India's technical textile exports to UK could touch $1B
31 Jul 2025

India's technical textile exports to the UK could reach $1 billion by 2030, up from the current $240 million.

The projection comes under the recently signed India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA).

The deal provides 100% duty-free access for Indian exports to the UK, giving India a competitive edge over China in this sector.

Key sub-segments set to grow under CETA
Market potential

The UK currently imports more than $7 billion worth of technical textiles each year.

Shaleen Toshniwal, Chairman of the Manmade Fibre and Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council (MATEXIL), said key sub-segments such as Agrotech, Geotech, Hometech, Indutech, Packtech, and Sportech are set to grow under this agreement.

He highlighted India's cost competitiveness and manufacturing strength as major factors driving this growth.

New avenues for Indian exporters
Export expansion

The CETA covers 99% of the UK's tariff lines. This opens new avenues for several sectors, especially technical textiles.

"With the removal of tariff barriers, Indian exporters can now significantly enhance their footprint in the UK across high-potential categories like medical textiles, protective wear, geo-textiles, industrial fabrics, and agro-tech textiles," Toshniwal said.

India has competitive edge over China now
Competitive advantage

Bhadresh Dodhia, Immediate Past Chairman of MATEXIL, said India now has a major competitive advantage over China in this area as the latter does not have any FTA with the UK.

He advised Indian technical textile exporters to proactively study UK market requirements, technical standards, and sustainability norms until the agreement is fully implemented.

This will help them better position themselves and reap maximum benefits from CETA.