Author: Neel Achary

Smart Materials, Strong Nation: India’s Push into Technical Textiles and Specialty Chemicals

How Technical Textiles Are Reshaping India’s Future: Innovation, Policy, and a $350 Billion Vision

Pic Credit: Pexel

Walk into a modern hospital, step inside an electric vehicle, or drive along a newly built highway—chances are, you are surrounded by materials you never notice but cannot live without. These are technical textiles: high-performance fabrics engineered not for how they look, but for what they do.

Once considered a niche segment, technical textiles have moved to the center of global industrial innovation. Designed for strength, safety, durability, and specialized functionality, they are now essential across sectors like healthcare, mobility, infrastructure, and defense. As industries evolve, so does the demand for smarter materials—and this is where technical textiles, supported by advanced specialty chemicals, are making a lasting impact.

Globally, the sector is on a strong growth trajectory, expected to cross USD 324 billion by the end of the decade. But what makes this story particularly compelling is India’s rapid emergence as a serious contender in this space.

Understanding Technical Textiles: Beyond Fabric

At its core, technical textiles are problem-solving materials. Unlike traditional textiles that focus on comfort or fashion, these fabrics are engineered to perform under demanding conditions.

Think of seat belts that can withstand extreme force, surgical gowns that prevent infection, or geotextiles that hold together entire road structures. These are not just fabrics—they are enablers of safety, efficiency, and innovation.

From antimicrobial medical wear to fire-resistant suits and sensor-enabled wearable technology, technical textiles are quietly transforming everyday life.

India’s Strategic Push: Policy Meets Opportunity

Recognizing the transformative potential of this sector, the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has taken a proactive role in building a future-ready textile ecosystem. Rather than focusing solely on volume, the government is prioritizing value—encouraging innovation, sustainability, and skill development.

This shift reflects a broader ambition: to position India not just as a manufacturing hub, but as a global leader in advanced materials.

Key Initiatives Powering the Transformation

India’s textile growth story is being actively shaped by a series of well-structured government programs:

National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)

The National Technical Textiles Mission is at the heart of India’s push into high-performance textiles. It promotes research, supports startups, and encourages the development of specialized applications in sectors like agriculture and healthcare. Just as importantly, it focuses on reducing dependence on imported machinery by supporting indigenous innovation.

PM MITRA Parks: Building Scale and Efficiency

Through the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks initiative, India is creating large, integrated textile hubs. These parks bring together the entire value chain—from raw material processing to finished goods—within a single ecosystem. The result is lower costs, faster production cycles, and greater global competitiveness.

Samarth Scheme: Investing in People

No industry can grow without skilled talent. The Samarth Scheme addresses this by training a new generation of workers equipped to handle modern textile technologies. It is a crucial step in ensuring that innovation on paper translates into impact on the ground.

Boosting Research and Advanced Materials

The government is also investing in research projects focused on next-generation materials—ranging from sustainable geotextiles to smart wearables. These efforts are helping Indian institutions move beyond manufacturing into innovation-led growth.

Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP)

The Integrated Wool Development Programme strengthens one of India’s traditional sectors by improving quality, productivity, and supply chain efficiency, ensuring it remains relevant in a modern context.

The Bigger Picture: A Self-Reliant Textile Economy

All these initiatives align with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat—building a self-reliant, globally competitive India. The goal is not just growth, but transformation: creating a $350 billion textile ecosystem by 2030 that blends scale with sophistication.

This approach is particularly significant in a world where supply chains are shifting and sustainability is no longer optional. By investing in eco-friendly chemicals, water-efficient processing, and biodegradable materials, India is aligning itself with global expectations while building long-term resilience.

Why Technical Textiles Matter More Than Ever

What makes technical textiles so powerful is their invisibility. They operate behind the scenes—reinforcing roads, protecting lives, improving medical outcomes, and enabling next-generation technologies.

As industries move toward automation, electrification, and sustainability, the demand for high-performance materials will only grow. Technical textiles, supported by innovations in specialty chemicals, are uniquely positioned to meet this demand.

Looking Ahead: From Potential to Leadership

India stands at a pivotal moment. With strong policy backing, a growing innovation ecosystem, and a large manufacturing base, the country has all the ingredients needed to lead in this space.

The journey, however, is not just about scaling up—it’s about moving up the value chain. Success will depend on continued investment in research, stronger industry-academia collaboration, and a relentless focus on quality and sustainability.

