Home > Cover Story

Investments flow in processing sector, 12 new projects coming up
Sudha Swaminathan - Coimbatore

The much needed investments are finally happening in the processing sector, with new units being planned and some of the existing units on an expansion drive.

Twelve new projects are coming up in the first phase with a total outlay of more than Rs 110 crore at SIPCOT industrial estate at Perundurai, 70 kms from here, where 300 acres of land has been allotted for the textile processing sector. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has granted consent for construction of eight units, of which four are ready for operations, with trials being underway. The remaining units are in the process of drafting blue prints and project proposals for financial assistance, government sources informed.

The new units will have modern processing technologies like softflow, balloon padding and colour communication systems. Besides, some of the units are also equipped to add value to garments viz anti-microbial and wrinkle free finishes, etc.

Speaking to Express Textile, Mr Vivekanand, Sakthi Knitting, says “Irrelevant and crude processing methods with obsolete technology are still being practiced in the industry. To strengthen the processing sector, new capacities with hi-end technology should be created. Huge capacities are necessary under one roof to handle bulk volumes. This can ensure colour harmony and can bring in quality. Processing different lots (fabric) of a single shade in two-three units has been the drawback for our garment manufacturers till now.” Sakthi Knitting’s processing unit, Coloursburg has the capacity to process 13 tonnes per day with an investment of Rs 30.3 crore. “We need to create additional capacities to process another 10-15 tonnes to cater to bulk volumes” added Mr Vivekanand.

Emerging quality consciousness among the garment manufacturers is likely to increase the demand for quality fabrics. The units are adhering to innovative processing techniques to operate in a competitive environment. “The potential is always available as we offer high standards at competitive cost. Our expertise in innovative processing methods can reduce cost of production without affecting quality,” said Mr Shyam Garg, Tribeni Processors of Surat, which has recently expanded its operation into knitted fabrics.

The company is presently processing 70,000 meters of polyester and blended fabrics per day. “ The market is always ready to absorb innovative products if quality is intact and cost is reasonable,” said Mr Vivekanand. Sakthi Knitting has set minimum requirement quality parameters, which will enable the company to cater to both niche and low profile market. “We will not entertain any order which is below our standard parameters.” The company is also working with international dye manufacturers like Clariant, Ciba and Dystar on the quality and quantum of input required to obtain a specific quality, thereby reducing wastages.

The upcoming new units at Perundurai have jointly promoted a CETP to treat the effluents. Constructed at a cost of Rs 11 crore, the CETP has the facility to treat wash water and dye bath separately. Moreover, all the units have installed an online monitoring system, which will regulate the flow of effluents from the individual unit to the common facility.

“Hitherto operating on a trail basis, we are expecting consent to operate from the pollution control board in a weeks time,” informed Mr Shanmugam, general manager, CETP-Perundurai. The CETP has the capacity to treat 36 lakh litre of wash water per day and 4.50 lakh litre of dye bath per day. With technical and financial assessment being completed, it is expected that the subsidy will follow in a few months. “NEERI has completed the technical evaluation and has recommended for funding to the ministry of environment and forest,” he further informed.

The CETP is working also with various academic and research institutions to avail expert advice. It has recently inked an MOU with Kongu Engineering College, Perundurai to exploit alternate usage of the sludge. It may be noted that the project is approved by Anna University and IIT, Chennai.

Also, it is learnt that few industrialist have evinced interest and have land at SIPCOT. “Units coming up in the second phase will have to construct a new CETP,” observed Mr Shanmugam.