India–UK pact can boost technical textile exports to $1 billion by 2030: Matexil

(file photo) The UK currently imports technical textiles worth over $7 billion annually. India, with its growing capabilities, can scale up its exports in this segment from $240 million at present to over $1 billion by 2030.
| Photo Credit:
MANSI THAPLIYAL

The recent Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement signed between India-UK is expected to give a major boost to technical textiles.

The agreement offers 100 per cent duty-free market access for Indian exports to the UK, covering 99 per cent of the UK’s tariff lines, thereby unlocking new opportunities for several sectors, particularly technical textiles, said Manmade Fibre and Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council (Matexil).

Bhadresh Dodhia, Immediate Past Chairman of Matexil, who was part of the High-Powered Business Delegation accompanying Prime Minister Modi to the UK, said the agreement is poised to open substantial new market opportunities for India’s technical textiles sector.

India will now enjoy a significant competitive edge over China in this domain, as China does not have any FTA with the UK, he said.

The UK currently imports technical textiles worth over $7 billion annually. India, with its growing capabilities, can scale up its exports in this segment from $240 million at present to over $1 billion by 2030.

Shaleen Toshniwal, Chairman, Matexil said that besides technical textiles, key sub-segments such as agrotech, geotech, hometech, indutech, packtech and sportech are poised for strong growth under the agreement given India’s cost competitiveness and manufacturing strength.

Further, he noted that with the removal of tariff barriers, Indian exporters can now significantly enhance their footprint in the UK across high-potential categories like medical textiles, protective wear, industrial fabrics, and agrotech textiles.

India already has the technical capability to produce high-performance textiles in line with global standards. The India–UK CETA will allow Indian manufacturers to compete on equal terms with global players in the UK market.

Matexil, which is entrusted with the export promotion of both manmade fibre textiles and technical textiles, is actively collaborating with industry stakeholders and the Ministry of Textiles. It is identifying priority export products, supporting compliance with UK regulatory and sustainability standards and facilitate buyer–seller linkages and certification support.

Dodhia further advised exporters that until the agreement is fully implemented, Indian Technical Textile exporters should proactively study UK market requirements, technical standards and sustainability norms.

Published on July 31, 2025

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