If executed well, India’s technical textiles sector will not just support industrial growth—it will define it.

ECOS Mobility Partners with SIXT to Expand Global Car Rental Services for Corporate Clients

New Delhi, Mar 23: ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Limited has announced a strategic global partnership with SIXT SE, marking a significant step in expanding its international mobility offerings. Under this collaboration, ECOS will act as the exclusive General Sales Agent, enabling access to premium car rental services across key global destinations for corporates, enterprises, and travel partners.

transcosmos announces the results of the Global Online Shopping Survey in 8 Cities 2026

AI “searches,” humans “assist” purchases — Shanghai, Bangkok, and Mumbai lead in AI-driven shopping

Tokyo, Japan, Mar 23: transcosmos has conducted its proprietary “Global Online Shopping Trends Survey 2026,” summarizing the latest trends in AI-powered shopping using generative AI. The survey compares how consumers in eight major cities utilize AI at each stage of the shopping process—from product discovery and comparison to final purchase—and where they still prefer human support.

■Survey overview Method: Global online research panel, multilingual questionnaire (respective local language options available) Regions: Japan (Tokyo), Shanghai (China), Seoul (South Korea), India (Mumbai), Thailand (Bangkok), Jakarta (Indonesia), London (U.K.), Los Angeles (U.S.) Respondents: Men and women aged between 15 and 49 years old that have used online shopping (made a purchase) in the past 1 year Samples: 320 x 8 cities = Total 2,560 Period: January 28 – Feburary 10, 2026 Research agency: Cross Marketing, Inc. Note: Due to stricter personal data protection regulations, respondents under 20 were excluded in Bangkok.

■Key findings 1. AI Shopping Usage: Over 80% use AI search in Mumbai, Bangkok & Shanghai — strong intention to use across all cities ●When asked about their use of generative AI search services (ChatGPT, Perplexity, DeepSeek, etc.) across shopping stages—product discovery, Q&A/troubleshooting, and purchase—all cities showed the highest usage in “product discovery.” In Mumbai, Bangkok, and Shanghai, usage reached 70–90% across all stages, while Tokyo remained low at around 20% even for product searches. ●Future intention to use AI (those who “have used and want to continue using” + “have not used but want to try”) exceeded current usage in all cities.In Mumbai, Bangkok, and Shanghai, over 80% expressed willingness to use generative AI search services at every stage. Even in Tokyo, nearly half showed positive interest.

Chart 1. Usage of Generative AI Search Services (e.g., ChatGPT, Perplexity, DeepSeek) for AI Shopping: Current Usage (Left) and Future Intent to Use (Right) (%)
━ Product Search ━ Q&A/troubleshooting ━ Purchase

2．Consumers prefer AI for searching, but still value human help for troubleshooting and purchases ●Regarding preferences between “AI assistance” and “human assistance,” AI overwhelmingly dominated the product discovery stage in every city except Tokyo. For troubleshooting and purchasing, demand for human support remained strong, resulting in a more balanced preference between AI and humans. ●Cities with higher AI usage—Mumbai, Bangkok, and Shanghai—also showed stronger preference for AI across all stages. For product discovery, AI preference reached 85% in Mumbai and Bangkok, and 80% in Shanghai, while Tokyo remained at 47%.

Chart 2. Preference for Customer Assistance in the Online Shopping Process (AI Support vs. Human Support Ratio) (%)

■ AI Support ■ Human Support

3．Social commerce usage continues to grow in all cities — Key channels are TikTok/Douyin and Instagram ●Over the past year, more than half of consumers in all cities except Tokyo used social commerce. Usage reached 95% in Bangkok, 93% in Shanghai, and 90% in Jakarta. Social commerce usage increased year-over-year in all cities, including London and Los Angeles. Tokyo remains low at 24%. ●The most widely used platform was TikTok/Douyin, particularly in cities where TikTok Shop is available (Shanghai, Bangkok, Jakarta, London, Los Angeles). In Mumbai and Seoul, Instagram and YouTube were most used, showing that short-video and image-driven social commerce remains strong even where TikTok/TikTok Shop is restricted.

