December, 2019
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Organizational Leadership
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, December 1, 2019)-People and leading them in an organization are vital for its growth and success.
Tapping best talents and more importantly enabling talents in people for their own and organizational benefits are the hallmarks of a good leader.
To know what is needed for the organization and its employees enables a visionary leader to be successful. This aspect is visible in the passionate and dedicated efforts of Mr. Veeravalli Raghunathan of Charlotte, NC. Raghunathan, who holds a graduate degree in mechanical engineering from the internationally acclaimed Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India having come to the United States in 1997 to grow his professional career, never lost focus on his passion—to create organization to promote culture and fine art of living.
While starting as one-man show, quickly tapped people who share similar interest and passion to found cultural organizations, which are six in number today. This is a good model for industrial leaders to pool people with matching talents and interests to deliver results.
“A leader has to be accommodative, not afraid of insults and failure,” stated Raghunathan. As is evident from his organizational skills, providing products for diverse pool of people to satisfy their needs is important. This is a valuable organizational strategy, so that industry can have broad-based market. In the case of Indian textile sector, broadening its product base, as is the case with the Chinese textile sector will help with its diversification and growth.
Raghunathan’s success in chasing his passion rested on organizing people, all the way motivating them towards the common goal. All modes of modern day communication have been effectively used that connected people spread across the goal such as India, United States and Middle East. Prompt and timely response sometimes tiring, helps—a good organizational skill.
“People are important,” stated Professor Siva Parameswaran, a colleague of mine at Texas Tech University, when I joined the University as a young professor many moons ago.
Never be afraid of admitting mistakes, but those should be quickly corrected towards growth and development, which leaders like Raghunathan practice. A sage personality and professional development mantra indeed!
Resource Outsourcing-A Vital Tool for Industrial Success
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, December 2, 2019)-Cost cutting pressures, competition from low cost countries and constantly emerging incremental technologies have become industrial norms these days.
How can industries such as textiles and manufacturing survive in these competitive climates? It is a luxury to utilize resources and talents belonging to others by creating win-win situations. This is “Resource Outsourcing,” which is turning out to be a boon for industries ranging from semiconductors to biomedicine to advanced textiles.
A enlightening over an hour tête-à-tête with Navaneeth Nandakumar, senior technical staff with San Jose-based Maxim Integrated, who has a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the research-intensive University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign exposed me to the advantages of resource outsourcing. Maxim Integrated, a leader in the manufacturing of mixed signal integrated chips is effectively utilizing the resource outsourcing concept to cut cost, innovate products and increase the bottom line, i.e., net profit margins. May be this manufacturing models enables some semiconductor industries to have next profit margins as high as 30-35 percent.
“Business starts with customer and ends with customer,” stated Navaneeth. Companies are constantly under pressure to deliver new products that meet end-user expectations.
Resource outsourcing helps to avoid extensive capital investment by a single entity and so frees-up resources to undertake multiple projects and hire new talents. It is important to establish trust worthy IP relationships with outsourcing partners. Citing an example in the semiconductor industry, instead of investing in a new photo-patterning machine, which will cost several millions, outsourcing shops in countries such as Taiwan can be effectively utilized. This manufacturing model helps to reduce labor costs in high wage countries. Several strategies can be established such that there are joint IP generation, process improvements, off shore manufacturing, to name a few.
The above concept, which the semiconductor industries in developed nations such as the United States have been following, can be borrowed by the textile industry. Textile sector in economically emerging nations such as India can work with advanced textiles industry in Europe, Japan, etc. and can serve as manufacturing and product development foundries, provided solid IP sharing and protection strategies are established.
“It is important that companies remain competitive and increase their net margin,” stated Navaneeth. Resource outsourcing helps by enhancing profit margins, which are important from investors’ point of view, added Navaneeth.
Next wave in manufacturing is “Resource Outsourcing,” which needs to be serious sought after.
Cotton Brainpower
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, December 05, 2019)-Collective brainpower in the United States’ cotton sector descended for two days in Lubbock, Texas.
Cotton producers, researchers and academics gathered for two days (December 4-5) to discuss cutting-edge applied and field research in Lubbock. Researchers who have been funded by the U. S. cotton growers through Cotton Incorporated interacted with cotton producers to advance the industry forward.
Research focusing on transgenics to finding new applications and markets were presented. It is important to state that how engaged the cotton farmers were with the researchers and showed interest to take applicable results to their field.
Fiber yield, quality and new applications were the major themes that came across in the meeting, which had about 70 people in attendance. “We would not be here today with such higher yields and quality without research,” stated Dale Swinburn of Tulia who has been farming for fifty years in the High Plains of Texas.
In discussion with this scribe, Barry Evans, who farms 4,000 acres in Swisher County in Texas, stated that research on drought resistance due to declining water levels and new applications for cotton are important.
Varieties, chemistries, farming methods and management have significantly improved over last four decades. Steve Verett, chief executive officer of Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. and a cotton producer from Crosby County, Texas highlighted the research benefits that have resulted in varieties and improved irrigation efficiency since his beginning to farm in 1977.
As over 80% of United States’ cotton crop is exported, Professor Eric Hequet of Texas Tech University emphasized on quality and preserving the quality through processing stages such as mechanical harvesting, ginning, etc.
“The industry has come a long way since my first farming days as a high school student in 1964, when herbicides were just beginning to appear,” stated Danny May who farms in the Calhoun County in South Texas.
It is important for the global cotton industry to work with all the stakeholders such as the farmers, researchers and end-users and advance the industry forward.
Takeaways from the Australian Cotton Sector
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, December 12, 2019)-Amidst drought for three years. Australian cotton crop is expected to be about one million bales.
An hour-long insightful discussion with Dr. Kater Hake, vice president for agricultural and environmental research at Cary-based Cotton Incorporated, revealed some of the successful management practices adopted by the Australian cotton sector. Hake has just returned from his trip to down under interacting with global cotton industry people and visiting farm country in Dalby region in Queensland, Australia.
Australian production this year for the season ending in March 2020 is estimated to range from 0.7 million to 1.3 million bales. While the quantity is significantly down, quality seems to fall within the expected range. As close to all cotton produced is exported predominantly to Asian countries, quality plays a significant role, with tight range in micronaire.
Discussions with Dr. Hake revealed four important takeaways: 1) technology adaptation, 2) value-addition to cotton byproducts, 3) water use efficiency and 4) resistance management of Bt traits.
With increasing labor costs, Australian cotton farmers are effectively utilizing robotics. Hake pointed out that he had seen herbicide sprayer robots that have weather signaling systems in them. The sprayer senses wind directions and temperature and switches on and off enabling good environmental stewardship. As the Australian crop is irrigated, due to government restrictions in water usage, planting is limited to water availability during the growing season.
Australia has no oil crusher for oil; hence, all cottonseed goes to feeding cattle. Interestingly, 25% of the cattle diet is cottonseed, which enriches the quality of meat, catering to high quality export. Resistance management of Bt traits has helped the industry to have control on bollworms. While the resistance issue is not a serious concern in West Texas, other parts of the United States face this situation. Some of the agricultural practices such as shallow tillage to disrupt the pupae is helping the Australian farmers, stated Hake.
As the amount of available land in Australia for cotton is limited, with more acreage for cotton here, United States is still the largest and reliable supplier of cotton in the export market. However, cotton growing is expanding to the north and south of traditional growing areas in New South Wales and Queensland, observed Hake.
In closing Hake stated, “the production systems between the United States and Australia are similar and the two countries can learn and help each other to move the industry forward.”
NASA Engineer Emphasizes Importance of Experience
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, December 18, 2019)-Little experiences in life add-up and cultivates leadership.
Speaking last Friday, December 13, 2019 at the Fall Commencement at Texas Tech University, Ms. Ginger Kerrick, Flight Integration Division Chief, NASA Johnson Space Center and a member of Board of Regents, Texas Tech University System (TTUS) highlighted the vital role experience plays in life and career. Leadership roles shape-up well based on experience and effective communication. Staying in touch with alma mater is important as it helps with career and life was the essence of short speech by Ms. Kerrick, who has the distinction of being NASA’s first Russian training integration instructor and provided support to the first crew to live onboard on the international space station.
On a personal note, it was such a relish to be part of the solemn and joyful event and witness my student Lihua Lou receiving Ph.D. for her work on functional nanofibers for human health enhancement and environmental protection.
Chris Snead, vice president of operations, TTU alumni association highlighted the usefulness of planning. “Be ready to change if best laid out plans don’t work,” advised Snead. Five valuable points highlighted by Snead will serve researchers, administrators and business leaders well: 1) Positive attitude, 2) Persistent effort, 3) Passion to succeed, 4) Preparation and 5) Meeting deadlines and punctuality. Walking through his days in college, Snead advised to keep reinventing as change happens all the time.
J. Michael Lewis, business leader and vice chair of Board of Regents of TTUS gave a sage advice to be a lifelong learner.
Experience, reinventing in times of need and lifelong learning are valuable tools for success in industry and life.
Year End Bird’s-eye View on Cotton
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, December 20, 2019)-Cotton is a natural material, which is pre-sold on comfort and faces competition from other fibers.
A year-end tête-à-tête with Professor Eric Hequet, an internationally renowned fiber quality expert at Lubbock-based Texas Tech University provided useful information that may benefit the global textile sector.
Focus on quality, providing maximum information on fiber quality and developing new products and markets are some aspects Hequet insisted that the industry should be concentrating.
“If the end-users such as spinners could know what they are buying in terms of cotton, it is a big plus,” stated Hequet. United States’ cotton industry has been a leader in providing maximum information on a bale of cotton. Other leading producers such as Brazil and India have started paying attention to providing information. As long as fiber quality evaluation is handled by reliable independent agency such as the United States’ Department of Agriculture classing offices, data’s credibility will be well accepted. Brands are demanding more source information to stay competitive and gain consumer acceptance and hence data dissemination is becoming vital.
Stakeholders’ contribution to the growth of the industry is vital for not only the cotton sector but also holds good for all sectors. Stakeholders need to support “mission-linked,” research for enhancing market share and use-value.
