India's RSWM wins CITI sustainability award at Bharat Tex 2026
Tue. 21st July 2026 (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
Insights: RSWM reinforced its sustainability leadership at Bharat Tex 2026 by winning CITI's Data-Driven Sustainability Excellence award and showcasing innovations including Milkweed Fibre and technical textiles.
The company powers 70 per cent of its operations with renewable energy, advances circularity through recycled PET fibres, and targets Net Zero by 2070
RSWM Limited, the flagship company of the LNJ Bhilwara Group, concluded a successful participation at Bharat Tex 2026, India's largest textile trade fair, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable textile manufacturing through product innovation, industry engagement and national recognition. The company won the 'Data-Driven Sustainability Excellence in Textile Manufacturing' award at the CITI Textile Sustainability Awards & CITI-Birla Awards 2025-26, recognising its commitment to integrating data-driven monitoring and sustainability practices across its manufacturing operations.
Throughout the four-day exhibition, RSWM showcased its latest innovations and sustainability-led product portfolio under its master brand concept, SUTRADHAAR – The Thread That Connects Tradition to Tomorrow. The company's innovative Milkweed Fibre, a sustainable natural fibre offering enhanced comfort and performance, received an encouraging response from domestic and international buyers and customers for its unique value proposition and eco-friendly attributes.
RSWM also showcased its Protective Wear collection, reinforcing its growing focus on Technical Textiles through advanced solutions designed to address evolving industry requirements. Together, these innovations, backed by the company's sustainable manufacturing processes and product development capabilities, received strong appreciation from industry stakeholders. The Ministry of Textiles also appreciated the SUTRADHAAR concept for its compelling representation of RSWM's vision of seamlessly blending India's rich textile heritage with future-focused innovation and sustainability.
The RSWM pavilion hosted prominent government dignitaries, including Giriraj Singh, Hon'ble Minister of Textiles; Ms. Arti Kanwar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles; Ms. Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles; Mr. Rohit Kansal, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India; and Mr. Anil Kumar, Director, Ministry of Textiles. The dignitaries visited the pavilion and interacted with RSWM’s leadership team and gained firsthand insight into the company’s latest sustainable innovations and operational practices.
RSWM has implemented a robust environmental monitoring framework to strengthen its sustainability and operational excellence agenda. The Company continuously monitors key environmental parameters through real-time utility tracking, department-wise and process-specific water consumption assessment, and regular performance evaluation of its Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs). To ensure compliance with environmental standards, periodic stack and ambient air quality monitoring is carried out through NABL-accredited laboratories, while IoT-enabled sensors provide continuous operational oversight, enabling data-driven environmental management and enhanced resource efficiency. Sustainability initiatives are driven through cross-functional teams under an approved sustainability policy, with regular employee awareness and operational training programmes. Commenting on the successful conclusion of Bharat Tex 2026, Mr. Riju Jhunjhunwala, Chairman & Managing Director and CEO, RSWM Limited, said, "Bharat Tex 2026 has been an enriching experience for RSWM. The overwhelming response from customers, buyers and industry stakeholders reaffirmed the growing demand for innovative, sustainable and value-added textile solutions. We are delighted that our SUTRADHAAR concept resonated with visitors and received appreciation from the Ministry of Textiles. The platform provided us with an excellent opportunity to showcase our latest innovations, engage with partners from across the global textile value chain and reinforce our commitment to shaping the future of sustainable textiles." Speaking on the recognition, Mr. Rajeev Gupta, Joint Managing Director, RSWM Limited, said, "At RSWM, we believe that sustainability is strengthened through consistent monitoring, continuous improvement and responsible action. Data-driven practices enable us to better manage our resources, enhance operational efficiency and support our long-term sustainability journey. This recognition at the CITI Textile Sustainability Awards & CITI-Birla Awards 2025-26 serves as an encouragement for us to continue advancing our sustainability initiatives and contribute towards building a more responsible and futre-ready textile industry."