Chart 3. Percentage of Social Commerce Users (2025–2026 Comparison) (%)

Chart 4. Main Platforms Used for Social Commerce Purchases (%)

Masayuki Hagiwara, Analyst, Global Business Division at transcosmos inc., commented: “The survey indicates that generative AI is significantly transforming online shopping behavior. AI is becoming the new gateway for product discovery, especially in Asian cities, where AI search and social media–driven purchasing behavior are rapidly expanding. Meanwhile, consumers still rely on human support for troubleshooting and final purchase decisions, showing a distinct division of roles between AI and humans. Additionally, platforms like TikTok are evolving from information sources to full-fledged shopping channels, diversifying entry points to e-commerce. In the future, the key to competitive advantage in e-commerce will lie in how companies integrate AI search, social commerce, and human support.”

transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries. Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

Leap announces expansion of offline centres across India with 15 new centres in 2026

New Delhi, India Mar 23: Leap, South Asia’s largest AI-powered study-abroad ecosystem, today announced a strategic expansion of its offline centre network across India with 15 new centres opening in 2026 across India already, accelerating new openings in Tier I markets as well as high-intent Tier II and Tier III cities. The rollout is funded by Leap’s Series E momentum and strong business performance, with substantial investment directed toward new centre buildouts, standardised training, and secure, paper-light processes.

By end-2026, Leap aims to add 20 additional operational touchpoints, selected through data-led demand mapping and heat-mapped intent clusters where quality supply is limited. Early locations include markets such as Hubli, Indore, Bhubaneswar, Patna, and Kolkata, alongside further expansion in existing hubs, reflecting a dual approach of wider geographic reach combined with deeper, integrated service delivery within each location.

These spaces are designed to complement digital touchpoints, as they use a unified system profiling the students’ end-to-end journeys with Leap, ensuring transparency and smooth knowledge transfer between teams.

“This expansion is strategic: we’re scaling quality, not just footprint,” said Arnav Kumar, Co-founder, Leap. “In a high-stakes category, speed without governance is noise. Our model connects online convenience with offline trust through one dashboard, so every counselling note, shortlist decision, document checklist, test-prep progress update, and visa milestone is visible, auditable, and continuous. That’s how you deliver consistent outcomes at scale, city after city.”

“City selection is driven by our proprietary demand heat-mapping – identifying high-intent zones where quality supply remains limited. Every new centre operates on Leap‘s unified student platform, ensuring that a counsellor in Patna or Mysore has access to the same intelligence, guardrails, and outcome data as a counsellor in Bangalore or Mumbai. All in-centre data is captured through secure, encrypted Leap portals, eliminating the paper-heavy processes typical of traditional agencies and ensuring student data is protected by the same enterprise-grade security standards that power Leap‘s fintech arm,” Arnav added.

Students and families visiting Leap’s centres can access an integrated suite of services: free 1:1 admissions counselling across 1,500+ global universities, expert-led IELTS preparation spanning self-paced modules and live classes, end-to-end visa documentation and filing backed by a 97% visa success rate, and real-time eligibility checks for collateral-free education loans. Counselling precision is strengthened by insights from 3 million+ community members, while quality is governed through platform-led controls, counsellor certification, outcome KPIs such as Admit Efficiency and Visa Success Rates, and real-time Net Promoter Score feedback loops, supporting Leap’s 70+ NPS.

Vincom Retail Hosts Global Partner Forum, Unveils Vision for Experiential Retail Growth

Ho Chi Minh City, March 23 (BNP): Vincom Retail hosted a large-scale partner forum titled “The New Era – Partnering to Shape the Future” in Ho Chi Minh City on March 20, bringing together over 500 domestic and international stakeholders to discuss emerging trends and collaboration opportunities in Vietnam’s evolving retail landscape.

The event saw participation from leading global and regional brands including UNIQLO, MUJI, Decathlon, Pandora, Starbucks, and Central Retail, alongside prominent Vietnamese brands and retail chains.

At the forum, Vincom Retail highlighted the rapid transformation of shopping malls into integrated lifestyle destinations, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences toward immersive experiences and social engagement rather than conventional purchasing.

Outlining its strategic roadmap to 2030, the company said it aims to position itself as a leading retail real estate developer and operator in Asia. The strategy focuses on building world-class destinations, expanding its international footprint, and fostering a global ecosystem that enables new retail concepts to enter Vietnam.

As part of its product strategy, Vincom Retail is advancing two core models: Vincom Mega Mall, positioned as a large-scale “shoppertainment” hub, and Vincom Collection, a “retail-tainment” concept integrating shopping with tourism through experiences centred on play, discovery, dining, and relaxation.

