NEW DELHI, INDIA: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) successfully hosted the 4th edition of the Sustainable Textile Summit (STS) at PHD House, New Delhi. The summit, themed “Innovating Towards a Sustainable Future: Collaborative Strategies in the Textile Industry”, witnessed the convergence of senior government officials, industry leaders, global experts, and innovators who came together to deliberate on how India’s textile sector can lead the way in global sustainability.
The day began with the lamp lighting ceremony, graced by Chief Guest, Rajinder Kumar, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India; Rajeev Gupta, Joint Managing Director, RSWM Limited; Debabrata Ghosh, Vice President - Head of Sales & Marketing, Oerlikon Textiles India Pvt. Ltd.; Dr. Pankaj Kumar, National Project Coordinator, UNIDO; R K Vij, Co-chair, PHDCCI Textiles Committee & SG, PTAIA and Shantanu Agarwal, Co-Chair, PHDCCI Textile Committee & Director, Maral Overseas Ltd.
Delivering the Welcome Address, R.K. Vij, Co-Chair, PHDCCI Textiles Committee & Secretary General, Polyester Textiles Apparel Industries Association, extended a warm greeting to the distinguished guests. Speaking on behalf of Madhu Sudan Bhageria, Chair of the Textile Committee & CMD of Filatex India Ltd., Vij set the tone of the summit. He underlined the critical inflection point at which the textile industry finds itself – balancing rapid growth and global competitiveness with urgent sustainability imperatives. Vij highlighted challenges such as high water consumption, carbon emissions, and chemical waste, but emphasized the opportunities offered by circular design, new-age fibres, advanced manufacturing technologies, and green finance mechanisms. He called upon the government to provide targeted incentives for recycling and sustainability, urging stronger public-private-global partnerships to help MSMEs adopt clean technologies. His address concluded with a powerful reminder: “Together, we weave a sustainable tomorrow.”
Rajinder Kumar, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, addressing the audience as the Chief Guest, reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to positioning India as a global hub for sustainable textiles . He spoke about government policies such as PLI schemes, integrated textile parks, and recycling mandates, stressing that sustainability is now at the heart of India’s textile roadmap. He encouraged industry leaders to align with India’s climate commitments, adopt circular production, and collaborate with the government on sustainable growth initiatives.
Ms. Roop Rashi, CEO, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of MSME. Delivering her Special Address, emphasized that Khadi has always represented eco-friendly and people-centric production. She described Khadi as not merely a fabric but a movement of sustainability and rural empowerment, where production is rooted in nature, and communities are at the centre of value creation. She urged the industry to learn from Khadi’s model of minimal environmental footprint, decentralized production, and social inclusion.
Dr. Pankaj Kumar, National Project Coordinator, representing UNIDO, presented on “UNIDO’s Role in Catalyzing Global Collaboration for a Sustainable and Circular Textile Industry”. He shared alarming facts about the textile sector – accounting for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions, consuming billions of litres of water, and generating toxic waste. He highlighted UNIDO’s global initiatives – including circular economy projects in Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt – and India-specific projects such as eliminating hazardous chemicals from fashion supply chains, promoting renewable energy in Surat and Varanasi clusters, and fostering MSME capacity for clean technologies. He urged Indian stakeholders to accelerate the shift towards low-carbon, circular, and inclusive textile growth, stressing that “sustainability is no longer optional, but essential for survival and global competitiveness.”
Debabrata Ghosh, Vice President& Head of Sales & Marketing, Oerlikon Textile India Pvt. Ltd., addressed the gathering on “Sustainability in Polymer Processing, Manmade Fibres & Recycling”. He spoke about the future of fibre recycling technologies, digital traceability, and energy-efficient solutions that are already reshaping textile manufacturing. Presenting advanced Barmag technologies, he explained how machine innovations are enabling textile-to-textile recycling, smart factory integration, and significant energy savings. He further stressed the urgent need for decarbonization, highlighting Oerlikon’s commitment to net-zero by 2050, and called upon the industry to adopt scalable solutions for recycling and circularity.
Rajeev Gupta, Joint Managing Director, RSWM Limited, highlighted the Indian perspective on innovating towards sustainability. He reminded participants that sustainability has long been part of Indian tradition – from reusing clothes across generations to repurposing fabrics into quilts and cleaning cloths. Gupta argued that India’s practices are inherently sustainable, but global narratives often ignore them. He called for scaling India’s recycling capabilities, investing in renewable energy adoption, and pushing for regulatory alignment that protects Indian producers while ensuring competitiveness. His presentation also highlighted RSWM’s own sustainability initiatives, including PET bottle recycling, renewable energy usage, and water conservation.
