From Price to Purpose: India’s textile leaders chart a sustainable future at CMAI’s Eco Stitch 2026
6 April 2026, Mumbai
The Indian textile industry is standing at a historic crossroads. For decades, the sector has been fueled by its reputation for price competitiveness, but as global markets shift their focus toward ethical consumption, India is rebranding itself as the world’s preferred sourcing destination through a new lens of growth-based sustainability. At the CMAI’s Eco Stitch Conference 2026, held during CMAI FAB show, a high-powered CEO panel titled "Leading the Shift: CEOs Building India's Most Trusted Supply Chains" brought together the industry’s most influential voices to discuss how sustainability is evolving from a boardroom buzzword into a foundational operating system.
The Strategic Shift: Beyond the price tag
The session, moderated by Rahul Mehta, Chief mentor, CMAI, opened with a provocative question: Can India succeed by replacing price competitiveness with sustainability? Vinit Gautam, Founder and CEO of 91 Brands, noted that while Gen Z consumers demand sustainable brands, they are often still hesitant to pay a premium, requiring leaders to find innovation and efficiency within the organization to build a price model that works. This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Naresh Tyagi, Chief Sustainability Officer at ABFRL, who pointed out that the hidden cost of traditional manufacturing, such as the 8,000 liters of water used for a single pair of jeans, makes sustainable practices more cost-effective in the long run when properly accounted for.
The Material Revolution: Circularity at scale
A core theme of the conference was the materials transition, moving away from virgin fibers toward recycled and regenerative alternatives. In the realm of chemical recycling, Manmohan Singh of Aquinda Cellulose highlighted that India is leading the world in utilizing alternate feedstock, such as denim and cotton waste, to regenerate fresh viscose that is indistinguishable from virgin fiber. Regarding zero-waste manufacturing, Dr. Tyagi shared a success story from Peter England, where "Chindi" or fabric waste is collected directly from garment factories and cycled back into fiber production to create a truly circular loop. Addressing denim’s history as a heavy polluter, Subir Mukherjee, CEO, Bhaskar Denim revealed that through "Indigo Room" technology and advanced sizing processes, his firm has slashed virgin fiber usage and moved toward 90% water recycling in the dyeing process.
Repositioning Heritage: The new age of Khadi
Perhaps the most symbolic shift discussed was the modernization of Khadi. Roop Rashi, CEO, Khadi Village Industries, argued that Khadi is the original sustainable technology because it is done by hand, making it inclusive, water-efficient, and resource-efficient by default. To make Khadi aspirational for the new generation, the organization is launching "Navyug Khadi," integrating modern design through collaborations with Lakmé Fashion Week and leading designers to move the fabric from a position of historical romance into the heart of modern high fashion.
Reclaiming the Throne: India’s 22% vision
The consensus among the CEOs was clear: India’s opportunity lies in its history. While India currently contributes 2.8% to global GDP, panellists reminded the audience that centuries ago, India held a 22% share of global trade through its textile prowess. By scaling technologies like chemical recycling and embracing the MSME ministry’s new support schemes, the leaders at Eco Stitch believe India can once again dominate the global stage, not because it is the cheapest, but because it is the most trusted and sustainable. As Dr. Naresh Tyagi summarized, sustainability is about ending the loss of environment, society, and business by cascading change through the entire value chain.
The Eco Stitch Roadmap: Strategies for change
The roadmap for the industry's transformation relies on several key pillars of action that move beyond theoretical discussion into practical application. A major focus is being placed on traceability, where the industry is implementing blockchain technology to provide consumers with transparent proof of origin and accurate carbon footprint data. Simultaneously, the industry is reimagining its social impact by transitioning "Kabaddiwalas" or waste collectors into a formalized and respected part of the industrial ecosystem rather than side-lining them. Environmental goals are also becoming more aggressive, with companies moving toward zero-carbon events and water-positive factory operations. Even the smallest details of the supply chain are being scrutinized; for instance, brands are drastically overhauling packaging strategies, reducing the number of components used for a single shirt from 22 separate items, including various clips and plastics, down to just 7 or 8 essential, recyclable elements to eliminate waste at the source.
Get in Touch! 