A key highlight was the introduction of a “super destination” model at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, which will feature 15 next-generation retail complexes. Initial projects such as Vincom Mega Mall Can Gio and Vincom Collection Cosmo Bay are expected to deliver immersive, sustainable, and nature-integrated experiences.

Industry leaders at the event underscored the importance of partnerships in driving growth. Representatives from brands such as Dookki noted that collaboration with Vincom Retail has enabled expansion and innovation in Vietnam’s competitive F&B sector.

Vincom Retail also reiterated its role as a key platform connecting international and domestic brands, supporting market entry, scaling operations, and enhancing customer experiences.

Currently, Vincom Retail operates 90 shopping malls across Vietnam with a total gross leasable area of 1.9 million square metres, along with 5,500 shophouses spanning 31 provinces and cities. The company partners with more than 1,000 brands and ranks among Southeast Asia’s largest retail real estate developers by scale.

The forum concluded with a focus on strengthening long-term partnerships and leveraging emerging “super destinations” such as Can Gio to drive the next phase of Vietnam’s retail growth.

The House of Lakmē and p é r o Close Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI with a Grand Finale Showcase

Mumbai, Mar 23: Lakmē unveiled its latest beauty statement, the Lakmē 9to5 Hya Beach Edit, at the Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI Grand Finale in collaboration with celebrated design house p é r o. Closing the season at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, the showcase translated Lakmē’s beauty vision onto the runway, celebrating the modern working individual who moves seamlessly between ambition and moments of well-earned escape. Joining the runway, Aneet Padda embodied the confident and expressive spirit of the Lakmē woman. 

The runway further explored this duality through a narrative of balance and self-expression. It celebrated individuality, ease, and the quiet confidence of those who navigate ambition and moments of pause with equal intent. 

Translating this spirit onto the runway, p é r o’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection, Out of Office, reimagined the everyday office as a metaphor for routine and escape. From fluorescent-lit desks to distant horizons beyond frosted windows, the collection balanced minimalism and restraint, focusing on purity of form, texture, and tone through handcrafted elements and a serene aesthetic.

Sunanda Khaitan, CMO, Beauty & Wellbeing, HUL, highlighted the seamless blend of beauty and fashion through Lakmē’s collaboration with p é r o for the finale saying,  “At Lakmē, we continue to celebrate the many dimensions of the modern working woman – her ambition, her individuality, and her well-earned moments of pause. With the Lakmē 9to5 Hya Beach Edit, we wanted to bring this idea of balance to life on the runway. Partnering with p é r o felt like a natural choice, as Aneeth’s thoughtful, craft-led design philosophy beautifully captures this sentiment, translating the spirit of moving from hustle to holiday into a runway story that feels joyful, expressive, and authentic.” 

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to present p é r o Fall Winter 2026, Out of Office as the closing runway presentation at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI’s Grand Finale. To have people attend our “metaphorical” office on a Sunday, was truly special. The space served as the perfect portal transforming the mundane into an anticipated escape for everyone present. Suspended between structure and levity, the collection juxtaposed seamlessly with the Lakmē 9to5 Hya Beach Edit, becoming an effortless extension and expression of the modern woman-one who’s always on the move”, said Aneeth Arora, Founder of p é r o from Lakmē Grand Finale collection showcase. 

Lakmē’s GenZ face, Aneet Padda said, “Walking the Grand Finale for The House of Lakmē with p é r o was truly special. It felt like stepping into a story that’s both grounded and freeing at the same time. There’s a quiet strength in the way this showcase reimagines everyday routines into something more expressive and personal. For me, it wasn’t just about walking the runway for Lakmē, it was about representing a mindset that values individuality, fluidity, and finding your own rhythm between work and escape. Lakmē celebrating this story of the modern working woman is incredibly empowering.” 

The Grand Finale marked a vibrant culmination of the season, bringing together Lakmē’s beauty innovation and p é r o’s craft-led storytelling in a showcase that celebrated woman who move with confidence, purpose, and a deep sense of self.

Adyen Expands Partnership with Cathay Pacific, Extends Direct Acquiring to India and Key Global Markets

Singapore, March 23 (BNP): Global financial technology platform Adyen on Monday announced the expansion of its longstanding partnership with Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific, extending direct acquiring services across multiple international markets, including India.

The enhanced collaboration, which builds on a partnership that began in 2014, now covers markets such as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, and most recently, India. The development marks a significant milestone in Cathay Pacific’s global commerce strategy, with Adyen playing a central role in streamlining the airline’s payment infrastructure.

