TAI Mumbai Conference Charts Course for Indian Textiles Toward 2030

The Textile Association (India), Mumbai Unit, organised an International Conference on Textiles 2030 — Navigating Geopolitics, Technology Innovations, and Global Expectations on 30th January 2026, at Hotel The Lalit, Mumbai. The event drew 350 delegates from manufacturers, exporters, designers, technology providers, academicians, and policy stakeholders.

Mr V. C. Gupte, Chairman, TAI Mumbai Unit and Convener, welcomed Chief Guest Ms Roop Rashi (IAS), CEO, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Government of India, along with the Guest of Honour, speakers, awardees, and delegates. Gupte underlined that the industry is at a critical juncture shaped by geopolitical shifts, technology, sustainability, and changing trade frameworks. He flagged the India–EU FTA as an exporters' opportunity, urged a shift toward value-added products, and stressed the need for ESG awareness.

Mr Rajiv Ranjan, President, TAI Mumbai Unit, noted that geopolitics, trade realignments, sustainability, and technological disruption are now as influential as cost and quality. Referring to U.S. tariff actions, he said "trade today is increasingly shaped by alignment and perception," calling Textiles 2030 a mindset rather than a milestone. Mr R. K. Vij, President, Textile Association (India), stressed strategic planning and policy alignment. Mr G. V. Aras, Conference Chairman and Trustee, TAI Mumbai Unit, briefed delegates on a programme curated to address the theme from perspectives of industry, MSMEs, and international stakeholders.

Mr Prashant Agarwal, Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director, Wazir Advisors Pvt. Ltd., delivered the Keynote Address, noting India's potential to play a pivotal role in the global value chain by 2030. Mr Murugan Thenkondar, President and Global Head — Marketing and Business Development, Birla Cellulose, Grasim Industries Ltd., served as the Guest of Honour and commended the conference for uniting diverse industry perspectives.

Three technical sessions covered wide-ranging themes. Ms Vaishali Kamble, Birla Cellulose, presented on cellulose fibre innovation. Mr Mikhail Menezes, Director–Technical, Rossari Biotech Ltd., addressed plant-based biosurfactants and the growing demand for green labels. Ms Nidhi Kaushik, Senior Vice President (Treasury), Kotak Mahindra Bank, covered currency trends and financial risk. Mr Sudipto Mandal and Mr Shridhar Dhumal, Regional Sales Directors, Oerlikon Textile India Pvt. Ltd., spoke on PET recycling and non-woven technologies. Mr B. Sankar, General Manager, Perfect Engineering Corporation, detailed waste recycling. Ms Payal Kochar Shrimal, Channel Sales Manager, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, addressed sustainable energy. Mr Rahul Bhajekar, Managing Director, Global Standards GmbH, outlined EU ESG regulations — ESPR, CSRD, CSDDD, and Germany's fast-fashion levy. Mr Navodit Babel, Co-Founder and CTO, Green Story Europe B.V., Netherlands, covered the Digital Product Passport by 2027. Dr Leonie Vaas, General Manager–Sustainability, Hirdaramani Apparel, Sri Lanka, drew on ESG implementation across six countries, closing with: "ESG readiness is not a cost, but a strategic investment."

The conference featured a first-of-its-kind All-Women Panel Discussion on “Women Leadership Driving a Change in the Textile & Apparel Sector”, moderated by Ms Neha Gupta, Founder, International Fashion Business Exchange Council, with panellists Ms Seema Srivastava (India ITME Society), Ms Smita Yeole (Oriental Weaving), Ms Shefali Gopalka (National Dyechem Industries), Ms Katyayani Agarwal (Cultural Heritage Specialist), Ms Anoushka Veljee (Frontier.Cool Inc., USA), and Mrs Smita Joshi (Sutlej Textiles). The session addressed leadership, inclusion, and women's expanding influence in the industry.

The conference also recognised industry leaders. Mr Amrishbhai Patel, Chairman, Deesan Group; President, SVKM; and Chancellor, NMIMS, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Industrial Excellence Award was jointly presented to Mr Edward Menezes, Executive Chairman, and Mr Sunil Chari, Managing Director, Rossari Biotech Ltd. Ms Roop Rashi appreciated the TAI Mumbai Unit for choosing a globally relevant theme.

Mr Haresh B. Parekh, Hon. Secretary, TAI Mumbai Unit, proposed the Vote of Thanks. The conference closed with a collective call for collaboration, innovation, and long-term vision toward Textiles 2030.