To a question from this scribe on what is next for the industry, Hequet stated improving fiber length uniformity, strength and finding new applications should be the task. He highlighted the growing interest in vortex spinning, which necessitates the need for length and strength improvement. The surface structure of these yarns are on par with ring spun yarns, but the internal structure is week. Therefore, fiber strength improvement to 40-42 grams/tex will help. Labor cost is rising even in some eastern countries, which makes ring spinning expensive. Cotton sector can help by breeding fibers that will suit newer spinning technologies.
Hequet’s view on what should be the goal for the industry in the next five years included focusing on drought resistance and water efficiency without sacrificing fiber quality. As the global population is on the rise, maintaining cotton’s market share at 30% will enable more use of cotton based on consumption.
The biodegradability aspect has to be effectively handled by the industry both for developing new biomaterials and for marketing. For past few years, I have been advocating focusing our attention beyond, yield and quality such as creating new value-added products--this aspect came out clear in the discussion with Professor Hequet. With 38-years of experience in the cotton sector starting as a breeder in Chad, Hequet ended with a positive note that cotton is here to stay.
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Cotton Wipe Remedies Oil Spill Situation
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 04, 2019)-Cotton-based oil absorbent wipe proves its oil absorption capability in a thermal energy plant.
On November 2nd, as a response to a minor oil spill incident in a National Thermal Energy Corporation (NTEC) plant, a public sector undertaking in Vallur, 20 Kms. away from Chennai city in Tamilnadu, India, Nambi Srinivasan, vice president for marketing for the Chennai-based WellGro United proved the effectiveness of TowelieTM wipe.
“TowelieTM wipe instantaneously absorbed heavy furnace oil and light crude oil and we immediately responded to the call to do a demo on Saturday,” stated Nambi Srinivasan.
TowelieTM evolved out an idea by this scribe and the commercial product was developed out of INDO-United States’ collaboration. Lubbock-based E Innovate, LLC markets it globally for oil spill remediation in oil, natural gas, automobile and manufacturing sectors.
The recent successful field trial at the thermal energy plant in India has proven that the cotton-based wipe is penetrating into multiple sectors such as energy, manufacturing, etc.
Irwindale, California-based Davis Wire, LLC is using TowelieTM in their manufacturing operation to clean-up oil spills during manufacturing of products like metal fences, which has enhanced its production efficiency at the same time reducing plastic wastes. “TowelieTM has been widely accepted by companies in the oil & gas, auto mechanic, manufacturing and marine industries who care about reducing their impact on the environment,” stated Ronald Kendall, Jr., president of E Innovate, LLC.
TowelieTM is a good example of translation of a laboratory idea into market place, which involved inputs from manufacturing and marketing entities like WellGro United and E Innovate, LLC.
INDO-United States’ partnership has clearly paved the way for a sustainable product to protect environment, enhance manufacturing and save human lives. “There is an unparalleled ease to INDO-USA collaboration when it comes to bringing affordable and innovative textile products to market,” added Kendall, Jr.
Nambi Srinivasan with Towelie Wipe
Cotton Harvest and Lower Yields
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 15, 2019)- Yields in the High Plains of Texas are expected to be below what was expected.
“Yields are 25-30% off the normal,” stated Mark Brown, director of field services for Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers (PCG), Inc. In today’s early morning meeting of all the stakeholders from the cotton sector, discussion centered on this year’s cotton harvest in High Plains, the largest cotton growing region in the United States of America. The meeting also had an international visitor from the prestigious CSIRO research agency, Australia.
Harvest is estimated about 50-60% complete in High Plains and is resuming after rains last week in some areas of High Plains such as Gaines County. “Harvest is picking-up,” stated Steve Verett, chief executive officer of PCG. The hot summer has seriously affected this year’s crop.
Rain in August is crucial for the yield and quality of cotton. “Each additional inch of rain in August may help with as much as an additional 100 lbs. of cotton,” stated Glen Ritchie, chair of Plant and Soil Science department at Texas Tech University. The problem has been hot temperature and no rain in late summer, added Ritchie. Recently, the dramatic adjustment of yield by the United States’ Agriculture Department from its earlier estimates clearly attest to the expected lower yield. Hot weather will also affect the irrigated cotton, which will result in their yields off from the normal level.
With regard to plastic contamination, crop classed in the Lubbock classic office show that the industry has really handled the issue well, which is a positive aspect for the importing countries.
The latest estimate is that the High Plains of Texas is expected to produce 3.78 million bales (480 lbs. each).
Innovation Out Of Obstacles
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 20, 2019)-Barriers, pinch points may open doors for innovation.
To an audience of about 225 people, in Lubbock, yesterday, Robert Kaplowitz, music and sound designer highlighted, based on his 25-year career experience, how obstacles can be turned around to innovate and create new businesses.
These days, research and development has become interdisciplinary and focus on problems affecting societies. Innovation has to engage the community and solve bigger problems, stated Kimberly Gramm, associate vice president of innovation and entrepreneurship at Texas Tech University.
“Innovation is scary sometimes as it means change,” stated Gramm.
Scientists can no longer remain in silos and they have to interact with marketing specialists, business experts and designers. This is particularly a necessity to transform an idea from laboratory to market space. This scribe can attest to this need, as an international collaborative effort was needed to enable the cotton-based oil absorbent TowelieTM to reach end-users.
Kaplowtiz highlighted how a team of collaborators improved the attendance to the famous Lapidarium stone sculpture museum in Prague by using Disney World practices---making the experience interactive with good sound and light ambience.
Technology can be great, but it needs good consumer base. This emphasizes the importance of constant improvements to products and processes to enlarge the consumer base. This aspect was clear in Kaplowitz’s talk, as was the case with his “Stage Collar,” sound App, which hit a saturation with the number of theaters that can the technology.
Improving the product to appeal to wider markets is an important mantra. In the case of TowelieTM, while the technology was originally invented for the oil and gas sector, making the product appealing and cost effective is finding applications in metal manufacturing, automotive and household cleaning sectors.
Innovation appears at pinch points, according to Gramm and those points have to be keenly observed and seized. A good initiative, which is gaining momentum, is “Arts in Medicine.”
100 Years of Experience and Ginning TipsBy: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 22, 2019)-Technology utilizing and enhancement of productivity have supported the growth of the cotton ginning industry.
Ginning contributes to the cotton sector by cleaning, drying and maintaining/enhancing the quality of the fiber.
100-years of collective experience in the ginning and the cotton sector was evident yesterday night at a dinner table in Lubbock, Texas. Executives of the ginning sector and this scribe met to discuss the growth of the ginning industry over past 30-years.
“Ginning machinery has not seen a whole lot of changes with regard to its functionality,” said Ray Moore, a 31-year veteran with the industry. Certainly, productivity has increased from 25 bales per hour to 100 bales per hour added Moore of Bajaj ConEagle, LLC.
This year’s lower cotton yield in the High Plains of Texas and its impact on the ginning sector became an important topic of discussion. “Yield is about 30% lower than what was expected earlier,” stated, 46-year veteran in the sector Steve Moffett, general manager of Lubbock-based Lubbock Electric Company. Another aspect of discussion was how the seed turn out and weight have reduced over the years. This has helped with the productivity, stated Shankar Venkatachalam, president of Bajaj ConEagle, LLC, ginning machinery manufacturer.
Ginning plays an important role in enhancing the quality of the fiber. Ginning industry should effectively utilize technologies such as image processing to control trash, contamination, etc.
Naturally, as Bajaj ConEagle is a subsidiary of India-based Bajaj Steel Industry, Ltd., interesting discussion focused on the Indian ginning sector, which is roller gin based. India should soon invest in saw gins to reduce trash content, stated Shankar.
It clear that the global ginning industry is focusing its efforts to reduce plastic contamination.
Thanksgiving and Tips for Successful Project Execution
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 27, 2019)-Thanksgiving symbolizes acknowledging people for support, kindness and leadership.
On the eve of Thanksgiving celebration, unique and a major festivity in the United States of America, a tête-à-tête with a successful project management expert highlighted the importance of acknowledging people and team effort towards successful project implementation.
TowelieTM cotton wipe project is a good example of successful team building, acknowledging expertise and efforts of each team member, say the innovator, the manufacturer and the marketing team.
As a way of expressing Thanksgiving, to my many collaborators in the textile industry, academia and other cultural and social organizations, I have been involved; it is such a relish to talk with Lakshmikumar Narayanan of McLean-based Acumen Solutions, Inc.
A project involves three pillars: 1) People, 2) Process and 3) Technology/tools. Team is the lifeline of any project stated Lakshmikumar Narayanan. He emphasized the need to motivate the group members of the team and bring them along. It is leader vis-à-vis manager, stated Narayanan.
It was clear in the discussion that Narayanan is thankful to many for the opportunities provided to him, who migrated to the United States from India in 2003.
In his 21-years as a project leader, his efforts in acknowledging his team members have given rich rewards, professionally and personally, admitted Narayanan. In managing a US$18 million per year project for an insurance company, he practiced several team-building tricks and has always shown appreciation to his members. He said, “gamification,” helps, a term that is getting popular in IT and service sectors. Encouraging people to get quality output is the mantra.
In response to this scribe on how to maximize team’s deliverables, Narayanan stated, “appreciate people.” Having monthly talent recognition programs, providing platforms to enhance talents and more importantly reassuring the existence of shielded and safe environment are some tips, which should work. A leader should be upfront in resolving conflicts among team members, emphasized Narayanan.
Heartfelt thanks to all those who have helped me in my journey so far. Happy holidays!
Managing Innovations
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 29, 2019)-Invention with commercial value is innovation.
A discussion on the Thanksgiving day with Nikesh Anand Rajagopalan, director of solutions at Sunnyvale, California-based HCL America provided a clear understanding about innovation. Innovation is a required corporate strategy these days. Nikesh Rajagopalan who has a graduate management degree from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru, India, has been managing innovations for multinationals in the printing device sector to medical field.
“Ideas alone are not innovation,” stated Rajagopalan. Inventions should find applications, be useful to the society and should make economic sense, added Rajagopalan---a sage advice indeed.
