conference included keynote lectures, plenary sessions, and technical paper presentations.

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Lars Hahn, Full Professor of Sustainable Textile Materials Engineering, Hof University of Applied Sciences, Hof, Germany, delivered a session on “From 2D to 3D Textile Technologies for Fiber Composites.”
• Dr Nimesh Kankariya, Director, Texmat Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand, spoke on “Technical Textiles: Trends and Future Innovation.”
• Dr Vijay D. Gotmare, Representative Director – India, Mumbai Frontier.cool Inc., Taiwan, and Former Professor & Head, Textile Manufactures Department, VJTI, Mumbai, India, delivered the keynote lecture on “The Intelligent Textile Era: AI-Driven Innovation for a Sustainable Apparel Future.”
• Dr Javed Sheikh, Associate Professor, Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi, India, presented research on advanced functional textiles.
• Mr Abhishek Shankar Kamble, Country Director – India, Clean Globe, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, discussed “Sustainability Certification in Textiles.”
• Mr Baiju Babu, Regional Product Manager, Rieter India Private Limited, Pune, Maharashtra, India, delivered a session on “Digital and Automation,” highlighting the role of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 in modern spinning processes.
• Mr Shridhar Kane, Regional Product Manager, Rieter India Private Limited, Pune, Maharashtra, India, spoke on “Potential for Sustainable Spinning,” focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable yarn production practices.
• Mr Deepak S. Karade, Senior Manager – Sales, A.T.E. India Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, presented on “Technical Textiles,” emphasising how engineering precision, functionality, and performance are redefining product value and driving transformation in the textile sector.
• Mr Amar Surve, Deputy General Manager – Sales, A.T.E. India Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, spoke on “Sustainable Nonwovens,” discussing eco-friendly nonwoven materials using cotton and pulp-based systems with industrial applications.
• Mr Manish Mashilkar, Senior Manager – Sales, A.T.E. India Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, delivered insights on “Composites and Geotextile Machinery,” detailing recent machinery innovations with practical examples from industry applications.

Technical Paper Presentation Competition

During the technical paper presentation competition held as part of the conference, students demonstrated outstanding performance and were recognised for their excellence. The presentations were conducted in two tracks—Track I for undergraduate students and Track II for postgraduate students.

A total of 70 papers were presented in Track I and 31 papers in Track II, with participation from more than 150 students representing 13 textile institutes across India.

The selected research papers will be published in Scopus-indexed journals, namely the Journal of Textile Association and Man-Made Textiles in India, contributing significantly to academic research dissemination.

Awards and Recognition

At the undergraduate level, Barath Balaji R.N., Bhoomika V., Nandhini R., Sejal Nakati, and Varad Prasad Deulkar received prizes for their commendable research contributions.

At the postgraduate level, Prof. Ashish Hulle, Dr Subhankar Maity, and Adamali Shaukatali Ansari were also awarded prizes for their exceptional work.

These recognitions reflect the high quality of research, innovation, and practical relevance demonstrated by the participants.

Conference Outcomes and Impact

The conference served as an effective platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration between academia and industry. The discussions highlighted key emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, smart textiles, and advanced materials.

Participants gained valuable insights into industry trends, research opportunities, and technological advancements, thereby enhancing their academic and professional development.

Coordination and Support

The conference was successfully coordinated by Dr Sujit Gulhane and Dr Prafulla Kolte under the guidance of Dr Sunita Patil and Dr Vijay Shivankar. Administrative Officer Mr Shivaji Gayakwad and his team played a vital role in the smooth execution of the event.

The event was made possible with the collective efforts of all CTF faculty members, staff, and student representatives.

The management and leadership appreciated the successful organisation of the conference. The overwhelming response and active participation highlight the growing importance of such platforms in advancing textile research and innovation.

Building on the success of FTT-2026, the institute aims to continue organising such international conferences in the future to strengthen global collaboration, promote sustainable practices, and foster innovation in the textile sector.