Retail

Textiles could be our saviour amid the pandemic: Welspun’s Dipali Goenka


Home textiles major Welspun India saw an increasing thrust on antiviral and antimicrobial products when the Covid scare gripped the country. In a freewheeling chat with ET Digital, Dipali Goenka, CEO and joint Managing Director, Welspun India talks about how the pandemic ushered in significant changes for the textile industry and why antiviral is more than just a buzzword. Edited excerpts:

The Economic Times Digital (ET): How have the last seven months panned out for Welspun India?
Dipali Goenka (DG):
When the lockdown happened, our immediate problem and concern was that since our factories were shut, there was not a drop of revenue. What came to mind were our people, several of whom are directly or indirectly dependent on us. Around 20,000 people and hundred thousand people, directly or indirectly, depend on us.

However, we saw to it that communities interdependent on Welspun are flourishing and safe. We started manufacturing masks because we have a technical textile vertical and started distributing it in our communities. One month was completely a lockdown for us. But as we moved ahead, the markets opened up.

We took care of our people’s safety. We created protocols with safety, social distancing, and got our protocols audited by one of the big fours. And that’s the time our journey began and has been very interesting so far.

ET: You forayed into the health and hygiene segment in June to counter the pandemic threat. How has the run been for you as a textile major to enter a segment that hasn’t been a part of your core portfolio?
DG:
It wasn’t a part of our core portfolio, but we have a vertical – technical textiles – which came into complete forefront of what we were doing. So we gradually looked at the relevance of the mask coveralls, medical coveralls, disposable linen like towels and sheets, and that’s where we started.

And then we forayed into creating it as a vertical for health and hygiene. Our labs today are BI certified. We have a clean environment to make our health and hygiene goods. Even the vendors are quality checked for the kind of raw material used.

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We created antimicrobial towels, sheets and also carpets. When we talk about antimicrobials, we have this woven into our products. Like if you talk about charcoal, bamboo, zinc, copper, silver, they were woven into our textile products and we created antiviral home linen.

Apart from the antiviral products, masks and other goods from technical textile, we also looked at innovations related to sleep. Sleep is becoming a very important aspect.

ET: You have ventured into several antiviral technologies during this period, including antiviral fabrics and flooring. Do such changes mark the beginning of the next generation of textiles?
DG:
When we talk about the next generation of textiles, interestingly, health and wellness is going to be the prime. There will be a shift to value and extensions. So many people are going to find value in essential goods, whether it is the food, what they sleep in, and even the clothes they wear.

Apart from that, the health and care economy will become the key, whether it’s product, food, FMCG and the home space. 70% of the world population will not go back to work, even when the vaccine comes in.

Apart from health and hygiene, an interesting thing will be sustainability. One out of every six individuals globally is connected directly or indirectly to home textiles or apparel. And it is the second biggest polluter in the. Textile corporates have an enormous responsibility towards sustainability.

ET: Antiviral has become like a buzzword. But do such antiviral technologies, antiviral fabrics, and flooring actually work?
DG:
They definitely work in inhibiting the micro-organisms. And we took a little time to launch these things, because we wanted it to be tested. And they definitely are relevant. Also, importantly, I think it’s not just about these finishes, I think it also has to go inherently into the products. Whatever we have done – that has been tested and tried.

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ET: Are brands increasingly feeling the need to be antiviral in nature now-is safety suddenly the major selling point for a brand?
DG:
I would take safety as something which will become important for all of us. So when you talk about safety, it is directly related to health, hygiene and wellness.

Even sleep will become very important because we all know how much time one is online and it definitely plays with our mind. Looking at the schools working online, everyone working online, we need that kind of mental space now. So what is that all about? It is all about sleep. So textiles which are very comfortable and sleep conducive also become important.

ET: How significant a change has COVID-19 ushered in for the textile industry? How much of it do you feel is temporary and how much is permanent?
DG:
Very interesting question. Seven months back, when the factories were completely shut down, we were worried. Today, as the world opened up, the countries globally opened up, I think suddenly there is a surge for home textiles. Our factories are chugging along and working at full throttle. So we see that happening in terms of demand. The peak today could be a temporary blip, but the demand is here to stay because people will work from home. So needs for home will improve.

ET: Welspun has been trying to incorporate sustainability and circularity as part of its value ethos. Do you feel sustainability, innovation, and ‘vocal for local’ can be the answer for a stronger bounce back as far as textile firms are concerned?
DG:
As far as ‘vocal for local’ and the textile industry is concerned, we are dependent and interdependent on MSMEs because that forms the entire supply chain. MSMEs form the bedrock and definitely so for textiles.

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We have to look at them [MSMEs] growing because it is going to be the ecosystem that you create. So definitely this is one important part of what we see as textile manufacturers.

India is becoming a very important centre for manufacturing. And you will see in the next couple of years, 90 million non-farming jobs will be created and they need to be created for India to reach the $5 trillion economy status. Manufacturing is the biggest employer and textile, after agriculture, is the biggest employer. So creating that ecosystem and that entire system where India will become a very important strength to reckon with will be important.

Vocal for local will be important, not only for consumers and the population but also for the world. India is going to be that bright spot for the world to see.

ET: As you said, there are reusable masks, breathable coveralls, sleep friendly products, antiviral technologies. So, in all of this, and with the pandemic still out there-can textiles be our saviour?
DG:
I would say that textile will become a very important space for India as a whole, because I think we are talking about moving towards non-farming jobs. I think textiles will play a very important role because it’s the highest employer. And definitely the demand that we see coming in for the next two years and more, home will be an important place for a consumer. So, definitely, I think textiles will be the focus.

I think India is in the right space where, after China, the largest producer of cotton is India and we have vertical integrated facilities here. And we have the manpower, the knowledge, because textiles have been something which is inherent in our country. So, definitely, I think textiles could be a saviour.





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