To a valid question from this scribe on how to innovate, Rajagopalan gave a textbook reply. This can be handled in two ways: 1) Provide a cost-effective solution for an existing gap and 2) Access an non-obvious gap and provide valid panacea. Citing the strategy of IBM to go and look for a need, that made personal computers a reality, he stated that this is a push strategy, which worked as the functionality and price point worked out. He cautioned that the push strategy may be risky but when a much needed solution could be provided, market will be strong.
How can we innovate? Innovation should be part of vision, but it should be practiced. It is helpful to follow certain methodologies. Reverse technology is a useful, citing the example of home delivery concept that is becoming a successful alternative to physical shopping. He practices what he preaches and has installed shower at his residence instead of sprinklers to water plants to have an efficient water system, which is cost effective.
Innovation can be achieved by utilizing resources to the maximum extent possible, which is known as “Segmentation.”
Creating an innovation culture in corporates is important. People need to feel they are innovators, stated Rajagopalan. He and his team have developed a concept called “Invention Disclosure a Day.” Along with innovation, branding is needed to make the innovation successful.
Agreeing people are important, corporate culture should motivate them and innovation has to be a work in progress and practiced, summed up Nikesh Rajagopalan.
Invention that creates value is innovation.
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New Antimicrobial for Textiles
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, October 1, 2019)-A new antimicrobial finishing treatment can kill biofilm-forming bacteria.
Madison, Wisconsin-based Imbed Biosciences have come-up with an efficient antibacterial finishing technology that can enable wound dressing and textiles to have enhanced antibacterial efficacy.
Following its successful MicroLyte® technology, which is a bio-resorbable wound dressing, Imbed Biosciences has come-up with MicroLyte® Plus, which is shown to be effective against the tough bacteria, which has formed colonies living in the extra cellular matrix. These bacteria become dormant and so commonly available antibacterial technologies are not effective.
Imbed Biosciences’ Silver and Gallium combo will provide necessary ammunition to attack the complex biofilm bacteria.
In speaking with this scribe yesterday, Gaurav Pranami, vice president for research and development at Imbed Biosciences stated that the new technology could be used to functionalize fibers enabling a new generation of antibacterial textiles. “We have carried out fundamental science that uncovered the design principles for pairing silver ions with gallium,” stated Pranami. Further efforts will focus on preclinical biocompatibility testing of silver and gallium prototypes, added Pranami.
In explaining the principle behind the addition of gallium to silver, Pranami explained that bacteria need iron for their metabolic activities. Since gallium and iron are similar in ionic radii and charge, bacteria uptake gallium. However, gallium is not reduced like iron so the bacteria is starved and sensitized to silver. This makes the silver in the combo to be effective, which is not possible by silver-only antimicrobials.
Hospital acquired infections, chronic wounds are major health issues, and the ionic silver and gallium functional chemistry may be a panacea. With regard to its applications in textiles, durability and cost have to be examined.
Nobel Clue for the Textile and Materials IndustryBy: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA (Lubbock, USA, October 9, 2019)-Sustainable technology shines in the Nobel Prize recognition. Renewable and energy efficient technologies, which are important contributors to the sustainability paradigm, have been duly recognized in today’s recognition of Chemistry Nobel Prize. The efforts towards developing highly efficient lithium-ion batteries by three scientists, John B. Goodenough and M. Stanley Whittingham, both from the United States and Akira Yoshino, from Japan led to the prize. Research undertaken by these scientists, a few decades ago has resulted in rechargeable, high potential batteries, which power many gadgets in our day-to-day lives. This year’s prize provides a lot of inspiration and thoughts for the fiber to fashion supply chain and the materials sector. Focusing on sustainable efforts right from growing fibers to using efficient processing technologies is the way forward for the industry. The Nobel winning work made the batteries efficient, logistically convenient and importantly at a cost-effective price. Translating research from laboratory to reality, which can improve lives, is needed to grow the economy. In announcing the importance of the prize, Professor Sara Snogerup Linse of the Nobel committee for chemistry stated, “We have gained access to a technical revolution,” because of the Nobel winning research. Textiles and materials sector can gain a lot from understanding the research towards this Nobel Prize. Economics, performance efficiency, logistics such as lightweight as in the case of Li-ion batteries all play important part in transforming research to a product in the textiles sector. Constant development work towards product improvement is the key to consumer acceptance. It is pleasing to report that the above principles have become standard these days for any consumer products like textiles. This model worked well for the development of sustainable oil absorbent product TowelieTM (www.towelieglobal.com). The idea for TowelieTM sparked in this scribe’s laboratory due to an actual situation, BP oil spill in 2010. Collaboration with multiple partners such as manufacturing and marketing enabled a sustainable textile product, within a decade from conception to commercialization.
China and Demand in the Cotton EquationBy: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, October 18, 2019)-Finding new markets and applications is vital for the global cotton sector.
With the commencement of harvest in the High Plains of Texas, stakeholders of this important sector gathered today at Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. (PCG).
The yield may not be a bumper as expected due to the hot July and August months in the High Plains of Texas. Hot summer days is affecting the yield particular in the dryland, where half a bale per acre seems to be the average yield. Weather pattern this summer showed that there were 43 days above 95 degrees F, which influenced the blooming, according to discussions among cotton producers.
Cotton supply is above the demand, which emphasizes the need to create new opportunities. “It’s demand that matters. We are not seeing demand increase worldwide,” stated Steve Verett, chief executive officer of PCG. Mr. Suresh Kotak, cotton industry leader from Mumbai, India shared the same viewpoint a few years back with this scribe, which highlights the pressure on this sector for value-addition. Although, the ongoing trade war between the United States and China has certainly put a dent in the market, China may not alone provide some respite, given the supply situation. Price of beans need to be watched, according to Darren Hudson, professor of agricultural economics at Texas Tech University. As price of beans increases, shift to beans will vacate some acres from cotton, which could bring the supply down—this again depends on a resolution to the ongoing trade situation with China, a major importer of soybeans.
The need to develop new cotton products is felt by spinners as well. Particularly, in India, there is excess spinning capacity, that happened in the recent years. Increasing quality and productivity without increasing spindles should offer some quick solution according to Shanmugam Velmurugan, general manager of Jayalakshmi Textiles, a 70,000-ring spindle spinning mill in Aruppukkottai, India. Quality of cotton will be a key contributor towards high quality yarns with less contamination. Exporting countries like the United States are paying much attention towards plastic contamination, a worthy effort that is being well received by importers.
With about 24,000 bales (480 lbs. each) classed so far in the Lubbock classing office, quality seems to be good such as micronaire. Interesting to watch as how the staple grades will evolve, again due to very hot summer days.
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Effective Communication is a Critical Industrial NeedBy: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA (Lubbock, USA, September 05, 2019)-Timely and effective communication is vital for the industry. As the global cotton sector is under tremendous pressure in terms of demand and price levels, two factors can be helpful: 1) Mission-linked research and 2) Effective and timely communication. In the textile industry, where established giants such as China and India are struggling, research that can lead to cost-effective products via diversification is a critical need. Research that can lead to products to improve life, meet societal requirements and protect the environment will help the industry. The model developed by the agriculture sector, i.e., mission-linked research approach can be followed by the textile sector. This approach emphasizes the importance of stakeholders’ views in planning, executing and supporting research programs. United States’ cotton growers are a good example in supporting and carrying out research that will benefit their cause such as reducing insect pressure, yield improvements amidst environmental stress, contamination control, etc. Although, there is no simple or straight forward strategy to conduct research, sage advice given to me 25-years ago by Dr. Manickvasagam Sundaram, currently a senior physician in the Department of Medicine at Lakeridge Health, Oshawa, Canada, while I was a doctoral student at Leeds University, U.K., is worth noting. Working on parallel projects, although tough will help to reduce risk, was a valuable guidance given to me by Dr. Sundaram, which helps me even to this day. I have used this approach in my twenty years at Texas Tech University that has resulted in products such as toxic chemical decontamination wipe, “FiberTect,” and environmentally friendly oil absorbing mat, “Towelie.” Dr. Sundaram is currently visiting our laboratory in Lubbock and reiterated the importance of research and effective communication, which are important for practicing physicians, academicians, industrialists and even policy makers. More often research yields results, which are not expected, but they help with improving and will lead to successful outcomes. In such situations, transparent and clear communication clearly help. The need for timely and good communication across the industry was emphasized today in Lubbock in a gathering of about 250 people at the Texas Cotton Association’s Cotton Flow meeting. Proper planning, skillful execution and effective communication are needed for the industry, and in fact any project to succeed. (Publisher’s Note: As India celebrates Teachers Day today, the article is a tribute to my mentors in India, U.K and the United States, who have helped with my research and communication skills.)
A Cotton Textiles Success Story
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, September 07, 2019)- A US$ 500 million business highlights the opportunities for cotton.
Today, a breakfast discussion with Mr. Arun Agarwal, chief executive officer of Dallas-based Nextt lead me to believe that cotton can provide enormous new opportunities. Arun is visiting Lubbock this week with a mission to brand and promote Texas and United States’ cotton and interact with cotton researchers at Texas Tech University.
“West Texas cotton can surely compete with Egyptian cotton and branding efforts are needed,” stated Mr. Agarwal. He is already promoting Texas cotton as “Lone Star Cotton,” and his recent visit to Lubbock is part of the effort to promote and enhance the market opportunities for High Plains cotton.
Agarwal was impressed with the oil absorbency performance of the cotton based Towelie™ oil absorbent product, which he got introduced to, a few months back. Products like Towelie™ clearly promote the sustainable industrial applications of cotton, added Agarwal.
Agarwal’s Nextt, which is a US$ 500 million company supplies cotton home textiles to giants like Wal-Mart, Costco, Kohl’s, to name a few. In revealing the secret to his success, Arun stated, “providing cost effective solutions to customers’ requirements, greatly helps.”
Utilizing unique attributes of a material, say for example the sustainable attribute of cotton will enable new opportunities. “Human connection is important, no matter what we do,” advised Agarwal.
Agarwal’s supplier, who manufactures 600,000 square meters of fabric per day is hoped to consume about 500,000 bales of United States’ cotton this year, which can come from the High Plains region.
United States-China Trade War to Linger On
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Dornbirn, Austria, September 11, 2019, 11.50 PM)-Trade war that has been lingering on for over a year is expected to go on.
