Environmental NGO Canopy sees India emerging as a pivotal player in the production of low-impact alternative fibres. It has set an ambitious goal to catalyse 60 million tonnes of NextGen pulp, paper and textiles globally over the next decade.
- Canopy envisions India playing a pivotal role in this transformation, with the potential to produce more than 10 million tonnes of NextGen fibres annually.
LOOKING AT INDIA: For every tonne of primary forest use displaced by NextGen fibres, there are an estimated 4 tonnes of GHG savings.
- This infrastructure transition will require an estimated capital investment of $13 billion to $15 billion in India to build the needed processing capacity.
- Canopy estimates that $78 billion in capital will be required to support innovation and the development of advanced textile recycling facilities and ag-fibre pulp and paper lines.
- This investment will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also create new jobs, provide alternative livelihoods for farmers, reduce supply chain volatility, and help India emerge as a leader in the sustainable materials sector globally.
- Detailing the above is a new opportunity paper — Unlocking India’s NextGen Economy: The Untapped Investment Frontiers in Material Substitution in India’s Textile and Pulp and Paper Industries —which said that India can emerge as a pivotal player in the production of low-impact alternative fibres.
- These NextGen materials, derived from agricultural residues, discarded textiles and food waste, have the potential to not only reduce reliance on primary forests but also drive a circular economy, green jobs, and alleviate secondary health and environmental issues.
TAKING THE LEAD: Domestic support for this India-led transition is building with leading brands like Flipkart and Anita Dongre as well as viscose producers like Birla Cellulose at the forefront of this NextGen transformation.
- They join 980+ global Canopy partners, including Inditex, Walmart, H&M, adidas, Amazon and Penguin Random House, in incentivizing the transition from conventional ‘take, make, waste’ production to the circular low-carbon economy.
WHAT THEY SAID:
India has all the ingredients — abundant feedstock, technical expertise, and a culture of innovation. What’s needed now is targeted investment, industry collaboration, and government support to scale this vision into reality.
— Nicole Rycroft
Founder and Executive Director
Canopy