RSWM continues to strengthen its environmental performance through renewable energy adoption and innovative sustainability initiatives. Currently, 70% of the company's total energy consumption is met through renewable sources, with a target to further increase green energy adoption. The company has proposed 2070 as its Net Zero target year, a timeline currently undergoing formal operational review. Its key sustainability initiatives include biofuel conversion of boilers, renewable energy integration, water recycling and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) initiatives, as well as the recycling of post-consumer PET bottles into green fibre, supporting circularity within the textile value chain. In addition to its environmental initiatives, RSWM continues to promote sustainable sourcing, employee engagement and community development programmes focused on food security, healthcare, sanitation, safe drinking water, education, vocational skill development and livelihood enhancement. The company also continues to expand its portfolio of green products through the production of textile fibres made by recycling post-consumer PET bottles.
ICE cotton edges higher on weather concerns, stronger crude oil
Tue. 21st July 2026 (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
Insights: ICE cotton futures edged higher after a two-day decline, supported by weather concerns, stronger crude oil prices and positive sentiment from China's state cotton reserve auction. However, profit booking limited gains, while light trading volume signalled cautious market sentiment. Traders continue to watch US weather, export demand, and Chinese reserve purchases for clearer direction.
ICE cotton futures edged higher after a two-day decline. Although the market closed higher yesterday due to weather concerns, profit booking persisted. ICE cotton recorded significant intraday gains but ended the session with only modest gains. Higher crude oil prices also provided support to the natural fibre.
The most active December 2026 contract settled at 78.92 cents per pound, up 0.29 cent. The contract recorded intraday gains of 160 points before coming under selling pressure. The modest gain indicated that early buying interest faded, and the market finished with a relatively weak technical close despite ending in positive territory. Weather remained the market's primary supportive factor. The latest USDA Crop Progress Report showed 45 per cent of the US cotton crop rated good-to-excellent, up from 44 per cent the previous week, although still below 57 per cent recorded at the same time last year. Analysts continued to monitor hot and dry conditions across key US cotton-growing regions, particularly in West Texas, where moisture concerns persist. Market analysts said weather continues to dominate market sentiment, noting that forecasts still indicate high temperatures and dry conditions across key production regions, preventing traders from turning aggressively bearish despite the recent correction. Trading volume totalled just 32,026 contracts, compared with 40,829 contracts on Friday, making it the lightest trading session since July 2 and well below last week's average of 49,225 contracts. This suggested limited market conviction behind the rebound. China's first state cotton reserve auction was completed, with 8,006 tonnes (approximately 35,200 statistical bales) sold. The cotton offered consisted mainly of US and Brazilian origin, with only a small quantity from Xinjiang. While the auction was considered too small to materially influence the market, it confirmed that Chinese mills continued purchasing US cotton. China's Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE) cotton futures posted their largest daily gain since June 30, reflecting improved sentiment among Chinese mills and traders, possibly driven by short covering and optimism surrounding reserve purchases. Broader agricultural markets also supported cotton. CBOT soybean and corn futures moved higher as traders continued to monitor adverse weather across parts of the US Midwest, while concerns over global grain supplies remained supportive. Crude oil prices strengthened amid ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Russia and Ukraine and continued security concerns over shipping through the Red Sea. Higher crude oil prices increased the production cost of polyester fibre, thereby improving cotton's competitiveness against synthetic fibres. There was little additional US cotton-specific news, with no weekly export sales report or major crop progress surprises to influence trading. The session was largely driven by weather, outside markets, and China's reserve auction. Overall, Monday's recovery reflected weather-related support and improved sentiment from China, but the weak finish and very light trading volume suggest the market is still waiting for stronger confirmation through improved export demand, larger Chinese reserve auctions, and continued weather risks before establishing a sustained uptrend.