The trade dispute that began in March 2018 has no end in sight and would go on stated, Mr. Bai Xueyin, deputy general manager of the state-owned Beijing-based Hantrong Investment Co. Ltd.
A 30-minute discussion with a group of four Chinese traders was quite educational and enlightened me about China. I decided to return to my hotel by walking with the Chinese visitors after attending Lenzing sponsored dinner hosted by the Mayor of the City of Dornbirn, Austria as part of the 58th Global Fiber Congress. Discussions during the walk in the middle of the night in a mild chilly weather (16 deg C) in the mountain town of Dornbirn was quite revealing and provided firsthand information on what is going on in China in the fiber sector.
At macro level, the trade war is all about geopolitical power, with United States being the number one economic super power and China in the second position. Even if the current United administration changes after the next election, trade situation may remain the same expressed the Chinese visitors, who represent trading agencies.
China has come to adjust itself to the trade situation as the dispute has been lingering for a long time. Chinese industry is realigning itself to accommodate the losses in trade with the United States. Chinese textile industry is shifting to Vietnam and Indonesia, stated Mr. Xueyin. In the short term, the loss of trade has affected China as employment of people is involved, but in the long run, China will adapt stated Xueyin.
Bai Xueyin has a specialized degree in industrial trading and has been with Hantrong Investment Co. Ltd for 10-years, which trades in agriculture, textile materials and chemical products. Due to overall global economic situation, people are not spending much on clothing, which has created a stagnation in the global textile sector. Textile giants like China and India have been affected and aggressive fiber buying is not happening. Commenting on the Chinese economy, the growth of 6.5% is decent, which is higher than developed economies, stated Xueyin. Our economy is big and this growth number is good, added Xueyin.
Chinese mills are focusing on Brazil, Australia, Middle Asia and even India to procure cotton. China is still a dominant player in manufacturing and textile sectors. China consumes about 800,000 metric tons of acrylic, which indicates its consumer power stated Ms. Rachel Chen of Shanghai-based Bright Field Trading Co. Ltd, which trades in acrylic fiber.
China needs to import about 3-4 million metric tons of cotton as the total consumption lingers around 8 million tons. In commenting about the existing government owned cotton stocks, it should be about one million tons stated Mr. Xueyin.
“May be we are not having clear dialogue with the United States,” stated Bai Xueyin. It is good to communicate so that the other party will know what we are thinking viewed Xueyin.
It was Xueyin who navigated our group safely to hotel Krone. He quipped, “you know, I am a good driver so I can find directions fairly correctly.” Xueyin as part of his trading activity has traveled to India, several Asian countries and Europe. He is yet to visit the United States.
Fiber Demand in the Textile IndustryBy: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, September 17, 2019)-Growth in fiber consumption would average annually around 3 to 4 percent.
Cotton is a valuable fiber in the mix for the textile sector. According to inputs from global brands, the industry can consume up to 31 million metric tons of cotton, said Robert van de Kerkhof, Chief Commercial Officer of Lenzing AG, Austria.
Who’s who in the textile fiber world gathered last week in the picturesque town of Dornbirn on the foot hills of Karren mountain range in Austria. About 700 delegates from over 30 countries discussed the state of the fiber industry with regard to its sustainability initiatives.
While the global consumption of cotton has remained flat at 28 million metric tons, there is potential for additional demand of 3 million metric tons. To a question from this scribe on the competition between regenerated fibers and cotton, van de Kerkhof emphasized the need for all sorts of fibers. There is no competition between Lyocell and cotton stressed van de Kerkhof. With an annual production capacity of 300,000 metric tons, Lyocell needs friendly partnership with sustainable fibers. Lenzing will have additional 100,000 metric tons of Lyocell for the textile industry, as it will have a new manufacturing plant in Thailand and will be online by the end of 2020. He appreciated the sustainability efforts undertaken by the global cotton industry, but there is more work to do, added van de Kerkhof. He highlighted few initiatives such as those by the Brazilian cotton sector, which is making planned efforts to develop in regions where there is good rainfall.
According to van de Kerkhof, new products can have blends of cotton with Lyocell to enhance attributes like strength. United States-based Cotton Incorporated is also promoting the concept of developing cotton rich blends to exploit the benefits of different fiber blends. New opportunities are emerging for cotton such as Lenzing’s cotton-based Lyocell fibers, “REFIBRA™.” Cotton for use in technical textiles in both virgin and processed forms are being exploited by many industries these days. Chennai, India-based WellGro United has partnered with a textile manufacturer in South India to deliver cotton for technical textiles.
The 58th annual Dornbirn Fiber Congress highlighted the need for innovation and networking for sustainable growth. And, more importantly, the immediate need for circular economy in the sector.
Photo Caption: Seshadri Ramkumar (Center) with Friedrich Weninger (Left), Managing Director, Austrian Fibers Institute and Robert van de Kerkhof (Right), Chief Commercial Officer, Lenzing AG
All-Cotton Toxic Oil AbsorbentBy: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, September 19, 2019)- Sustainable and cost effective all-cotton oil absorbent developed.
Recent drone attacks on the world’s largest oil processing facility and an oil field in Saudi Arabia emphasizes the important need for safety requirements in the oil and gas sector. Additionally, in the case of oil absorbents, with plastic contamination in both earth and marine environments, there is a heightened need for non-plastic products that are biodegradable.
Today, a company in the High Plains of Texas has come out with a timely and sustainable solution, TowelieTM. Lubbock, Texas-based E Innovate, LLC has collaborated with a company from Chennai, India to release a biodegradable all-cotton product to the global oil and natural gas industry. Ronald Kendall, Jr., president of E Innovate, LLC today spoke with this scribe about the positive attributes of the product. Already the product is used by the oil and gas sector in the Permian Basin in Texas. “We want to expand our product offerings to solve oil spill issues from garages to offshore facilities,” stated Ronald Kendall, Jr.
Ronald Kendall, Jr. undertook research under this scribe’s supervision in the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory as an undergraduate at Texas Tech University, which has led to the commercialization of TowelieTM wipe. Ideation and collaboration are important to take a product to market space. In speaking about the collaboration with the Indian company, Kendall, Jr., stated, ”it helps to capture the strengths of United States and Indian companies to offer cost effective solution.”
How important are these industrial products for the cotton sector? Jeffrey Kitten, a partner in Slaton-based Kitten Land Company that farms about 11,000 acres of cotton in the High Plains of Texas lauded the release of cotton industrial product. Jeffrey Kitten, a fourth generation cotton farmer stated, “To continue to grow cotton in the highly competitive environment, we need to find all new and value-added applications for cotton.” “Thinking beyond conventional products such as towels and blankets is needed,” added Kitten.
Currently, majority of oil absorbents in the market are synthetic based and can lead to micro plastic problem. “Our all-cotton absorbent tackles that problem and will be a viable solution for toxic oil spill contamination in an environmentally friendly way,” stated, Ronald Kendall, Jr.
The all-cotton oil absorbent will be sustainable, cost effective and will not lead to micro plastic issue. Plastic contamination is a genuine environmental issue that needs serious attention and more importantly, a timely solution.
TowelieTM absorbent will provide a solution to an important environmental problem without leading to secondary contamination like micro plastics in the environment.
Photo Caption: Seshadri Ramkumar (Left) and Ronald Kendall, Jr. (Right), president E Innovate, LLC., with all-cotton TowelieTM
What is Going On in the Cotton Market?By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, September 20, 2019)-Demand, trade war and global economic scenario are all playing its part in the weak cotton market.
Today, about 80 people involved in different aspects of the cotton sector gathered in the new building of Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. (PCG) and discussed the current cotton scenario.
Cotton demand is weak, stated Darren Hudson, professor of agricultural economics at Texas Tech University. This sentiment was echoed by a merchant, who stated, “There are no commitments from the buyers.” With over 4 million bales (480 lbs. each) expected this season from the High Plains of Texas, slow flow of cotton would be an issue for the cotton industry.
Obviously, the ongoing trade war with China has its own influence; it may not be the only reason for the weak demand. Spinning mills have excess yarn in their possession particularly in China and India, which will play an important role in the cotton demand. Global economic picture is not that bright and the Chinese economy has slowed a considerable bit. “Global economy is plodding on but not witnessing tremendous growth,” stated Hudson.
With regard to trade deals, which the United States is expected to make with other countries, there was a sense of optimism. “I am optimistic about the United States-Mexico trade deal by the end of this year,” stated Kody Bessent, vice president of operations and legislative affairs at Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. The expected bilateral deal with Japan is viewed favorably by the United States’ agriculture sector. “The industry is hopeful that there will be a meeting between the United States and China, this October,” stated Bessent.
While there is a need to resolve the trade dispute with China soon, the effect will not be felt immediately, as the demand needs to pick up. The deal between China and the United States will influence the decision to plant other crops such as soybean, which may take some acres away from cotton. This adjustment can bring some correction to the cotton supply and demand.
Additionally, the excess capacity of polyester in China has to be factored into the cotton demand scenario.
It is important that the global cotton sector focus on creating more demand by thinking beyond the conventional fiber to fashion chain.
Value-addition to cotton products and demand creation are needed.
Photo Caption: Cotton industry people meeting today in the new office of Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers, Inc.
Crisis in the Indian Textile Sector?
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, September 24, 2019)-Declining yarn exports has put the Indian textile industry in a crisis mode.
Is this crisis a short or long term? A telephone conversation with two Indian textile industry professionals painted a clear picture.
Indian textile industry is strong in the spinning sector, which has been heavily dependent on exports. “Yarn market is dull,” stated Mr. Subbiah Krishnamoorthy, general manager of Vaibhav Ginning and Spinning Mills, Pvt. Ltd., a spinning mill with 26,000 spindles located in a cotton growing area in Gujarat, India. China and Bangladesh are not buying yarns and the prices are low, added Krishnamoorthy.
“China is the major market for Indian yarns and the trade war between the United States and China has affected the Chinese textile sector,” stated Mr. Krishnasamy Gandhiraj, general manager with Lakshmi Card Clothing Company, who has been in the textile industry for over four decades. Indian textile sector has been heavily spinning based and this is the problem added Gandhiraj.
