What are Technical textiles?

• Technical textiles are textile materials and products used primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than their aesthetic or decorative characteristics. They are engineered products with a definite functionality. 
• Technical textiles are manufactured using natural as well as man-made fibers such as Nomex, Kevlar, Spandex, Twaron that exhibit enhanced functional properties such as higher tenacity, excellent insulation, improved thermal resistance etc. 
• These products find end-use application across multiple non-conventional textile industries such as healthcare, construction, automobile, aerospace, sports, defense and agriculture. 

About NTTM

• • To position India as a global leader in Technical Textiles, the Ministry of Textiles launched the National Technical Textile Mission in 2020.
  • The Mission also supports the ‘Make in India’ initiative promoting domestic manufacturing of related machinery and equipment.
  • The Mission has a target to take the domestic market size of the technical textile sector to $ 40-50 Bn by the year 2024 with an average growth rate of 15-20% per annum.
  • The Mission comprise of the following four components:

• Research, Innovation and Development

• Promotion and Market Development

• Export Promotion

• Education, Training, Skill Development.

Why in News?

• The Union Minister of Textiles has approved 12 research projects of value INR 13.3 Cr. under the National Technical Textiles Mission.