The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is strengthening collaboration between the United Kingdom and India through the launch of the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition, an initiative aimed at expanding trade opportunities and supporting technological growth in the textile machinery sector.
The coalition has been introduced in collaboration with Fibre2Fashion and is expected to create stronger business connections between UK textile machinery manufacturers and India’s rapidly expanding textile industry. The move follows the UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in 2025, which is expected to improve trade access and reduce tariff barriers for textile-related products.
According to BTMA CEO Jason Kent, the agreement will improve competitiveness for Indian textile exporters while also creating new opportunities for UK machinery suppliers. India continues to invest heavily in the modernization of spinning, weaving, processing, and finishing operations, making it a key market for advanced textile technologies.
Industry experts believe the coalition will help facilitate technology exchange, machinery partnerships, knowledge sharing, and sustainable manufacturing practices between the two countries. The initiative is also expected to strengthen bilateral trade relations and support innovation across the textile value chain.
The official launch of the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition took place at the India ITME Centre in Mumbai. The platform aims to connect Indian textile mills with leading UK machinery providers through trade forums, webinars, networking initiatives, and collaborative business programs.
Alongside its international expansion strategy, BTMA is also focusing on future industry development within the UK. The association has introduced leadership programs, training initiatives, and placement bursaries to strengthen the skills pipeline and support long-term growth in the textile machinery sector.
Founded over 80 years ago, BTMA represents UK companies involved in textile machinery manufacturing and engineering. The association continues to promote innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration within the textile technology industry.