While touring the cotton producing regions in Gujarat state, which is the number one cotton producing state in India, Gandhiraj stated, “This year’s crop will be of good quality due to rains. Yield will be high and due to good quality, yarn realization will also be high.” “Ginning will begin soon after Diwali, the prominent festival in India and harvest in some areas in Gujarat will be in 20-25 days,” stated Krishnamoorthy. His mill normally supplies to export (50%) and domestic (50%) markets, and is feeling the pinch in export shipments. The state of Gujarat has ramped up its spinning capacity since 2012, due to the state’s supportive schemes such as power and interest subsidies. Currently, the state has about 3.5 million ring spindles and has proximity to cotton—a positive aspect.
The upstream sector such as garmenting and finishing do not have the necessary capacity to cater to big markets. There is still demand for value-added products to markets like the United States, which cannot be currently handled by the Indian textile sector—Gandhiraj opined. Structural shift is needed to focus on building value-added sectors such as garments and technical textiles.
Given the slump in the textile sector, will there be confidence in building other sectors in the textile industry? For long-term viability, the goal should be to diversify and build the upstream sectors. Here again, Indian industry should enhance its product offerings. Recently, Aruppukottai-based textile industry has worked with this scribe and Chennai-based WellGro United, and has developed a value-added product, “Towelie TM,” which has attracted export markets catering to oil and gas sectors.
Diversification, working with marketing channels and looking for opportunities beyond traditional markets are needed. Probably, it is time to start planning towards attaining these goals. This should be the strategy moving forward!
China is Cotton Deficit
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, September 25, 2019)-China needs to triple its cotton imports.
With government stocks depleting, China needs to import more to sustain its mills’ consumption. Where would all that cotton come from? Recently, Jon Devine, senior economist and a 10-year veteran with Cary-based Cotton Incorporated presented a nice picture of the global cotton scenario.
The current government stock in China has fallen considerably from 2013/14 and is about 9 million bales (480 lbs. each bale) at the end of 2018/19. This puts the deficit in China to be at 15 million bales—necessitating more imports. The lingering trade war between China and the United States that has lasted for over a year now is affecting the supply chain and more importantly, creating uncertainty in the global economy. Chinese cotton production gap is one-third of its mill use, stated Devine.
As we approach the harvest season in the United States, higher production is expected due to favorable weather in the High Plains of Texas, with less drought compared to last year during the growing season. Upland cotton production, in the largest contiguous cotton producing region-High Plains of Texas is projected to be above 4.5 million bales (480 lbs. each). USDA estimates that the total cotton production in the U.S. will be 22 million bales with only 3 million bales consumption.
Last year, while China has increased its import, the share of United States’ export has dropped. On a year-on-year basis, other countries like Brazil, Australia and India have fared well with regard to exporting to China. These scenarios, dictate the need for a speedy resolution to the ongoing trade war.
To this scribe’s question on the takeover of the Chinese market by other exporting nations in the absence of a trade deal soon, Devine opined, “This is a central unknown, because we do not know where the details will end up. A resolution, if reached, should support US exports. If a resolution is not reached, demand for non-US cotton will be supported.”
For the marketing year that ended in July, Devine added, “Even with the tariffs, the U.S. was still the third-largest source of cotton for China. China was the second-largest destination for U.S. exports (only behind Vietnam).”
While China is a key player, the textile industry is slowly moving away from China as Vietnam and Bangladesh are capturing the export market.
The trade war if prolonged may bring about a shift in the cotton market. United States need to look for markets such as Indonesia, Pakistan and India. Will India be a decent market for the United States’ cotton? The current Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton in India is putting stress on the textile mills that should create market for quality cotton from the United States. “The MSP for the Indian cotton is much higher than the global cotton prices, making the input cost higher for the spinners who are in the export market,” stated Gurudas Aras, director, Textile Engineering Group of Mumbai-based A. T. E. Enterprises Pvt. Ltd in an e-mail communication.
Looking ahead, trade war situation and the overall global economy will be the determining factors for cotton trade, which Devine agreed. Will there be more cotton acreage in 2020? Hard to tell with cotton prices being low, at this point of time.
Interesting aspect to watch is the growth of textile manufacturing in Ethiopia—a market to observe keenly.
August, 2019
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Indian Textile Industry Needs Value-AdditionBy: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA (Bengaluru, India, August 4, 2019)-Indian textiles sector needs to refocus and concentrate on value addition. Textile industry in India is in distress due to sluggishness in yarn uptake by the upstream sectors. The ongoing trade war between the United States and China is having its own effect on the manufacturing and textile sectors in India. Cotton availability situation, manufacturing cost and slowing of yarn export are some of the factors that are negatively affecting the industry. While cotton prices are showing a declining trend since this June, spinning industry is not enthused in buying cotton at the present time. 30-mm cotton that used to be priced at Indian Rupees (INR) 47,000 to 48,000 per candy (about 356 Kgs) few months back, today is priced around 44,000 INR per candy, which should interest mills to buy and stock. Lack of cotton yarn buying by the upstream sector in India has put enormous pressure on the spinning industry and allied sectors such as textile machinery. “Yarn demand is not there,” stated Mr. S. K. Nanjappan, managing director of Coimbatore-based Kanaka Lakshmi Mills, Pvt. Ltd., who has been in the textile field for 50-years. Nanjappan is my alumni brother who graduated from the prestigious Chennai-based A. C. Tech, Anna University in 1970, followed with a management degree from the elite Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad in 1974. A telephone conversation with him today revealed many valuable points worth considering. Indian domestic market is saturated and hence value-addition focusing on technical products and export market is needed. He highlighted how his company started moving away from fashion and commodity textiles in the year 2000. Today, his weaving mill manufactures 400,000 square meters of woven cloth per month that goes into making base cloth for abrasives, showcasing the positive aspect of diversification. He is still exploring various options to take his company into technical textiles industry. “Cotton yarns are selling at a much lower price than last year, thus squeezing margins and forcing production shutdown,” stated Mr. Velmurugan, general manager of a 70,000 ring spindle mill in Aruppukottai, South India. China factored heavily in his views on the slowdown of the Indian textile sector. He agreed with this scribe’s view that value-addition is the need of the hour. He stated that Indian spinning sector is a world leader, however, upstream sectors such as processing and technical textiles sectors need enhancement. He insisted that Indian government needs to support export by boosting incentives to capture high-end markets. The cotton yarn situation has forced one day/week mandatory factory closures in some regions in India and idling about 30% of the total spinning capacity in India. For two decades, I have been championing the development of value-added sector, by careful diversification across the fiber to fashion supply chain since my lecture at a meeting in Coimbatore organized by the South India section of the United Kingdom-based The Textile Institute during the Fall of 1999. Indian textile and manufacturing industry needs an uptick. “Indian industry, not only the textile sector is in a wait and watch mood,” stated textile industry veteran Mr. Nanjappan.
Technical Textile Sector Immediate Needs
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(August 7, 2019, Ichalkaranji, India)—Marketing knowhow and support are the immediate needs of the Indian technical textiles sector.
Amidst heavy southwest monsoon downpours, my visit to Ichalkaranji in the state of Maharashtra, India resulted in constructive discussions with experts at the DKTE Society’s Textile & Engineering Institute in Ichalkaranji that threw much needed light on the current status of the technical textiles sector in India.
Since 2009, I have been pushing for the need of value-addition to nonwoven roll goods (fabrics) in India, in addition to creating more technical and marketing awareness.
DKTE institute is the home for India’s only Center of Excellence for Nonwovens (CoE-Nonwovens) focusing on nonwovens R & D. Nonwoven offers good opportunity for the conventional textile sector to diversify stated, Professor P. V. Kadole, director of the institute. Products with specific end-use applications have to be conceived say for the Indian set-up and have to be marketed. “Industry can make use of R & D facilities like us to develop new products. Due to the interest from entrepreneurs, our R & D center even functions two shifts when needed,” added Kadole.
R & D is needed and at the same time marketing knowhow needs strengthening stated, Professor U. J. Patil, deputy director of the institute.
Stating that many new nonwoven projects have emerged in the recent two years, marketing support is needed. Industry needs to avail government support schemes to develop a strong technical textile sector base in India, stated Aniket Bhute, technical director of the CoE-Nonwovens.
While in India awareness is there about technical textiles sector, focused efforts are needed to promote and grow the value-addition in this sector. “We need value-addition, not manufacturing nonwoven fabrics only,” stated Rajanna Gotipamul, who teaches technical textiles to students at the institute.
Technical textiles should also explore sustainability aspects and focus on heath care and environmental protection products. Agreeing on this aspect, R & D programs and product development should focus on cost-effective greener materials and natural fibers stated M. Y. Gudiyawar, a senior professor at the Ichalkaranji-based institute.
In my travels across the globe for 25-years and dealing with many institutes, it is pleasing to report that the DKTE Institute in Ichalkaranji is one of the finest in undertaking applied research in the textiles field.
Knowledge Pilgrimage for Innovation and Growth
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(August 12, 2019, Aruppukottai, India)—Innovation and effective use of science and technology are much needed for growth, said The Honorable Vice President of India.
Yesterday in an event in Chennai, India, themed, “Listening, Learning and Leading,” Honorable Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India stressed the importance of lifelong learning for personal and professional growth. Science and technology, education, youth development, culture are valuable for national growth, stated Mr. Naidu.
I was honored to have been invited to this function which was fashioned in such a way that leading personalities in all walks of life such as space science, agriculture, cinema, academics that included students and politics attended.
Need for sustainable agriculture, utilization of technology to deliver important goods to the public, have become very important in the current liberalized, privatized and global economy (LPG) stated the Vice President. It was pleasing to note that the focus was on the need to interact with students and scientists. In his two years in office, the Vice President has delivered 61 convocation addresses, stressing the importance of education. Mr. Naidu termed such interactions as “Knowledge Pilgrimage.”
Government schemes such as the direct assistance to farmers need to reach the masses swiftly which can be delivered effectively through technology. Professor M. S. Swaminathan, the noted agricultural scientist made a clarion call to enhance farm productivity and the quality of farm products. This factor needs to be considered by the Indian cotton sector, as the yield is less than the global average yield. Cotton yield/acre in China and Australia and three times that of India—a fact, worth noting.