The inaugural session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Shantanu Agarwal, Co-Chair, PHDCCI Textiles Committee & Director, Maral Overseas Ltd. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, distinguished speakers, partners, and participants, acknowledging their valuable insights and pledging that PHDCCI would continue to serve as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and industry transformation.
C.R. Rai opened Session 1 by welcoming the distinguished speakers and setting the context for the discussion on “Circular Economy & Sustainable Supply Chains in Textiles.” He highlighted four key focus areas for the session—policy support and incentives, decarbonization, advanced manufacturing technologies, and responsible chemical management—urging participants to adopt actionable strategies that can transform their sustainability journeys.
Dr. Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, in his Special Address, underlined that the industry is operating in unconventional times which demand innovative thinking and action. He drew attention to the global carbon budget of only 500 gigatons of CO₂ remaining, questioning how this limited space should be shared between developed and developing countries. Focusing on textiles, he spoke about innovations in waste heat recovery and the use of microturbines, which have already led to reductions in electricity and water consumption per unit of textile production. He concluded by urging industry leaders—representing the 1–2% of the population with the resources and knowledge to act—to lead decisively. “Your actions today can help keep global warming below 2°C and protect traditions and livelihoods, like the Pashmina we cherish from Ladakh,” he said.
Raghvendra Mahindrakar, Director, Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan, KVIC, Ministry of MSME, reflected on Khadi’s historic role in India’s freedom movement under Mahatma Gandhi, where it became a symbol of resistance, self-reliance, and revival of rural livelihoods. He emphasized that Khadi, being eco-friendly, low-carbon, and community-centric, continues to embody sustainability and dignity of labour, remarking that “Khadi was not just a fabric of freedom, it was and remains the fabric of sustainability.”
Murugan Thenkondar, President, Aditya Birla Group, reaffirmed the Group’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainable growth, recalling Shri G.D. Birla’s vision in 1947 to secure India’s textile future through man-made fibre innovation. He shared how the Group has since advanced global best practices by eliminating harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, BOC, paralyte, and phosphate, and pledged to achieve Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2040. Stressing that sustainability is not just a dialogue but a call to action, Murugan urged brands, businesses, and individuals alike to take responsibility—by adopting conscious choices, supporting eco-friendly products, and reducing their environmental footprint—remarking that “as a nation, as businesses, and as individuals, we must commit ourselves to sustainable development to secure the rights of future generations.”
Sudipto Mandal, Regional Sales Director, Oerlikon Barmag (Barmag Recycling Technologies), spoke on advancing circularity in textiles through cutting-edge recycling technologies. Highlighting that the majority of textile waste today ends up incinerated or in landfills, he stressed the urgent need for robust feedstock management, design-to-recycle solutions, and advanced chemical and thermomechanical recycling. He showcased Barmag’s innovations—from fiber-to-fiber and bottle-to-fiber recycling to chemical recycling for hard-to-recycle PET waste—emphasizing that “closing the loop” in textiles is key to reducing environmental impact while creating long-term value for businesses.
Manu Arya, delivering the theme address for Session 2 on “Sustainability in Action: Brand & Manufacturer Journeys,” stressed that sustainability is a movement driven by brands and conscious consumers, requiring innovation, transparency, and a shift in business models. He highlighted how the session would explore practical steps by brands and manufacturers in making sustainable fashion both viable and profitable.
R.K. Singh, CGM & Vertical Head, Green Climate Finance, SIDBI, in his detailed presentation at Session 2, showcased how digitally embedded processes are helping enterprises seamlessly identify and adopt green technologies through digital validation of plant and machinery. He highlighted three key Government of India initiatives—GIFT, SPI, and ADITI—that support MSMEs, including those in the textile sector, through interest subvention and capital subsidies for renewable energy, circular economy, and energy efficiency projects. Citing interventions in textile hubs like Panipat, he emphasized SIDBI’s role in promoting, developing, and financing sustainable growth, while urging participants to leverage the Green MSME Portal as a one-stop platform for schemes and sustainable financing opportunities.
Anil Kumar V, Head – ESG and Director of Origination & Partnerships, Kosher Climate, spoke on “Decarbonization and Carbon Markets in the Textile Industry.” He highlighted that emissions span the entire textile product lifecycle and stressed the importance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in identifying high-emission stages. Outlining the Indian Carbon Market launched in 2023, he explained its compliance and voluntary mechanisms and how textile companies can earn, trade, or bank carbon credits. He emphasized that by adopting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and nature-based solutions, textile companies can not only reduce emissions but also generate revenue through carbon credits, making sustainability both a compliance mandate and a strategic growth opportunity.
