**Executive Summary**
The National Seminar on “New Age Fibres – Innovation, Research and the Road Ahead” was held on 19 May 2026 in New Delhi to advance India's sustainable textile ecosystem and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The event facilitated the release of three Task Force reports and a strategic roadmap aimed at scaling production and positioning India as a global leader in sustainable textiles by 2030. Key action items include the formulation of a comprehensive policy framework and the commencement of regular virtual meetings to monitor sector progress.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Objectives and Governance**
* The seminar focused on the strategic role of new-age fibres in promoting sustainability, reducing environmental impact, and generating rural employment.
* The Union Minister announced that regular virtual meetings will be conducted with stakeholders to ensure continuous engagement and monitor the development of the fibre ecosystem.
* The Ministry released a "New Age Fibres" booklet and detailed Task Force reports to guide structured sector development.
**Fibre Categories and Characteristics**
* Targeted fibres include pineapple, flax, milkweed, bamboo, hemp, nettle, banana, ramie, and kapok.
* These fibres are recognized for being eco-friendly, biodegradable, and versatile, offering opportunities for agricultural diversification.
**Framework and Policy Development**
* Deliberations emphasized the creation of a comprehensive policy framework supported by research institutions and standardization mechanisms.
* Three Task Forces presented findings on resource availability, cultivation practices, and extraction technologies across specific fibre categories.
* Emphasis was placed on inter-ministerial coordination to mainstream these fibres into the national economy.
**Innovation and Commercialization**
* The event featured the "New Age Fibres Expo," showcasing technologies for milkweed applications, bamboo composites, and pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) utilization.
* Discussions addressed techno-commercial barriers, including the need for cost-effective machinery, improved extraction technologies, and consistent quality standards.
* Stakeholders called for cluster-based processing models and the establishment of robust supply chains linking producers to international markets.
**2030 Strategic Roadmap**
* The roadmap aims to scale production, improve value chains, and enhance the branding of Indian sustainable fibres.
* A key focus is aligning the sector with international sustainability frameworks and developing certifications for global competitiveness.
**Impact Analysis**
**Policymakers and Government Officials**
**Impact**
Responsible for transitioning seminar insights into actionable policy and coordinating inter-ministerial efforts.
**Action Required**
Draft a comprehensive New Age Fibre policy framework and establish infrastructure for processing and value addition.
**Industry Leaders, Startups, and Entrepreneurs**
**Impact**
Affected by new investment opportunities in eco-friendly textiles and the need for commercially viable business models.
**Action Required**
Drive technological innovation, strengthen market linkages, and participate in regular virtual progress monitoring sessions.
**Researchers and Academia**
**Impact**
Tasked with solving technical bottlenecks related to fibre extraction and quality consistency.
**Action Required**
Focus R&D efforts on cost-effective machinery and collaborative projects to bridge supply chain gaps.
**Farmers and Rural Communities**
**Impact**
Potential for increased income through agricultural diversification and new livelihood opportunities in rural areas.
**Action Required**
Adopt new cultivation practices and participate in cluster-based processing models to link with market producers.
Key Entities Referenced
New Age Fibre policy framework: A comprehensive framework under development to foster innovation, strengthen research, and build resilient value chains in the sustainable textiles sector.
National Jute Board: The organizing body under the Ministry of Textiles that convened stakeholders to deliberate on the transformative potential of emerging sustainable fibres.
Task Forces on New Age Fibres: Three specialized groups constituted to provide detailed reports on different fibre categories including flax, hemp, bamboo, and banana to guide structured sectoral development.
The 2030 Roadmap: A strategic plan for NAF evolution focused on mainstreaming new-age fibres into the textile economy and establishing global standards for competitiveness.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: The national vision for self-reliance which the development of the new-age fibre ecosystem is intended to support and achieve.
Ministry of Textiles
Union Minister of Textiles,Shri Giriraj Singh
Inaugurates the National Seminar on “New Age
Fibres – Innovation, Research and the Road
Ahead”
New Age fibres will play a crucial role in achieving the vision
of Atmanirbhar Bharat while contributing to India’s
commitments toward sustainable development : Giriraj Singh
Posted On: 19 MAY 2026 9:10PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh inaugurated the National Seminar on “New Age Fibre:
Innovation, Research and the Road Ahead” today in New Delhi .The seminar was organized by the
Ministry of Textiles through the National Jute Board, that brought together a wide spectrum of
stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, innovators, startups, and academia to
deliberate on the transformative potential of emerging sustainable fibres for India’s textile sector.The event
was graced by Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles, Smt. Neelam Shami Rao,
Secretary, Ministry of Textiles and other senior officials reflecting the Government’s strong commitment
towards promoting sustainability, innovation, and self-reliance in the fibre ecosystem.Addressing the seminar, Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles, underscored the strategic role of
new-age fibres in promoting sustainability, reducing environmental impact, and generating employment
opportunities. He further stated that regular virtual meetings will be conducted with stakeholders to ensure
continuous engagement, monitor progress, and accelerate the development of the new-age fibre
ecosystem. The Minister highlighted that these fibres can play a crucial role in achieving the vision of
Atmanirbhar Bharat while contributing to India’s commitments toward sustainable development .Shri
Pabitra Margherita,Minister of State for Textiles, emphasized the role of innovation, skill development,
and grassroots entrepreneurship in strengthening the fibre ecosystem.Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary
(Textiles) highlighted the importance of translating insights into actionable policy measures.