The Honorable Amit Shah, Home Minister of India, who released the book on “Listening, Learning and Leading,” emphasized the importance of listening and learning, which are needed for leaders.
In my opinion, these traits are much needed for scientists these days as conducting research in isolation and satisfying just intellectual curiosities are not sufficient. Translation of ideas from lab to supermarket aisles are needed for economic growth.
“Make-in-India“ initiative promoted by the current Modi government has given a greater push for many industries to focus on research to develop value-added products. Chennai-based Carborundum Universal Ltd., Aruppukottai-based Jayalakshmi Textiles, Bengaluru-based Resil Chemicals and Coimbatore-based Kanaka Lakshmi Textiles, are a few companies that I have interacted during my current travels in India, that are going on a high gear to transfer their R & D efforts into market place.
Additionally, Indian government is promoting the start-up culture as a way of employment generation. Chennai-based WellGro United is a good showcase which has taken an Indian made product to a global scale by having marketing collaboration with Lubbock, USA-based E Innovate, LLC in releasing “Towelie,” an oil absorbent nonwoven mat.
Industry-Institute Interaction (3Is) needs to be a priority, which is well practiced by institutes such as Ichalkaranji-based DKTE Society’s Textile & Engineering Institute, which I visited amidst heavy monsoon outpours and floods, last week.
Professor Sridhar Narayanan of Chennai-based Great Lakes Institute of Management, who attended the event stated that technology is much needed for national growth and more importantly it should help the people in the lowest rung of the society.
This scribe has been undertaking “mission-linked” applied research for 20-years at Lubbock, USA-based Texas Tech University that has resulted in the translation of laboratory research to market place such as “Fibertect,” military wipes and “Towelie,” oil absorbent.
[Writer's Note: This column is based on a speech delivered yesterday by the The Honorable Vice President of India in the presence of The Honorable Home Minister of India. I was humbled and honored to have been invited to attend this event in Chennai, India.]
Indian Textile Sector has the Potential to Double
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(August 13, 2019, Aruppukottai, India)—Indian textile industry can double in the next five years if certain challenges are addressed.
It was such a relish for me to have visited with Mr. M. K. Ganesh Bapu, CEO of Madurai-based Ganesh Textile Agencies, who is a fellow alumnus of the prestigious Chennai-based institution Alagappa College of Technology. Having graduated B. Tech in textiles in 1978, Ganesh Bapu has had over 4-decades of rich experience in the textile sector. He now focuses on yarn exports and trading textile machinery based out of the temple city—Madurai in South India.
A tête-à-tête with Ganesh Bapu in a coffee shop this morning in Madurai revealed his rich experience and knowledge of the Indian textile industry. Indian textile sector contributes 5% to the global textile trade, which can double in the coming five years, provided a concerted effort is taken by the stakeholders, said Ganesh Bapu.
The current stressful cotton yarn situation in India, with lack of demand from China should be considered as an opportunity for the industry to regroup and come out with growth plans. Pressure from fluctuations in cotton price will be an ongoing issue as it varies with supply, hedging and stocking by multinational companies. Indian government should help the industry by easing the interest on working capital, creating a level playing field on par with international rates.
Value-addition beyond the spinning sector by focusing on the manufacturing of high-valued garments, development of feasible technical textile products, both for domestic and exports markets are some of the areas that need prompt consideration according to Ganesh Bapu.
Indian industry has to work with domestic R &D institutions in creating practical knowhow on technical textiles products. And, finding international collaborations for marketing industrial products should be thought seriously. He applauded the “Towelie,” oil sorbent model, wherein an Indian manufacturing industry has tied-up with United States’ based company to market. When the market matures in India, for these products, domestic market can be tapped.
In the conventional sector, building a pipeline of skilled workforce at the shop floor level is critically needed. Attention need to be given to vocational training schools for technicians in the textile field akin to those of electricians and plumbers—a sage advice indeed!
Enhancing the conventional sector by widening the product basket, collective effort among government, industry and R & D to develop value-added products that can be marketed and strengthening applied research and vocational training systems are a few valuable take home messages from the meeting.
Technical Skill Development and Research are Needed for the Textile Industry
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, August 19, 2019)-Technical skill development, research and development are immediately needed for the textile sector.
Today, as I leave for the United States wrapping-up my three-month sojourn in India that resulted in many interactions with industrialists and academics spanning spinning, weaving, finishing and technical textiles, it became evident that the Indian textile sector is keen to diversify and is looking for ways forward to enhance its value.
The trip had its finale with a visit to Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences in Peenya, Bengaluru to interact with professors and students in the Faculty of Art and Design. I was pleased to notice the motto of the institute to be, ”Applied Brilliance Makes all the Difference.” Situated in the Peenya Industrial Estate that has about 900 garment units, it is a perfect fit that the university offers programs in industrial design and textile fashion design. Some of leading names in the sector that are housed in the area include Gokaldas Exports, Gemini Finishing Mill, Sonal Exports, Shahi Exports, Texport Oversees, etc.
The department of fashion design is focusing on institute-industry interaction with skill development activities such as a 45-day program on sewing for training workforce with less formal education such as those with just 5th grade, stated Dr. Mamatha Hegde, head of the department of fashion design. With the support of central and state governments, training programs for shop floor technicians in the garment industry such as fabric quality evaluation, garment manufacturing basics, shop floor management that includes occupational safety are planned.
Recently a few garment units have closed due to lack of exports and labor issues stated, Mamatha Hegde. This necessitates the need for new product development to enhance the textile sector, added Hegde.
As part of my interaction with about 200 people, I was fortunate to do a demonstration of the “Towelie,” oil absorbent product, which was conceived by me to address the Gulf of Mexico oil spill issue. Undergraduate students showed keen interest to know about research and development activities in textiles. B. Ram Kishan, a third year undergraduate product design student enthusiastically performed hands-on demonstration of the “Towelie,”oil absorbent. Hopefully, such activities would create interests among young students to take-up applied textile research to address global issues.
Training textile industry workforce at shop floor and research levels is the need of the hour. This aspect has been aptly handled by the current Modi Government by launching the “Skill India,” campaign to train industrial workforce in different fields. Industry will benefit if skills for marketing and project management are also imparted.
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Big Bang to Biodegradable Textiles
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, July 25, 2019)-Eight year old kids teach the importance of sustainability.
Tracing how the Universe evolved out of “Big Bang,” some 13.7 billion years ago, 231, 3rd grade students of Bengaluru-based Vidyashilp Academy, today sent a strong message to save the environment.
As the father of a 3rd grade student Aditya Ritvik Ramkumar at Vidyashilp, I was fortunate to attend the event “Sneak Peek,” organized as part of environmental sciences curriculum at the school, wherein 231 students under the guidance of a team of twelve dedicated teachers created an awareness to a room full of adults on the importance of saving the planet and environmental sustainability.
The nearly two hour event started with a lesson on how earth adapted itself after the big bang explosion, teaching the importance of adaptability. Self-development, adaptation, need to dream were some of the positive messages, eight year old educators told grown up students who were watching the performance with attention and awe. These are indeed management lessons, gurus teach in the hallowed halls of Harvard and Institute Institutes of Management.
For industry professionals, fiber science and materials researchers, there were a few lessons such as forests needs to be saved, industrialization is needed, but must be balanced.
The performance by budding citizens had plenty of lessons for human development. Ms. V. K. Seema, the teacher who was part of the 12-member team at Vidyashilp told this scribe that the school wanted to use innovative methods to train the next generation, particularly about the importance of saving the planet and environmental sustainability.
It is pleasing to know that schools these days are focusing on education related to sustainability, which will definitely lead to a well-balanced economic growth.
During my current travels in India, it has been pleasure to notice that many established industry groups and start-ups in the textiles sector such as Aruppukottai-based Jayalakshmi Textiles, Coimbatore-based Kanaka Lakshmi Mills and Chennai-based WellGro United are joining hands to develop biodegradable technical textiles such as oil absorbents, next generation cotton for industrial applications, etc.
Vidyashilp’s third graders ended up their event with an important message—“a little bit of dream and hope will lead to light at the end of the tunnel.” What a sage message!
Towelie Oil Absorbent Swims into a World Sailing EventBy: Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA (Bengaluru, India, July 30, 2019)-Made in India product makes strides into a global sailing event in Japan. INDO-United States’ collaborative product, manufactured in India will be used in the Hempel World Series Sailing Event in Enoshima, Japan, to be held between August 25th and September 1st, 2019. Enoshima event will see 600 of the world's top sailors coming from over 50 countries. Towelie oil absorbent marketed globally by Lubbock, USA-based E Innovate, LLC will help to meet the sustainability goals of the international sailing event in Japan. Chennai, India-based WellGro United manufactures different versions of Towelie oil absorbent products for industrial and environmental clean-up applications. It is pleasing to report that the product conceived by me and developed out of United States-India collaboration will be used in the Enoshima Hempel World Series Sailing event in Japan. This scribe has been working on a commercially viable environmentally sustainable oil absorbent since the Gulf of Mexico oil spill in the United States. It has taken a global collaboration to make this effort possible. Towelie absorbents have been chosen to support the Hempel World Cup Series, Enoshima event's sustainability initiative. Towelie absorbent will support the event’s goal to reach the World Sailing’s “Sustainability Agenda 2030.” World Sailing's Sustainability Agenda 2030 outlines how the sport of sailing will contribute to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. “This event will require more than 300 rigid inflatable boats powered by outboard gasoline engines to be filled every day. The chance of oil spill is high and we are happy to know that "Towelie" will be on hand to soak up the spills and protect the environment," said Mark Smith, the event’s sustainability officer. The use of “Made-in-India,” Towelie, marketed by USA based E Innovate, LLC is a great showcase of global collaboration finding its way into an international event, said WellGro United’s NambiSrinivasan.
June, 2019
June 12
Successful Indigenous Development of Biodegradable Oil Sorbent
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Aruppukottai, India, June 12, 2019) -Today, Wellgro United in collaboration with Jayalakshmi Textiles released indigenously developed biodegradable oil sorbent and industrial high-tech wipe.