This morning (Indian Standard Time), ICE cotton for December 2026 traded at 79.41 cents per pound (up 0.49 cent), cash cotton at 73.62 cents (up 0.55 cent), the October 2026 contract at 77.37 cents (up 0.30 cent), the March 2027 contract at 80.78 cents (up 0.49 cent), the May 2027 contract at 81.69 cents (up 0.47 cent), and the July 2027 contract at 81.48 cents (up 0.50 cent). A few contracts remained unchanged from their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded in them so far today.
Deloitte sees India's FY2026-27 growth at 6.5-6.8%
Tue. 21st July 2026 (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
Insights: Deloitte expects India's economy to grow 6.5-6.8 per cent in FY26-27 as geopolitical tension and global trade uncertainties weigh on the outlook.
The consultancy said free trade agreements with key partners, supported by industrial reforms, domestic value addition and stronger supply chains, will be critical to sustaining long-term growth, boosting exports and reducing dependence.
India's economic resilience will increasingly depend on the successful implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs) and complementary industrial reforms as geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and inflationary pressures reshape the global economy, according to Deloitte's latest India Economic Outlook. The report projects India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 6.5-6.8 per cent in FY2026-27, lower than the strong momentum seen in the previous fiscal, as rising external risks weigh on economic activity. While India entered 2026 from a position of macroeconomic strength, Deloitte said prolonged geopolitical uncertainty, particularly in the Middle East, has exposed structural vulnerabilities that could influence inflation, trade and investment flows, it said in an article from Dr. Rumki Majumdar and Debdatta Ghatak. The firm stated that India's economic outlook has become considerably more uncertain following geopolitical developments and disruptions to global trade routes.
The outlook identifies seven key risks facing the economy, including capital-flow volatility, currency depreciation, inflationary pressures, fiscal constraints, delays in the proposed India-US trade agreement, elevated global interest rates and the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) policy trade-offs.
Foreign portfolio investment outflows reached approximately $18 billion during FY2025-26 and accelerated to $21.6 billion during March-April 2026 amid global uncertainty. Meanwhile, the Indian rupee weakened nearly 10 per cent against the US dollar during the previous fiscal before recovering partially to above ₹94 per dollar.
Inflation is expected to rise to 5.5 per cent in FY2026-27, driven by higher crude oil prices, imported input costs, currency weakness and possible weather-related food inflation linked to El Nino, before easing to 4.2 per cent in the following fiscal.
Despite higher subsidy spending and lower customs revenue affecting public finances, the consultancy firm expects government capital expenditure to remain largely intact.
The report expects economic growth to remain moderate during the first half of FY2026-27 before strengthening during the October-December festive season as domestic demand improves and geopolitical uncertainties gradually ease.
India's expanding network of FTAs will play a significantly larger role in sustaining long-term economic resilience than simply improving export access, as per the outlook.
India has signed 22 FTAs, including eight over the past six years, reflecting a more strategic trade policy aimed at diversifying export markets, strengthening supply-chain resilince and securing access to critical imports.
The report noted that agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Mauritius and Australia have already improved India's market presence, while recently concluded or ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union could create new opportunities across electronics, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles and auto components.
Deloitte said modern FTAs should also be viewed as instruments for strengthening manufacturing competitiveness by ensuring diversified access to intermediate inputs required by sectors such as electronics, machinery and chemicals.
The consultancy cautioned that trade agreements alone will not be sufficient to strengthen India's long-term competitiveness.
It said industrial policies, including production-linked incentive schemes, infrastructure development and domestic capability building, must complement FTAs by increasing local value addition and gradually reducing dependence on imported intermediate goods.
At the same time, improving the ease of doing business, simplifying compliance procedures, increasing awareness of FTA provisions and strengthening logistics infrastructure will be essential to maximise the benefits of India's expanding trade network.
Deloitte concluded that India's preferential trade access across 38 countries provides an opportunity to deepen integration with global value chains, provided trade liberalisation is supported by sustained industrial reforms and effective implementation.
