Global textile technology leader Oerlikon Textile is ramping up its efforts in India, positioning itself as a pivotal partner in the country’s ambitious push towards structural growth in the Man-Made Fibre (MMF) and technical textiles sectors. Showcasing its comprehensive solutions at Techtextil India, the company reaffirmed its commitment to providing end-to-end technological capabilities, from raw polymer to high-quality finished yarn.

The ‘Melt-to-Yarn’ Advantage

Oerlikon's core value proposition revolves around its integrated "melt-to-yarn" expertise, which covers the entire value chain: polymerization, spinning, draw texturing, staple fibre, downstream spinning, and nonwovens. According to Mr. D. Ghosh, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Oerlikon Textile India, this comprehensive approach is crucial as India pivots towards high-performance fabrics required for geotextiles, industrial yarns, defense applications, and other demanding technical sectors.

The move is strategically timed, coinciding with India’s robust macro trajectory, strong GDP growth, and significant private and public investment in PTA (Purified Terephthalic Acid) capacity, which secures feedstock for MMF production. Oerlikon anticipates a step-change in demand for high-performance yarns in both domestic consumption and export markets over the coming decade.

Pioneering Textile Recycling and Circularity

A significant element of Oerlikon’s strategy is the integration of sustainability. The company is actively promoting mechanical recycling solutions capable of converting both PET bottle waste and process/garment textile waste into usable fibre.

Mr. Ghosh highlighted that textile-to-Textile Recycling, the ability to reclaim and re-spin process and garment waste, is a pivotal development for achieving circularity in the industry. By enabling customers to incorporate recycled feedstocks without compromising yarn performance, Oerlikon is addressing the global imperative to manage mounting textile waste and reduce lifecycle emissions, labeling reliable recycling routes as "key for the future."

Strategic Investment in India

Oerlikon views India as a rapidly growing and strategic market, contrasting its accelerating momentum with the moderating growth seen in some other regional economies. The company acknowledges the Government of India's supportive policies, including capital subsidies and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, which are powerful catalysts making Indian investments globally competitive.

To enhance customer support and reduce downtime, Oerlikon has strengthened its local footprint, establishing:

• A dedicated service station and repair shop in Baroda.

• A local stock of critical spare parts.

• An invested project-engineering and service team.

The company is also exploring further localization potential to shorten lead times and maximize the use of local content in its projects, ensuring greater agility in the subcontinent's fast-expanding market.

Oerlikon’s message is clear: it is positioning itself as a key partner for Indian companies looking to upgrade capacity, enter technical textile segments, and build sustainable, high-quality closed-loop value chains.