SITRA Proposes ₹80-Crore Green Textile Processing Project for Tiruppur
The South India Textile Research Association (SITRA), headquartered in Coimbatore, has proposed a ₹80-crore initiative aimed at accelerating sustainable textile processing in India. The research body has sought support from both the Tamil Nadu and Union governments as the textile and apparel industry faces increasing pressure from global buyers to adopt environmentally responsible production practices.
As part of the proposal, SITRA plans to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Tiruppur, one of India’s leading garment manufacturing hubs, while also upgrading its research and development infrastructure in Coimbatore. The proposed centre will focus on developing and deploying advanced green processing technologies that help textile manufacturers reduce water consumption, salt usage, and environmental impact.
According to SITRA Director Prakash Vasudevan, the Centre of Excellence is expected to be developed on 2–3 acres of land and linked to a Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP). The facility will enable textile processing units connected to the CETP to benefit from innovative sustainable technologies and research outcomes.
SITRA has already made progress in developing saltless dyeing technologies and is currently working on waterless dyeing solutions. The proposed centre will serve as a platform for continuous research and innovation, helping the industry meet evolving sustainability requirements in international markets.
The project has also received industry backing. A. Sakthivel, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), recently urged Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh to extend support to the initiative during his visit to Tiruppur.
Tiruppur and nearby Perundurai are among Tamil Nadu’s key textile processing clusters. While many dyeing units in Tiruppur have adopted Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems, the disposal of sludge generated during effluent treatment remains a significant challenge. Industry stakeholders believe the proposed Centre of Excellence could play a crucial role in addressing such environmental concerns while strengthening the competitiveness of India’s textile exports.