CCI Cotton Sales Reach 85.04 Lakh Bales in 2025-26 Season
(Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
State-wise CCI Cotton Sales Details – 2025-26 Season
The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Increased its cotton candy prices by upto ₹800 per candy during this week . CCI has sold approximately 85,04,800 cotton bales for the 2025-26 season. Sales are highly concentrated in a few major cotton-producing states, Maharashtra, Telangana and Gujarat emerging as the leading contributors.
Kharif Crops in Pachod-Paithan at Risk Due to Rainfall Deficit
Tue. 21st July 2026, Jayesh Chouhan (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com
Kharif Crops in Pachod-Paithan at Risk Due to Lack of Rain
Pachod (Maharashtra): Kharif crops in the Pachod and Paithan talukas are facing a severe crisis due to the absence of rainfall over the past three weeks. Crops are on the verge of withering due to the lack of adequate rain. Young plants are scorching under the intense heat and sunlight, creating a situation where farmers may be forced to undertake re-sowing.
After a long gap of nearly ten years, the monsoon arrived with a delay of about a month this year, resulting in Kharif sowing being completed on only half of the cultivable land. Farmers arranged for seeds by borrowing money or using their limited savings and completed sowing across approximately 63,000 hectares in the ten revenue circles of Paithan taluka. Initially, seed germination was good, and crop growth was satisfactory following the early rains. However, just as farmers finished agricultural tasks like weeding and hoeing, the rainfall suddenly ceased.
Soil moisture is depleting rapidly due to the lack of continuous rain. The impact is clearly visible on Kharif crops such as cotton, pearl millet (bajra), and green gram (moong). The lack of moisture has also led to increased pest infestations, and plants in the fields have started to wilt.
Farmers are making every possible effort to save their crops. Some are manually watering plants using small vessels, while others are utilizing the limited water remaining in their wells through drip irrigation systems. If good rainfall does not occur soon, farmers may face the prospect of re-sowing, which threatens to impose an additional financial burden on them.
El Nino Impact: Karimnagar Farmers Advised to Choose Low-Water Crops
Tue. 21st July 2026, Jayesh Chouhan (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com
El Nino effect: Advice to farmers in Karimnagar to adopt low water crops except paddy
KARIMNAGAR: Due to weak monsoon and El Nino impact in Telangana's Karimnagar district, the agriculture department has advised farmers to switch to low water intensive crops like paddy in Kharif season. In view of the shortage of water for irrigation, the district administration has implemented a contingency plan, so that the loss of the farmers can be reduced.
District Agriculture Officer J. Bhagyalakshmi said that a serious shortage of irrigation has been revealed in the departmental survey. Farmers have been appealed to sow low water ready crops like groundnut, moong, cowpea and sunflower. According to the Irrigation Department, Lower Manair Dam currently has 5.568 tmcft of water available, while its total capacity is 24.034 tmcft. This water reservoir will be reserved for the next 90 days mainly for drinking water needs.
Despite having around 1.57 lakh acres of agricultural land in Karimnagar, sowing was affected in a large area till July 15 due to shortage of water. District Collector Chitra Mishra has directed officials of the Agriculture and Irrigation Department to promote alternative crops and implement an emergency action plan.
At the same time, the effect of El Nino is clearly visible in Rajanna-Sirsila district. As against the usual 2.45 lakh acres, only 93 thousand acres have been sown so far, affecting about 40 percent of the district's agricultural activities.
Kharif Crop Crisis Deepens as Monsoon Weakens, Sowing Falls in Maharashtra
Tue. 21st July 2026, Jayesh Chouhan (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com
Kharif crop crisis in many states due to lack of rain, sowing reduced in Maharashtra, farmers of Gujarat-Telangana worried
Slow pace of monsoon and long dry spells in many states of the country have created a crisis for Kharif crops. Farmers in Telangana, Maharashtra and Gujarat are worried about loss of cotton, soybean, groundnut and other kharif crops. Due to lack of continuous rains, the moisture in the fields is decreasing rapidly, which is affecting the growth of crops and also increasing the risk of cost increase for the farmers.
