Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday shared an article by Union Minister Giriraj Singh, underlining the growing importance of technical textiles in India’s footwear industry and calling for greater recognition and expansion of their use.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Union Minister Shri Giriraj Singh brings out a simple but powerful insight that technical textiles in footwear are not an emerging concept but are already embedded in the industry. He emphasises that the task ahead is to recognise, organise and scale this integration, bringing the footwear sector more explicitly within the technical textiles ecosystem.”
In his article, Singh highlighted that technical textiles are emerging as key drivers of innovation, performance improvement, and export growth in the footwear sector. He noted that while India is the world’s second-largest footwear producer, it accounts for only a small share of global exports, indicating untapped potential.
Drawing from his visit to footwear clusters such as Agra, Singh observed that many manufacturers are already using advanced materials that enhance comfort, durability, and flexibility. However, these innovations are often not formally recognised as part of the technical textiles ecosystem.
He emphasised that shifting consumer preferences—towards lighter, more durable, and performance-oriented footwear—are accelerating the adoption of such materials. Globally, the footwear market produces nearly 23.9 billion pairs annually, with an estimated value of $500 billion. India contributes around 12.5 per cent of production but only about 2 per cent of exports.
The Minister also pointed out that the Indian footwear market is expanding rapidly, reaching approximately $20.67 billion in 2025. With rising incomes and changing consumption patterns, demand for high-performance and comfortable footwear is expected to grow significantly.
Singh outlined that the next phase of growth will be driven by a “Smart, Sustainable and Seamless” approach. This includes the integration of digital technologies such as AI-driven design and foot scanning, adoption of sustainable materials like recycled fibres, and use of advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D knitting to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
He also highlighted the sector’s employment potential, noting that the footwear industry employs over two million people in India, with nearly half being women, making it a key contributor to inclusive growth.
Singh further stressed that India’s established manufacturing hubs—including Agra, Kanpur, Chennai, Ranipet, Ambur, and Kolkata—provide a strong foundation for scaling innovation and enhancing global competitiveness.
Concluding his remarks, Singh said the integration of technical textiles into footwear is not about creating a new industry but about unlocking the full potential of an existing one. He added that aligning traditional manufacturing strengths with advanced materials and modern design can position India as a global leader in the footwear value chain.
