Tiruppur, India: The Tiruppur Exporters and Manufacturers Association (TEAMA) successfully conducted an exclusive high-level workshop on March 21, 2025 in Tiruppur, focused on the theme “Preparing for the New Economic Order.” in association with INJEX Knowledge Private Limited, Erode.
The event brought together over 50 visionary SME leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts from the knitwear and textile value chain to explore the paradigm shifts shaping the future of the apparel industry.
With more than 600 active member units, TEAMA has consistently taken a leadership role in steering the Tiruppur textile cluster towards growth, innovation, and sustainability. This workshop was part of TEAMA’s broader strategic vision to equip MSMEs with the knowledge, tools, and frameworks necessary to thrive in a rapidly transforming global economy.
The Key Highlights of the Workshop was explained by Mr Sampath Kasirajan as below : The workshop provided a deep dive into the three major industry challenges and seven disruptive market dynamics that are likely to redefine the competitiveness and survival of SMEs in the coming years. The sessions emphasized how traditional business models may no longer suffice, and how businesses must reinvent their operating structures and business models to align with the emerging commitments on sustainability, market dynamics, and digital parity of the new global trade order.
Core Topics Covered:
- Understanding Digital Product Passport (DPP) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.
- Addressing the ESIQ (Enterprise Skill & Intelligence Quotient) gap with a multipronged strategy.
- Achieving Industry 4.0 transformation and embracing smart manufacturing.
- Developing scale-oriented business models.
- Establishing Green Corridors, Buyer Linkages, and Digital Private Networks for market access.
The session also featured live demonstrations of the strategic building blocks that TEAMA’s Pilot Group will have to adopt like the Hydra ACI Framework, a TEAMA Secretariat, and the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for building common facilities to enjoy the advantages of shared economy and economies of scale.
R Jeyamohan CEO Injex Knowledge Private Ltd, has given a Special Session on Government Schemes & Policy Leverage as detailed below :
One of the key sessions focused on leveraging Government of India and Tamil Nadu Government schemes such as:
- MSE-CDP (Micro & Small Enterprises Cluster Development Program)
- SAMARTH Skill Development Scheme
- MSME Innovative Scheme
- Tamil Nadu Industrial Policy & MSME POLICY
- Tamilnadu Textile Policy 2025 ( Proposed )
- Mini Textile Park Scheme
- NEEDS SCHEME
- Q – CERT
The session highlighted how TEAMA intends to act as an enabling body to aggregate these schemes for the benefit of its members.
Inaugural Remarks & Expert Participation: The workshop was inaugurated by senior industry leaders and government officials, who appreciated TEAMA’s efforts in making the Tiruppur cluster more resilient and future-ready. Interactive sessions and panel discussions allowed attendees to exchange ideas and co-develop pathways for action.
Sampath Kasirajan explained the Way Forward as below :
Strategic Initiatives and Announcements: The session culminated with a decision to move fast with a formalization of the TEAMA – Magro partnership , followed by an announcement on the formation of a pilot group under a dedicated Secretariat to drive the post-workshop transformation efforts. This Secretariat will lead a focused group of SMEs to go live with a model Green Corridor System, enabling them to navigate the rapidly changing global regulatory environment, which they might struggle to cope with independently on their own.
Green Corridor System for Global Compliance: The key highlight of the programme was the unveiling of the Green Corridor system, a purpose-built model to assist SMEs in meeting the fast-evolving global mandates in the ESG and Sustainability space such as:
- Digital Product Passport (DPP)
- Due Diligence Directive (EU-DDD)
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
The Green Corridor system is designed not just to ensure regulatory adherence but also to position Tiruppur’s SME units as preferred and trusted suppliers to global brands by embedding transparency, traceability, and accountability across the supply chain.
Consultation with Global Buyers: TEAMA and its partners have initiated consultations with global buyers and leading fashion brands to understand their compliance needs, challenges, and expectations. The feedback is being used to create a balanced and scalable solution that supports both the buy side and the supply side, making compliance seamless and collaborative.
Insights on ESG & Sustainability: The workshop featured a powerful presentation by the Head of Sustainability – Girish Ramakrishna of Sulochana Cotton Spinning Mills Pvt Ltd, highlighting how emerging ESG mandates are now non-negotiable for Indian textile exporters. The presentation covered how brands are now enforcing stricter sustainability benchmarks, and how non-compliance will lead to trade restrictions, delisting, or reduced business volumes.
Tiruppur’s Natural Advantage in Green Manufacturing: In a thought-provoking observation, Girish Ramakrishna emphasized that Tiruppur is inherently a green cluster, because:
- The city collectively produces 4 times the renewable energy it consumes, thanks to wind and solar initiatives.
- 90–95% water used by the wet processing industry is recovered through Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems, unmatched by any similar cluster globally, including China.
Achieving these outcomes was no small feat, as it took years to develop such massive infrastructures. This underscores Tiruppur's leadership and steadfast dedication to sustainability. Initiatives like the Green Corridor can significantly contribute to securing the well-deserved recognition that Tiruppur has long strived for.
Launch Timeline: TEAMA confirmed that the Green Corridor initiative and the **pilot secretariat’s operations will formally commence on May 1, 2025.
This marks the beginning of a new chapter in Tiruppur’s journey as a future-ready, sustainable, and regulation-compliant textile hub of global significance.
TEAMA announced that the insights from this workshop will be consolidated into an action plan, and that the association will initiate cluster-based proposals under the MSE-CDP and engage with relevant stakeholders to drive implementation.
Speaking on the occasion, Muthu Rathinam, President, TEAMA, stated: “This workshop was not just about awareness – it was about triggering transformation with proactive measures. The new economic order is a reality, and TEAMA is committed to translating these challenges into opportunities for its members in a strategic partnership with Magro, leading international agencies involved in the sustainability space and global brands that are keen to prepare well in advance with the right systems, frameworks and partnerships in place..
