India
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Country Overview
TEXTILE WASTE
7,793,348
Post consumer textile waste
3,943,678
COTTON & COTTON RICH
61%
Polyester
9%
cotton - poly elastene
19%
Wool
0%
man-made fibre
5%
others
5%
acrylic
0%
pre consumer textile waste
Post Industrial textile waste
3,265,670
COTTON & COTTON RICH
61%
Polyester
4%
cotton - poly elastene
6%
Wool
2%
man-made fibre
3%
others
24%
acrylic
0%
Imported textile waste
584,000
COTTON & COTTON RICH
60%
Polyester
5%
cotton - poly elastene
0%
Wool
5%
man-made fibre
0%
others
5%
acrylic
25%
*This data is from Sorting for Circularity
KEY POINTS ON T&a LANDSCAPE
India’s apparel industry driven by domestic demand
$108B
Domestic market
$37B
Exports
$9.2B
Imports
India is the second-largest producer of textiles and garments and the fifth-largest exporter globally. Domestic market holds 80% share of the total market. Of the 20% export share, apparel holds the maximum share and fabrics sit at the top in imports share. India supplies to leading global brands like H&M, Zara, Gap, Levi’s, Primark, Marks & Spencer.
Cotton dominates India's fibre mix and is mainly used domestically
5,529 mT
Cotton Fibre Production
810mT
Viscose Fibre Production
Cotton remains dominant with 60% fibre share, but viscose is growing fastest at 9% CAGR. India ranks 2nd globally in cotton and MMF production with polyester dominance. Indian cotton is predominantly used for domestic industry due to high contamination level hence making it less competitive for exports.
Highly fragmented industry with a mix of large and small players
80%
Production capacity is SME
All levels of textile value chain i.e., from fibre/ filament to garment manufacturing are present in India, in both natural and synthetic fibres. There are several large integrated players, however, nearly 80% of its capacity is spread across Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) clusters.
Well-developed mechanical textile recycling ecosystem
1,940 kT
Annual mechanical recycling capacity
India is a global leader in mechanical textile recycling, particularly in processing cotton-rich pre-consumer waste. However, the sector faces challenges due to its predominantly informal structure and limited technology, which restrict its scope mainly to domestic markets and home textiles.
waste cost
waste Type
waste Type
waste Type
waste Type
Post - Industrial
Mixed
$0.64-0.77 /kg
White cutting
Post - Industrial
Mixed
$0.07-0.45 /kg
Mix cutting
Other Notes
- There is a predominance of low grade recycling using cotton rich pre-consumer textile waste and imported textile waste.
- Pre-consumer waste is primarily recycled (46%) and downcycled (37%), with minimal disposal, while post-consumer waste is mainly reused (51%) or incinerated/disposed of (43%).
- Panipat and Amroha serve as key recycling clusters for pre-consumer waste generated in Northern parts of the country and imported second hand clothing waste. Most of the waste generated in Southern India goes to the Tirupur-Coimbatore- Erode recycling belt.
production clusters
Key regions with fibre production:
Tiruppurᴬ, Suratᴮ, Coimbatoreᶜ, Bikanerᴰ, Alappuzhaᴱ, Malda-Murshidabadᶠ
Key regions with apparel production:
Tirupurᴬ, Suratᴮ, Ludhianaᶜ, Noidaᴰ, Ahmedabadᴱ, Kolkataᶠ, Bangaloreᴳ, Mumbaiᴴ
Other Notes
Major apparel manufacturers such as Arvind, Shahi, Orient Craft Ltd. and fibre producers like - Grasim Industries Ltd., Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Company Ltd. and Raymond Ltd.
Waste regulation
New Textile Policy (2024)
Aims to expand India’s textile sector, focusing on technical textiles, sustainability, and global competitiveness. It is for both new and existing textile enterprises—including manufacturers, MSMEs, and labour-intensive units—offering financial incentives, capital subsidies, and skill development.
PM MITRA Scheme
Aims to set up seven large, integrated textile parks across India to strengthen the entire textile value chain in one location. It provides world-class infrastructure, financial incentives (up to ₹800 crore per park), and aims to attract major investment and generate about 20 lakh jobs. The scheme is implemented through public-private partnership, with parks selected in states offering suitable land and ecosystem.
Tripartite MoU
Aims to reduce textile waste by promoting upcycled products through collaboration between the Textiles Committee, GeM, and SCOPE. It supports underserved sellers, artisans, and public enterprises with market access via GeM. It focuses on long-term circular economy integration.
Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI)
Aims to boost domestic manufacturing of MMF, technical textiles, and apparel with a budget of US$ 1.3 billion over five years. The scheme indirectly supports sustainable practices by encouraging modern production facilities and advanced materials. By lowering entry barriers and expanding product scope in PLI 2.0, the scheme creates opportunities for textile innovators to integrate energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy.
Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme
ATUFS is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Textiles, aimed at promoting modernization and technological upgradation in the Indian textile industry. It provides capital investment subsidy to textile mills for acquiring new and modern machinery.
SU.RE (Sustainable Resolution)
India’s largest apparel industry-led initiative launched in 2019 to drive sustainable sourcing, reduce environmental impact, and promote transparency across the textile value chain. It aligns with UN SDGs and aims for widespread adoption of sustainable practices by 2025. In 2025, SU.RE launched a platform featuring 600+ verified sustainable vendors to support ethical and traceable production across India’s fashion sector. Apart from the national regulations, individial states have also formed state specific policies to bolster waste management and green transition.
Other Measures
Apart from the national regulations, individual states have also formed state specific policies to bolster waste management and green transition.
Waste trade
584 KTon
Annual Import quantity (2022)
Annual Export quantity (2022)
Other Notes
- Imported textile waste accounts for 7% of India’s total textile waste and is categorized into two types: mutilated rags with HS Code 6310 and second-hand clothing with HS Code 6309. Used clothing showing signs of mutilation and wear also falls under HS Code 6310.
- Imports of second-hand garments are restricted to Kandla port only, while imports of mutilated rags are allowed freely at all Indian ports.
green energy
17.97%
Renewable energy in final energy consumption (2021)
Major sources being harnessed for renewable energy in India are - Hydro (40.4%), wind (26.3%) solar (33.3%)
Other Notes
- India’s Long-Term Low-Carbon Strategy targets net zero by 2070 through transition to clean energy, electrification, green hydrogen, efficiency, and afforestation, while ensuring inclusive, just growth.
- Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks aims to develop large-scale renewable energy parks across India.
- Perform, Achieve & Trade (PAT) scheme mandates energy-intensive industries thereby alleviating grid strain, promoting energy reduction targets and allowing energy-saving credit trading.