Farmers in Telangana's Adilabad district say late arrival of monsoon and prolonged absence of rains in July have stunted the growth of cotton, soybean and red gram crops. Inspite of light rain, the fields have not been sufficiently moistened. Mora Kishtu, a farmer of Ada village in Zainad mandal, said that he had sown cotton in 20 acres after initial rains in late June, but now timely rains are very important for good yield. Around 4.25 lakh acres of cotton has been cultivated in the district this Kharif season, but drought-like conditions have increased farmers' worries.
In Maharashtra too, the pace of kharif sowing has slowed down due to the effects of El Nino and weak monsoon. According to the Agriculture Department, only 86.92 lakh hectares or 60 percent of the state's 144.36 lakh hectare agricultural area has been sown till July 15, 2026, while this figure was 84 percent during the same period last year. Due to the lack of rain in many areas, farmers have to re-sow, which increases the cost of production. Soybean and cotton are the most sown in the state, while Marathwada, Vidarbha and Konkan are among the worst affected regions.
Jessar and nearby villages of Bhavnagar district of Gujarat have also not received enough rain for the last 15 to 20 days. Farmers had completed sowing of cotton and groundnut after initial good rains, but now the plants have started drying up due to lack of moisture in the fields. Farmers who do not have irrigation facilities are the most affected. Farmers say that if there is no good rain in the next four-five days, the cotton and groundnut crops may suffer heavy losses. Farmers of all the three states are now waiting for good rains on time, as the rains in the coming days will decide the status of Kharif crops.
India-UK Trade Pact May Nearly Double Exports by FY31
Tue. 21st July 2026, Jayesh Chouhan (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com
India-UK Trade Pact May Nearly Double Exports By FY31; Textiles, Leather Among Biggest Beneficiaries
India's exports to the UK are projected to rise to $24.2 billion by FY31 from $13.5 billion in FY26, following the implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), according to a Bank of Baroda Research report.
The trade pact, which came into force on July 15, is expected to significantly boost Indian exports by eliminating tariffs on nearly all goods shipped to the UK. The report estimates bilateral trade between the two countries could increase to $41 billion by FY31, up from $25.1 billion in FY26, with India's exports expected to outpace imports, further widening its trade surplus.
Textiles & Apparel To Gain The agreement removes the around 12% tariff previously levied on Indian textile and apparel exports, placing Indian manufacturers on a level playing field with competitors such as Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Bank of Baroda Research estimates exports from the sector could increase to $3.1 billion by FY31 from $2.1 billion over the next five years. Listed companies with notable UK exposure include Gokaldas Exports, KPR Mill and Welspun Living, according to company disclosures.
Leather, Manufacturing Sectors Also Stand To Benefit
The report noted that around 99% of India's exports by value will now enjoy tariff-free access to the UK. This is expected to improve the competitiveness of labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and leather, as well as manufacturing industries including electronics, pharmaceuticals and engineering goods.
On the import side, India has adopted a phased approach to tariff reductions while continuing to protect sensitive sectors such as dairy, agriculture, smartphones and electric vehicles.
According to Bank of Baroda Research, the agreement is expected to strengthen India's export competitiveness, particularly for MSMEs and labour-intensive industries, while supporting a larger trade surplus with the UK over the next five years.
India Seeks to Reclaim Its Global Textile Leadership
Tue. 21st July 2026, Jayesh Chouhan (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
India Once Dominated the Textile Trade; Now Faces the Challenge of Re-establishing Global Recognition
New Delhi: India was once among the world's leading textile trading hubs. Today, the country possesses the entire textile value chain—spanning from cotton production to spinning, weaving, processing, garment manufacturing, and exports. The sector's greatest strength lies in its capacity to generate employment. However, to strengthen its position amidst global competition, India requires robust institutions, modern technology, and a long-term strategy.
