Fostering Collaboration Between Industry, Academia Crucial for Driving Innovation

In contrast to Europe, where collaborations between corporations and academia drive innovation, the textiles/fashion industry in India seems less engaged. What steps can be taken to encourage Indian corporates to proactively participate in research and development initiatives, possibly forming consortiums for sustainable solutions?

Fostering collaboration between industry and academia is crucial for driving innovation. CITI is actively advocating for increased collaboration within the Indian textiles and fashion sector. We encourage corporates to be more proactive by facilitating partnerships with research institutions, academia and forming consortia. This collaborative approach will expedite the development of sustainable solutions for an industry facing urgent environmental challenges.

The multitude of associations in the Indian industry often leads to conflicts. How does CITI plan to ensure unity among these associations in the next 2–3 years?

Given the diversity of stakeholders, their interests, the threats to them and the opportunities, it is always a challenge to ensure synergies among various industry associations. However, given the common goal and aspirations and the need for leveraging the unique strength of the Indian T&A industry of having its presence across the value chain, CITI has facilitated a platform called the National Committee on Textiles and Clothing (NCTC). CITI is working towards strengthening this and ensuring greater engagement of stakeholders for a better understanding of each other’s challenges. 

CITI continues to be the only association balancing the need of domestic, exports as also the various constituents of the value chain. 

Given the industry's dependence on policies from various ministries, do you believe there is a need for an apex coordinating body to ensure synchronization of schemes, rules, policies, and laws?

The complexity of policies from multiple ministries highlights the need for a coordinated approach. CITI recognises this necessity and advocates for the establishment of an apex coordinating body which would streamline communication, ensure alignment of policies, and contribute to the overall efficiency and growth of the industry.

Finally, what are your expectations from the CITI Sustainability awards event on Monday, and how are you showcasing it to the global industry?

The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has been encouraging excellence across the value chain of textile production since 1993–94 through the CITI Birla Awards. Starting last year, an attempt was made to expand the areas of focus, with special emphasis on sustainability, circularity, and traceability. The pre-and-post-consumer waste, the missing economies at the drawing board, in design, and across the supply chain—all these and more are imperatives that need to be taken up with urgency.

With the said objective in mind, the CITI Textile Sustainability Awards had been launched to nudge the textiles and apparel industry to chart out a more aggressive path with both planet and people at the centre of all the activities.

This year applications were invited across the different categories;

• Best Practices in Social Responsibility & Green Practices;
• Innovative Material Management in Textile Mills;
• Best Recyclers;
• Best HR Practices;
• Best Alternative Materials Use;
• Best Sustainable Retail Practices;
• Best Women Entrepreneurs- Leading Sustainability and Social Impact.

We are overwhelmed by the industry response. A large number of applications has been received across categories. An esteemed jury panel has marked out the winners with the most remarkable technological advancement.

During the event, we are also planning to organise dedicated sessions to discuss the various sustainable practises being followed by the various applicants in order to encourage others to adopt the same.

We are extremely hopeful to make a tangible difference to the industry’s ambitions to be a global leader as responsible and sustainable suppliers of T&A products. Looking at the success of the awards, we are planning to expand the horizon of the awards to more categories in the coming years.