India’s fibre usage will probably increase from approximately 15 million metric tonnes at present to 23 million metric tonnes by 2030, and an increase in environmentally friendly, plant-based fibres will convert the nation’s agricultural leftovers into greater rural income and export revenue.
Through several initiatives and other focused interventions, the government is backing a “New Age Fibre movement. ” New Age Fibres are sustainable, plant-based materials that combine ancient Indian knowledge with contemporary creativity.
The movement aims to reintroduce conventional fibers such as banana, bamboo, hemp, flax, ramie, sisal, milkweed, and kapok for premium items, biodegradable composites, textile uses, and defense equipment.
The analysis stated that India’s antique fiber expertise is its largest competitive advantage today, at the beginning of a worldwide sustainability revolution.
The rural economy of India has always been sustained by its 5,000-year history of civilization with fiber, which began with the mythical Mohenjo-daro muslins.
Now that the report has been released, there has been a rise in worldwide demand for India’s natural fibres, which are ethical, sustainable, and perform well.
For New Age Fibres, the government has set aside Rs 300 crore as part of the broader Rs 5,664 crore program for 2026–31, which is called the Mission for Cotton Productivity. Components to scale up production and brand development are included in the National Fibre Mission that was unveiled in the 2026–27 budget.
These components include: “KRISHI-SUTRA for raw material and cultivation development; INFINITY for research and innovation; GRAM-SETU for infrastructure and enterprise creation; and GMPS for branding and market development. ”
This policy framework’s strength is based on years of scientific investigation, according to the report.
It mentioned examples of milkweed being the subject of 18 years of study at the Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA) and ultimately chosen for military uses like sleeping bags for soldiers who are stationed at -20 degrees Celsius. The study pointed out that they are CLO/Cell certified, warmer than wool, and 10% lighter than polyester substitutes.
India excels in fiber blending, which involves combining several fibers, including cotton for softness, wool for warmth, bamboo for breathability, and milkweed for thermal lightness.