The South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) has proposed an Rs 80-crore (US $9.6 million) project to accelerate green textile processing, aiming to help India’s textile and apparel exporters meet growing global sustainability requirements.
The proposal includes establishing a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Tiruppur, one of India’s largest garment manufacturing hubs, while strengthening research and development facilities at SITRA’s headquarters in Coimbatore.
The association has sought financial support from both the Tamil Nadu and Union governments for the initiative.
SITRA is focusing its research on reducing water and salt consumption in textile processing to help manufacturers comply with the increasingly stringent environmental standards of international buyers.
The institute has already developed saltless dyeing technology and is currently advancing research on waterless dyeing as part of its ongoing sustainability efforts.
According to SITRA Director Prakash Vasudevan, the Centre of Excellence will be developed on 2–3 acres and integrated with a common effluent treatment plant (CETP).
Textile processing units connected to the CETP will have access to advanced sustainable processing technologies developed through the centre.
The proposal has also received industry support, during the Union Textile Minister’s recent visit to Tiruppur, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman A. Sakthivel urged Textile Minister Giriraj Singh to extend government support to the project.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