This scribe has worked with the two Indian companies in developing the green product.
Greater awareness of plastic pollution, more importantly, the release of micro plastic beads from synthetic products such as kitchen wipes has put pressure on textile and nonwoven companies to replace synthetics as much as possible in single-use wipes. The two Indian companies have partnered and worked closely with this scribe in launching the product to the marketplace today.
Most of the commercial oil sorbents today are polypropylene based meltblown and thermal bonded products that can release micro plastics into the environment. The wipe released today is highly biodegradable and will be devoid of polypropylene, making it a unique product to solve important environmental problems.
Aruppukottai-based Jayalakshmi Textiles is a successful cotton spinning entity with 70,000 spindles and is an established presence in the cotton sector. Chennai-based Wellgro United is specialized in value-added industrial textile products such as oil absorbents.
“We have used our experience in manufacturing cotton products to develop probably the first ‘Made-in India,’ biodegradable oil absorbent wipe. The collaboration with Wellgro United has enabled us to focus our attention on industrial textile products,” stated Shanmugam Velmurugan, general manager of Jayalakshmi Textiles. “Wellgro United is excited to work with Jayalakshmi Textiles and Texas Tech University’s Professor Seshadri Ramkumar to release the first indigenously manufactured biodegradable oil absorbent wipe,” stated Nambisrinivasan of Wellgro United.
This scribe has been advocating the concept of diversification in the Indian conventional textile sector to develop technical textiles with minimum additional investments. The launch of biodegradable high-tech wipe is a good example to showcase the successful collaboration between a spinning industry and a high-tech start-up.
Textile sector needs the infusion of ideas to develop technical textiles. “Jayalakshmi Textiles has focused on its textile strength, to launch a value-added industrial product,” stated Rengasamy Mohankumar of Jayalakshmi Textiles, who has been involved in the product development.
Product launch details available at:
May, 2019
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India Shaping to be a Market for United States’ Cotton
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, May 14, 2019)-Trade war and India’s lowered cotton output are enablers for new market opportunities for United States’ cotton in India.
Mr. Arun Sekhsaria, Director of Mumbai-based Cotton Association of India (CAI) who is visiting the United States this week to explore different business opportunities spoke today with this scribe on the global cotton scenario. In speaking about the potential growth opportunities in cotton trade between United States and India, Sekhsaria provided an optimistic picture.
Arun Sekhsaria was present at the meeting between the USDA representative in India and the CAI officials during the last week in April that has led to the downward revision of India’s production estimate by USDA. USDA’s official estimate is now at 32.5 million bales (325 lakh bales of 170 Kgs each). However, the CAI’s estimate is still low, and it is pegged at 31.6 million bales (316 lakh bales of 170 Kgs each). Lack of rain during the early part of the season has led to the decline in cotton output in major cotton growing areas such as Gujarat, Telangana and Maharashtra.
Discussion in the past few days among the Indian end-user community is that spinners have to look for imported cotton. Traders like Arun Sekhsaria, Managing Director of Mumbai-based D. D. Cotton, Pvt. Ltd., are making sincere efforts to provide appropriate cotton for Indian spinners, which includes importing option as well.
Commenting on the trade war between China and USA, Sekhsaria opined that Brazil may capture the China cotton market, therefore United States’ should be looking for different markets such as India. Particularly opportunities are on the horizon for cottons grown organically and under better cotton initiative (BCI).
“India is appropriate market for 2018 and 2019 U.S. crops,” stated Sekhsaria. However, the quality of cotton left over from the 2018 crop may not be adequate. But with the rains and favorable weather in West Texas, crop with good quality is expected for the 2019 crop added, Sekhsaria. Starting August, India will be a favorable market for U.S cotton as its prices are below the MSP support prices in India.
There is a need for more awareness of the United States’ cotton sector among Indian spinners. Having visited Lubbock during Fall 2018 to see new applications for cotton such as oil absorbent wipes, Arun Sekhsaria is planning to bring a delegation of spinners from India to Texas in August 2019.
Mixed Cotton Signals from the United States
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, May 17, 2019)-Higher expectations on the 2019 crop and unsettled trade disputes between the United States and China are leading to unsettling situation in the cotton industry.
Planting has taken a momentum this week in the High Plains of Texas with good soil temperature in most parts. “Moisture is the dream come true,” said one seed company representative in today’s morning meeting at the Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers (PCG), Inc. “20-30% of region’s cotton acres have already been planted and next week will see greater activity due to the time limit posed by crop insurance,” stated Mark Brown, director of field services of PCG. “We have not had such a good moisture in many years,” said Steve Verett, executive vice president of PCG
While the industry is happy with the weather conditions, so far, not all is rosy for the United States’ cotton sector. As the United States’ cotton sector is dependent on exports, with higher yield, comes higher stress to sell cotton. Market is in distress primarily due to the continuing trade issues with China. With the Trump administration imposing additional tariffs on Chinese imports, retaliation by Chinese is evident, which affects the cotton market.
In past two weeks, cotton futures have dropped by 10-cents and today, the December future is in the mid to upper sixty cent range. Huge crop expectation this season, is adding pressure to the market. United States’ is expected to produce 22 million bales of cotton (480 lbs. each). How to sell the 17 million bales that is targeted for export, asked one participant in today’s meeting. Because of the trade situation, there might me some cotton bales rolled over from last year’s trading, adding more pressure.
The need to continue market facilitation program is being felt strongly in the cotton sector. It looks like United States Department of Agriculture will soon make an announcement on the continuation of the program for the 2019 crop.
United States’ cotton sector is exploring new market opportunities. Will India be a promising market?
Lessons from Leading Events for BusinessesBy: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, May 24, 2019)—Recent global events this week serve as valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and businesses.
Yesterday’s India’s national election verdict in the largest democratic exercise in the world and todays’ Brexit outcome in the United Kingdom can serve as valuable lessons for businesses and in fact, all individuals.
India’s ruling Bharatia Janata Party’s (BJP), sweeping election victory, winning over 300 seats in the Lok Sabha, India’s national assembly, gaining the single most majority for the second time since the 2014 national elections has brought enormous recognition for India as a global player.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image as a decisive and confident leader has in fact played the major role in this clear mandate in India. People look towards a leader who can inspire, as is evident from this recent event. In addition, a leader needs to show convincing leadership skills to clinch a deal. In spite of repeated efforts, Prime Minister Theresa May has not been able to convince her own party dissenters to help with a smooth Brexit divorce that has to led to the resignation of the Prime Minister from party leadership.
These political events clearly point to the importance of decisive leadership, which is a must for businesses as well. In an interview with David Rubenstein, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple stated that the reason he joined Apple when it was just emerging was due to the leadership of Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs was turning towards left when others were looking right, showing that he was a distinct leader who believes strongly in his conviction and vision that led Tim Cook to quit his job from Compaq, highlighting the fact that convincing leadership role matters in determining whether the election of a nation or creating a successful global corporation.
In looking at how global successful companies emphasize on the chemistry between its employees and customers, political parallel is how a leader connects with the stakeholder (people). This is clearly evident in Prime Minister’s Modi’s election victory and his marketing skills. While opposition parties formed a strong coalition to unseat the ruling BJP government, slick marketing campaign by reading the minds of people and capturing their sentiments helped with the huge victory--shows the importance of strategic marketing–a good lesson for businesses and start-ups.
Learning from mistakes, and swiftly making corrective course is a valuable lesson for the industry. Again, the recent election in India helps to learn. While losing the recent state elections, although by narrow margins in two northern Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, strategic efforts to convince the voters within a short timeframe has turned the tide giving a major victory for Prime Minister Modi in these states, is a great lesson for leaders whether in industry or politics.
Understanding constituents that equates to learning from consumers using their feedback is valuable for start-ups as they improve their products and fix price points.
Surely, recent worldwide events give positive lessons for all of us. How we learn from these matters!
Startup Culture Needs a Push
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, May 29, 2019)-Innovative and new ways of solving problems will get due attention, in India and elsewhere.
All eyes are on the formation of the new central government in India with Mr. Narendra Modi’s inauguration tomorrow as India’s Prime Minister--his consecutive second term in the office. India’s majority electorate took into consideration Mr. Modi’s leadership skills in electing his party to the unprecedented victory. Many nations are looking towards a decisive leader to lead them in these days of trade and political uncertainties.
Indian government’s policies are expected to help with job oriented growth, which is the need of the hour. India’ growth is lingering around 7% and the youth are hoping for increased job opportunities.
India needs to push the startup culture on a high gear to provide job opportunities for a million new entrants coming into the workforce each month. Initiatives such as Startup India, Atal Innovation Initiative, Digital India, Make in India will get serious consideration to grow the economy. “It is hoped that the new government will fine tune the Goods and Services Tax system to improve the economy, which is a welcome one,” stated Venkatakrishnan Ramanujam, president of a Chennai-based startup WellGro United. WellGro United has recently launched an ecofriendly oil absorbent wipe, which is getting exported to the United States and few other countries.
Majority who voted for Mr. Modi’s party to govern expressed satisfaction, as the election was centered around his decisive leadership, which is hoped to boost confidence among businesses and consumers. In addition to service, banking and healthcare, the retail sector is expected to have positive growth prospects. Sudhir Kumar, president of Bengaluru-based Innoroots, a consultancy agency stated that the retail sector in India will cross over a US$ one trillion soon. Growth is happening in India, while economies are saturated in developed nations. “Global brands should eye on India for manufacturing their products for exports as well as capture the growing domestic Indian market,” added Sudhir Kumar. India offers enormous opportunities for the infrastructure sector as there is a critical need to improve airports and roads. People are hoping that the new government will focus its attention on this sector as has been the case in Varanasi---Prime Minister Modi’s home constituency. Varanasi’s roads have been broadened and the city’s sanitation infrastructure has tremendously improved in the past few years stated a Larsen & Toubro, civil engineer from Prayagaraj (formely Allahabad city), who is on an assignment in Botswana.
The new Indian government should push public sector banks to support the startup ecosystem as a way to build wealth and create more opportunities for India’s youth.
April, 2019
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Why Cotton?
