The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) under the Ministry of Textiles has supported a new project that introduces India’s first scientific model for dignified recycling of retired national flags and high-performance aramid fibres. The initiative marks a major step in promoting sustainability within the technical textiles sector.
The project has led to the establishment of the Atal Centre of Textile Recycling and Sustainability at Panipat, set up under IIT Delhi. It brings together technology, innovation, and national objectives through two key programmes – the National Flag Recycling Initiative and the Aramid Fibre Recycling Programme.
Punjab, Haryana and Delhi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) will organise a demonstration event in Panipat on 28 November 2025 to showcase these innovations and their applications. The event will present the technologies developed under NTTM, engage industry and government stakeholders, and highlight the mission’s role in advancing sustainability and integration in technical textiles.
For the first time, India now has a structured and scientifically supported system for the dignified recycling of national flags. Implemented with an industry partner, the process ensures that fabric from retired flags is either preserved or responsibly repurposed without compromising its dignity. The initiative also aligns with the objectives of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
The project has also introduced solutions for recycling aramid fibre waste. Aramid fibres are widely used in defence, aerospace, and protective textiles, and managing this waste has been a long-standing challenge. The new recycling programme has developed methods for handling and repurposing these high-performance materials.
Several technical textile companies have already begun adopting the research outcomes, signalling industry confidence and demonstrating the mission’s progress in converting R&D into commercially viable applications.