Adyen said its direct acquiring capabilities are aimed at improving transaction performance by increasing authorization rates, lowering payment processing costs, and enabling revenue growth across geographies.

In India, where the solution was recently rolled out, Cathay Pacific has reported a 10 per cent increase in authorization rates since implementation, the company said.

Kinto Chan, General Manager, Sales and Distribution at Cathay Pacific, said the partnership supports the airline’s focus on delivering a seamless and secure customer experience while expanding into key markets.

Adyen’s President for Asia Pacific, Warren Hayashi, said the collaboration is designed to simplify global payment complexities and enhance conversion rates, thereby supporting Cathay Pacific’s commercial growth worldwide.

The expanded partnership underscores the growing importance of integrated payment solutions in the aviation sector as airlines seek to optimise digital transactions and improve customer experience across markets.

West Asia Crisis Puts India’s Energy Strategy to the Test, Accelerates Shift to Resilient Supply Chains

New Delhi (BNP Analysis): The ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia have once again exposed the vulnerabilities—and emerging strengths—of India’s energy and supply chain architecture. While immediate disruptions have been contained, the situation is fast becoming a stress test for the country’s long-term economic resilience.

At the heart of the government’s response lies a familiar concern: energy security. With the Strait of Hormuz—a critical artery for global oil flows—under strain, India has moved to stabilise domestic fuel availability through high refinery utilisation and adequate stockpiling. For businesses, this has translated into short-term stability in fuel supply, helping avoid the kind of volatility that can ripple across manufacturing, logistics and consumer markets.

However, the calibrated rationing of natural gas for industrial and commercial users signals an underlying constraint. While priority allocation to households and transport ensures social and economic continuity, industries dependent on gas-based inputs may face cost pressures or supply adjustments if disruptions persist. This could particularly affect sectors such as ceramics, glass, fertilisers and city gas-dependent enterprises.

The pressure on commercial LPG supply further highlights India’s dependence on imports for key energy inputs. The government’s move to increase allocations and prioritise essential sectors—such as hospitality, food services and healthcare—offers temporary relief. Yet, for businesses, especially MSMEs and urban service providers, the episode reinforces the need to diversify energy sources and invest in alternatives like piped natural gas (PNG) and electric systems.

In fact, one of the most notable policy signals emerging from the crisis is the accelerated push towards PNG adoption. By streamlining approvals, incentivising connections and nudging commercial establishments to shift away from LPG, the government appears to be using the disruption as a catalyst for structural transition in urban energy consumption.

The fallback on kerosene and coal as supplementary fuels, while effective as a short-term buffer, also underscores the trade-offs between sustainability and supply security. For energy-intensive industries, this raises important questions around compliance costs, emissions targets and future regulatory alignment.

Beyond energy, the government’s focus on preventing hoarding and ensuring last-mile supply stability carries direct implications for market confidence. Strong enforcement actions and the activation of monitoring mechanisms across states are critical to avoiding artificial shortages, price distortions and speculative behaviour—factors that can quickly disrupt business operations.

From a logistics standpoint, India’s maritime ecosystem has so far demonstrated resilience. With port operations running smoothly and shipping routes being actively monitored, trade flows have remained largely unaffected. This continuity is particularly crucial for export-import dependent sectors, including petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and engineering goods.

The aviation and mobility dimension, however, presents a more complex picture. Airspace disruptions in parts of West Asia have necessitated rerouting of flights, potentially increasing operational costs for airlines and travel time for passengers. For businesses with a significant workforce presence in the Gulf, this could translate into logistical challenges and higher travel expenses in the near term.

The large-scale movement of Indian nationals back home also has economic implications. While remittance flows may not see an immediate impact, prolonged instability in the region could affect labour markets and income streams linked to the Gulf economies.

Strategically, the current crisis is likely to accelerate India’s efforts to diversify both energy sources and trade routes. Investments in alternative energy infrastructure, expansion of gas networks, and exploration of new import corridors are expected to gain urgency. At the same time, businesses may increasingly factor geopolitical risk into supply chain planning and procurement strategies.

In the final analysis, while India’s immediate response has ensured stability, the West Asia crisis serves as a reminder that resilience is no longer optional—it is a competitive necessity. For corporate India, the message is clear: agility in energy use, diversification of supply chains and alignment with evolving policy directions will be key to navigating an increasingly uncertain global landscape.