Abhishek Jani, CEO, Fairtrade India, in his address on “Holistic Sustainability and Fairtrade in the Textile Value Chain,” emphasized that true sustainability must span the entire value chain—from raw material sourcing to the end consumer—and be rooted in authenticity, traceability, and measurable impact. He cautioned against the overuse of “sustainability” as a buzzword, underlining that Fairtrade ensures credibility through certifications, audits, and community-driven reporting. Highlighting the Fairtrade premium and traceability tools, he stressed that sustainability comes with a cost that must be shared equitably to empower farmers, workers, and vulnerable communities. He noted that Fairtrade-certified cotton demonstrates significantly lower carbon and water footprints, providing both environmental and social benefits, while giving consumers genuine choices backed by trust and transparency.
Prasad, Sr. Operations Manager – India (CSR & TE Services), Bureau Veritas CPS Pvt. Ltd., highlighted the critical role of standards, audits, and certifications in driving authentic sustainability across the textile sector. Presenting Bureau Veritas’ global presence and expertise, he outlined key certifications such as OCS, RCS, GRS, RDS, and GOTS, which ensure integrity and traceability in sustainable textiles. He emphasized that beyond technology and processes, rigorous audits, environmental assessments, and ESG compliance are essential for enabling genuine responsible production and building trust across global textile supply chains.
J.K. Gupta, Head – Textiles, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), speaking on the theme “Innovating Towards a Sustainable Future: Collaborative Strategies in the Textile Industry,” underlined BIS’s critical role in embedding sustainability through standardization, certification, quality assurance, and testing support. He shared that Indian Standards are being revised and developed to cover recycling, efficient resource use, and sustainable sourcing, including upcoming codes for recycling textile waste and incorporating recycled materials into products like denim, tyre cords, and agro-textiles. Highlighting BIS’s consultative group on sustainability, he called for active participation from manufacturers, recyclers, and research bodies to shape standards that ensure eco-friendly practices and strengthen India’s global positioning in sustainable textiles.
Shivendra Parmar, Assistant General Manager – Technical, TÜV Rheinland India, addressed the growing challenge of textile waste in India, where nearly 7,790 kilotons are generated annually with only a fraction recycled. He emphasized the importance of certification and traceability to distinguish genuine recycling from greenwashing, noting that standards like DIN CERTCO ensure transparency and credibility in recycled content claims. Highlighting the role of worker training, better sorting, and investment in mechanical and chemical recycling, he called for collective action from brands, recyclers, and policymakers, stressing that upcoming global regulations and India’s likely move toward textile EPR create a timely opportunity to strengthen the country’s recycling ecosystem and export competitiveness.
Ms. Bansari Nag, National Project Coordinator, ILO Country Office for India, reminded the audience that while discussions on sustainability often focus on the environment and governance, the “S” in ESG — social impact — is equally vital. She emphasized that true sustainability must uphold labour standards, workers’ rights, and social justice, especially for cotton farmers who are at the heart of the textile value chain. Sharing ILO’s work in Telangana and Madhya Pradesh since 2017, she highlighted initiatives promoting fundamental labour principles, women’s empowerment, and social finance. Stressing that “labour is not a commodity, it is about human rights at work,” she urged stakeholders to put people at the center of regenerative textile missions for a truly sustainable future.
Karthik Duraisamy, Sales & CS Director – South Asia, Coats Digital, stressed that sustainability must align with profitability to protect both enterprises and livelihoods. He showcased Coats’ zero-discharge recycling plants, waste-to-byproduct innovations, and near 100% renewable energy usage in its factories across India and Sri Lanka. Acknowledging higher costs, he noted that global brands like Nike and Adidas willingly support these efforts. He urged collective action to help even smaller enterprises adopt sustainable practices, framing sustainability as a win–win for business, workers, consumers, and the nation.
Amrish Miyani, Co-Founder & MD, Indo Era, emphasized that sustainability is about People, Planet, and Purpose. He highlighted the Indo Era’s focus on ethical labour, fair wages, women-led production units, and artisan partnerships to strengthen communities. Environmentally, the brand is committed to organic fabrics, natural dyes, recycled blends, and low-waste packaging. Stressing that “fashion is not fast — it is responsible, inclusive, and timeless,” he urged the industry to compete on responsibility and innovation, setting a new standard for sustainable fashion.
The summit brought together 175+ delegates including MSMEs, exporters, brands, academia, R&D institutions and policymakers. Discussions paved the way for a strong industry –government-academia roadmap for India’s sustainable textile future. The full day summit was moderated by Rakesh Kumar Sangrai, Director, PHDCCI.