Few industries have left as profound an impact on India’s civilization, culture, and economy as the textile industry. Long before the modern concept of global value chains emerged, textile manufacturing had already become an integral part of India's economic, cultural, and commercial fabric.
Excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro have yielded evidence of spindles, needles, and artifacts related to textile production and dyeing. These represent some of the earliest traces of textile-related activities in India. The tradition that flourished during the Indus Valley Civilization continued to evolve over subsequent centuries through trade, innovation, and exquisite craftsmanship.
For nearly two thousand years, Indian textiles enjoyed strong demand in markets across Asia and Europe. During the Mughal era, Bengal emerged as a vital hub for cotton textile production. The fine muslin of Dhaka was renowned for its superior quality and was highly sought after in international markets. Meanwhile, Murshidabad rose as a key center for the trade of silk and other high-quality fabrics.
According to estimates by economist Angus Maddison, India accounted for approximately one-quarter of global economic output in the year 1700. Subsequently, the Industrial Revolution transformed the landscape of global competition. Innovations such as James Hargreaves' Spinning Jenny and other weaving machinery fueled mass production. Competitive advantage was no longer solely dependent on the skills of artisans but came to rely on technology, productivity, and economies of scale. Following this shift, India gradually became a major supplier of raw cotton to the mills of Britain's Lancashire region and a vast market for finished garments. Today, the challenge before India is not merely to replicate its glorious textile past but to forge a new identity as a modern global textile powerhouse. This will require robust institutions, modern technology, innovation, a skilled workforce, and better coordination across the entire value chain.
Cotton blossoms as India’s ‘white gold’
Tue. 21st July 2026, Source: (www.thehawk.in/news/)
India Emerges as Global Cotton Powerhouse: Production, Exports, and Government Initiative.
New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) India ranks first globally in acreage and second in production and consumption of cotton, with the country’s cotton production standing at 290.91 lakh bales in 2025-26 while domestic consumption reached 328 lakh bales during the same period, according to an official factsheet issued on Monday. The sector contributes nearly 19 per cent of global fibre production, according to the government.
Recent interventions by the government to promote the production of cotton focus on productivity, quality, market access and value addition.
MSP operations continue to provide price support during market downturns. The Mission for Cotton Productivity aims to raise output to 498 lakh bales by 2031.
Technology demonstrations, digital procurement and traceability initiatives are strengthening competitiveness. These efforts are enhancing productivity, improving quality and reinforcing India’s position in the global cotton economy, the government said.
Due to its economic importance in India, cotton is also termed as 'White-Gold'.
The crop supports the livelihoods of around 6 million cotton farmers with 114.84 lakh hectares devoted to the crop nationwide. It also sustains employment for another 40-50 million people engaged in related activities such as cotton processing and trade.
Beyond clothing, cotton plays a vital role in earning foreign exchange through exports of fibre, yarn, fabrics and garments.
India continues to maintain a strong presence in the global cotton trade.
In 2024-25, the country exported an estimated 18 lakh bales, equivalent to 0.31 million metric tonnes. This accounts for about 3.37 per cent of total world exports, amounting to 541.69 lakh bales (9.21 million metric tonnes), which reflects India’s role as a significant exporter in the international cotton market.
Further, India exports cotton to several major global markets, reflecting strong and diversified international demand.
In value terms, cotton exports reached $11.49 billion in FY25.
The United States of America emerged as the largest destination for Indian cotton fabrics and made-ups exports, accounting for 26.35 per cent of cotton exports, following Bangladesh (19.81 per cent) and Sri Lanka (5.11 per cent).
Other important destinations included the United Kingdom, with a share of 2.38 per cent, and the United Arab Emirates, at 2.32 per cent.
These export patterns highlight the diverse global demand for Indian cotton.
Cotton production in India is largely concentrated in 9 major states, grouped into 3 distinct agro-ecological zones: Northern Zone comprising Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan; Central Zone comprising Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh and Southern Zone comprising Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
In addition to these states, cotton is also grown in Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