The seminar extensively focused on a range of emerging new age fibres such as pineapple fibre, flax
fibre, milkweed fibre, bamboo fibre, hemp fibre, nettle fibre, banana fibre, ramie fibre, and kapok
fibre. These fibres are being increasingly recognized for their eco-friendly, biodegradable, and versatile
characteristics. Their development is expected to contribute significantly to agricultural diversification,
livelihood generation in rural areas, and the expansion of value-added products in domestic as well as
international markets.
The programme commenced with the inauguration of the “New Age Fibres Expo” by the Union Minister
of Textiles, followed by a walkthrough of the exhibition stalls that showcased innovative products and
technologies based on natural fibres. The ceremonial lighting of the lamp marked the formal inauguration.
Welcoming the dignitaries and participants, Shri Shashi Bhushan Singh, Secretary, National Jute Board,
set the tone for the seminar by underlining the importance of new-age fibres in achieving sustainability,
enhancing farmers’ income, and strengthening India’s global position in eco-friendly textiles. He
emphasized that India’s diverse agro-climatic conditions provide a strong foundation for scaling up these
fibres.
A significant highlight of the inaugural session was the launch of the New Age Fibres booklet and the
release of detailed reports prepared by three Task Forces on New Age Fibres. These reports are expected
to guide the structured development of the sector. In her keynote address, Mrs. Padmini Singla, Joint
Secretary (Fibre), Ministry of Textiles, outlined the domestic and global landscape of new-age fibres,
noting the rapid global shift toward biodegradable and sustainable materials and the increasing demand for
environmentally responsible textile solutions.
The first thematic session, titled “Foundational Framework: Building the NAF Blueprint,” laid the
groundwork for a structured approach to the development of new-age fibres. Moderated by Mrs. Vrunda
Manohar Desai, Textile Commissioner, the session featured presentations from the three Task Forces
constituted to examine different fibre categories. The Task Forces presented detailed findings on flax,
milkweed and hemp; bamboo, ramie and sisal; and banana, pineapple and kapok. The discussions
highlighted current resource availability, cultivation practices, fibre extraction technologies, supply chain
gaps, and the need for institutional coordination. The session emphasized the importance of creating a
comprehensive policy framework supported by research institutions, standardization mechanisms, and
capacity-building initiatives to enable scaling up of production and processing.
The second session, “The Entrepreneurial Edge: Real-World Models for NAF Growth,” brought valuable
industry insights into focus. Moderated by Mrs. Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary (Fibre), the session
featured leading entrepreneurs and industry representatives who shared their experiences in developing
commercially viable business models around new-age fibres. Industry leaders showcased innovations in
milkweed fibre applications, flax and hemp textiles, bamboo composites, ramie processing, banana fibre
products, and pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) utilization. The session emphasized the role of startups, private
sector participation, and technological innovation in driving growth in this emerging segment. It also
highlighted the importance of building strong market linkages, brand positioning, and investment
ecosystems to support entrepreneurship in new-age fibres.The third session, “Breaking the Barrier: Solving the Techno-Commercial Puzzle of NAF,” addressed key
challenges that currently hinder the widespread adoption and commercialization of these fibres.
Moderated by Dr. Gouranga Kar, Director, CRIJAF, the session brought together experts from premier
research institutions, government departments, and industry. Discussions focused on critical issues such as
improving fibre extraction and processing technologies, developing cost-effective machinery, addressing
logistical challenges, and ensuring quality consistency. The panel also emphasized the need to strengthen
research and development efforts, promote farmer awareness, encourage cluster-based processing models,
and establish effective supply chains linking producers to markets. Stakeholders called for increased
collaboration between agriculture, textiles, and industry sectors to overcome existing bottlenecks.
The fourth and final session, “The 2030 Roadmap: A Strategic Plan for NAF Evolution,” focused on long-
term vision and policy direction for integrating new-age fibres into the mainstream textile economy.
Moderated by Mrs. Amrit Raj, Jute Commissioner & DC Handicrafts, the session included inputs from
policymakers, experts, and industry representatives. The discussions underscored the importance of
mainstreaming these fibres through policy support, enhancing inter-ministerial coordination, building
infrastructure for processing and value addition, and developing standards and certifications for global
competitiveness. Participants also emphasized the need to promote exports, strengthen branding of Indian
sustainable fibres, and align the sector with international sustainability frameworks. The session
culminated in outlining a strategic roadmap aimed at scaling up production, improving value chains, and
positioning India as a leader in sustainable textile innovation by 2030.
The deliberations and recommendations from the seminar are expected to form the basis for a
comprehensive New Age Fibre policy framework aimed at fostering innovation, strengthening research
and development, building resilient value chains, and enhancing India’s competitiveness in the global
sustainable textiles market.
*****
MAM
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