UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition Launched in Mumbai to Strengthen…

Sarah J · 2026-05-14T17:18:49.000Z

The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA), in partnership with the India ITME Society, has officially launched the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition (UKITMC) in Mumbai, establishing a dedicated bilateral trade and technology corridor between the United Kingdom and India’s textile machinery industries. The initiative was inaugurated at the India ITME Centre by Vrunda Desai, Textile Commissioner of India, alongside senior representatives from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and leading textile industry stakeholders from both nations. The newly launched coalition is designed to create long-term collaboration between Indian textile manufacturers and advanced UK textile machinery providers. The platform will focus on technology transfer, industrial partnerships, automation, digitalisation, and sustainable textile manufacturing solutions across India’s rapidly expanding textile ecosystem. India’s textile and apparel industry is projected to reach a market size of $350 billion by 2030, driven by major government initiatives including the PM MITRA scheme and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programs for technical textiles. With more than half of Indian textile mills expected to modernise machinery over the next few years, the coalition aims to support manufacturers with access to next-generation textile technologies and global best practices. Speaking at the launch event, Vrunda Desai highlighted the importance of international industrial partnerships in strengthening India’s manufacturing competitiveness and sustainability goals. UK officials also emphasised that the expected implementation of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would further accelerate bilateral cooperation, especially with potential zero-duty access for key UK textile machinery imports into India. Jason Kent, Chief Executive Officer of BTMA, stated that UK textile machinery manufacturers are globally recognised for precision engineering, innovation, and high-performance systems, adding that the coalition would help Indian manufacturers move toward higher-value and technology-driven production capabilities. Ketan Sanghvi, Chairman of India ITME Society, noted that the initiative aligns closely with India’s broader push toward efficient, sustainable, and future-ready manufacturing infrastructure. The UKITMC platform will facilitate technical webinars, trade delegations, exhibitions, networking forums, and knowledge-sharing programs to help industry stakeholders evaluate emerging technologies and establish strategic partnerships. The coalition will also promote energy-efficient machinery and circular textile manufacturing solutions aligned with global sustainability priorities. The launch comes ahead of India ITME 2026, one of the world’s leading textile engineering exhibitions, further reinforcing India’s growing position as a global textile manufacturing and innovation hub.

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UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition Launched in Mumbai to Strengthen… | SEINET