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, April 9, 2019)- Building demand for cotton is needed as good production potential is expected in near future.
Cotton is in business as it is presold on its comfort. Speaking to a large audience on April 5 at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers (PCG), Inc., Berrye Worsham, President and CEO of Cary-based Cotton Incorporated, highlighted three important aspects of cotton to enhance its demand.
Cotton production in the United States of America in near future is expected to reach 20-25 million bales (480 lbs. each), that necessitates creating more value and new industrial applications such toxic oil absorbent and insulation products.
According to Worsham, cotton’s advantages fall into three categories: 1) Health/wellness; 2) Strategic benefits and 3) Sustainability. Compared to some synthetics, cotton does not cause skin irritation. Synthetics may retain odor more than cotton and workout clothes from cotton wash much cleaner.
In a survey, it was revealed that 82% of consumers surveyed in India stated that sustainability influenced their clothing purchase, in China 64% of consumers were influenced by sustainability, while the number in the United States was 47 percent.
Textiles account for about 37% of microplastic contamination in water. With growing awareness on the microplastic pollution, cotton being natural, offers competitive advantage, as the fine cotton fibers degrade in water systems. There are predictions that with increase in the synthetics’ usage, the microplastic contamination can grow three times by 2050, which is a serious concern.
Cotton industry is also focusing its efforts to create more awareness among consumers on the fiber content in their clothing, stated Worsham.
China Signaling Buying U.S. Cotton
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, April 12, 2019)-China has started showing interest in buying United States’ cotton.
There has been some movement in the United States’ cotton to China, which is a positive signal. This is in anticipation of a positive trade deal between China and the United States.
Cotton industry stakeholders who met this morning at Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers’ (PCG), Inc., focused their attention on the planting season ahead. With the ginning process completed this week in the High Plains of Texas, it is hoped that the High Plains’ cotton production will cross the 4 million bales mark.
“Demand for cotton is there,” stated one merchant at the meeting. This is evident at the December Futures value for the new crop (77.60 cents). This is somewhat high, given the volume of cotton left to sell, somewhere about half to three quarter of a million in the United States.
China’s buying is certainly hampered with the 25% tariff and the future buying in volumes depends on a favorable trade deal, that needs to be accomplished sooner. While China normally goes for high quality cotton, they are interested in lower grades (31 and 41 color grade) at a discounted price. Trade deal will enable to push these cottons into the China market.
“Everybody is hopeful that a deal can be finalized sooner to clear the way for cotton to move into China,” stated Shawn Wade, Director of Policy Analysis and Research at PCG.
On the quality note, this year’s average micronaire for the cotton bales classed at Lubbock USDA classing office has been 4.07, which is good number compared with the last year’s average of 3.21.
A Few Tips for a Successful Business
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, April 16, 2019)- Have ideas to sell as well as ideas to develop a new product.
While economic growth has been a jobless growth in many countries, creating a start-up culture may offer some help.
Speaking to entrepreneurs, researchers and students recently in Lubbock, Sherwin Greenblatt, one of the first employees of the Bose Corporation and its former president enlightened the audience on how to take an idea and create a successful business out it. Texas Tech University (TTU) organized a week long, “Discoveries to Impact Week,” this month focusing on research translation. Lawrence Schovanec, president of the university emphasized the importance of research at undergraduate level highlighting the “Transformative Undergraduate Experiences (TrUE),” which is a new paradigm in learning and teaching at TTU.
In the innovation world, the translation of ideas from lab to reality is the toughest part which is often referred to as the “death valley.” In the personal experience of this scribe, ideas can be innovative and good, unless they are developed into a product for which the price is at the right mark, it often is a tough sail. This emphasizes the importance of good marketing strategy, “plan to sell.”
“We need ideas to sell as we need ideas to develop products,” stated Greenblatt—what a sage wisdom. Greenblatt’s view highlights the need to have a proper planning right from the scratch, for an entrepreneur who wants to develop an idea to a commercial product or license it from a research laboratory.
Greenblatt’s talk provided few tips that may be useful for any business. One should know the purpose of any venture, which will lead to the founding principle. Bose started the company with a simple but real purpose, which was to provide high quality acoustics so that people can enjoy. This vision has today translated into a company with over US$ 4 billion in sales with 10,000 employees. Attracting proper talent, who like what they do in addition to expertise is important.
An important advice was that one must balance the short- and long-term goals. This has been the case with Bose Corporation. While they were improving their acoustic products, there were selling power conversion devices using semiconductors. For start-ups, it is not possible to have all the expertise, so getting someone else to do some jobs is always important.
It is good to plan, and an understanding of the need and current market helps. In other words, product needs to be practical, which will be accepted by consumers. Right product in right market at right price always helps. Having great ideas help but at the same time, ideas for marketing should also be developed right from the get-go.
Nonwoven Innovations to be Featured
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, April 18, 2019)- Nonwoven sector is a growth industry.
According to recent statistics, the global nonwoven industry has registered a growth of 6.9 percent. Speaking with this scribe yesterday, Brad Kalil, director of market research and statistics at the Cary-based INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry presented a growth picture for the sector. On production terms, United States accounts for 30% of global production at roll goods (fabric) stage accounting about US$13.7 billion in value. The value at roll goods stage globally will be about US$50 billion. When this scribe started promoting the nonwoven sector in India in 2006, the global nonwovens sector at roll goods level was valued at US$30 billion.
Nonwoven’s field lends itself to constant research and innovation. The Nonwovens Engineers and Technologists (NET) division of TAPPI will be showcasing new developments in the field in the forthcoming NETInc 2019 conference to be held this May in conjunction with the world’s leading paper conference (PaperCon 2019) in Indianapolis. Over 1000 participants have already registered for the PaperCon event. Larry Montague, president of TAPPI commented, “this year’s event will showcase best practices for now, and ideas for the future to drive the industry forward.”
The nonwoven conference will kick-off with keynote presentations. Andrew Aho, vice-president of new business development at Industrial Fabrics Association International will provide insights on the United States’ advanced textiles market and outlook for the future. Amit Kapoor, president and CEO of First Line Technology, will focus his talk on nonwovens commercialization pathways. First Line has transitioned nonwoven wipe, “FiberTect,” into defense markets.
With heightened awareness on plastic contamination, papers on bio-based oil absorbing nonwovens, antibacterial cotton products and developments in nanocellulose research will be presented. The conference has attracted good mix of papers from industry and academia on varied themes such as innovative filter media, foam finishing, biodegradable wool felts, etc.
Gaurav Pranami, vice president R & D at Imbed Biosciences, stated, “with 22 talks on the latest R&D in the field of nonwovens from industry and academia and national and international participants, NETInc 2019 is the conference to be.” More details about the event is at:
Sustainable Oil Sorbent Debuts in the U.S. Market
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, April 22, 2019)- Sustainable and biodegradable fibrous oil sorbent makes into to the United States’ market.
A Texas Tech University’s (TTU) alumni has enabled the market penetration of different versions of efficient oil absorbent mats and wipes, “Towelie TM.” The product has evolved out of a successful collaboration between India and United States utilizing strengths in the textile and advanced materials sectors in the two nations.
Ronald Kendall, Jr., showed interest in finding sustainable solutions for toxic oil spill as a high school student and carried out research in this scribe’s Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory during Fall 2011-Spring 2012. Kendall, Jr., attended TTU majoring in energy commerce and has continued his passion for finding environmentally friendly solutions for toxic oil spills, which has resulted in his founding, E Innovate, LLC. Kendall, Jr., serves as its president ably assisted by young entrepreneurs who have a passion to innovate and finding environmentally friendly solutions to complex problems such as oil contamination.
Towelie TM is not only an oil absorbent, it functions as an efficient wipe for cleaning leaking well heads, rods and tubes in oil and gas production. Field studies in oil production wells in the Permian Basin have been successful and well received by leading companies. “This product has been exceeding expectations in efficiently wiping and absorbing hydrocarbons in oil and gas drilling operations and pipelines,” stated Ronald Kendall, Jr.
Some of the largest oil producers have tested the product to replace the shop rags and other synthetic oil absorbing mats. Towelie TM products enhance production efficiency, result in the improvement in workflow in oil and natural gas fields and it offers a sustainable solution as the absorbent core is biodegradable. These products are timely as microplastics and plastic contamination issues are getting serious attention, due to potential environmental and human health risks.
Towelie TM is offered in different versions depending on the need of the customers such as 100% biodegradable, product that has biodegradable sorbent core, etc. “The product can easily transition into various fields such as manufacturing, marine, mining, automobile sector due to its application capability such as sorbents, wipes,” stated Kendall, Jr.
This scribe has been advocating the use of natural materials for oil sorbents and other industrial applications and is thrilled to see products such as Towelie TM that are coming into the market space.
More information of the product is at: http://www.towelieglobal.com
Technical Textiles Sector is the Need of the Hour
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, April 25, 2019)- Current cotton and yarn situations in leading textile manufacturing countries like India is compelling the textile industry to go for diversification.
India has been promoting the technical textiles sector for nearly two decades. The history of this effort in India can be well traced by this scribe as a personal witness. As the co-chairman of the India Committee of the USA-based INDA, Association the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry organized its first nonwoven technical workshop in Mumbai in January 2007 that was followed by a major business event, “Link with India.” Probably, this event was ahead of its time as the technical textiles sector was getting started with wide spread awareness then.
Currently, India is going on a high gear to push technical textiles forward due to the stressful situations faced by the spinning sector due to cotton price volatility and supply issues.
“Margin in the spinning sector has been eroding and today one can say it is non-existent in most of the mills,” stated Prakash Vasudevan, director of Coimbatore-based The South Indian Textile Research Association. Those mills that have invested in wind power and modernization are surviving, but still needs to focus on diversification, added Prakash Vasudevan.
This scribe has been emphasizing on developing a converting sector base for technical textiles. Investing in infrastructure to produce roll goods (fabrics) will be fruitful, if there is a base to absorb huge production. Vasudevan added that there is a need to have specialized converting sector. He further added that exploring the market and strengthening the marketing aspect should take priority. In this scribe’s opinion, there is an immediate need to create a flow channel for technical textiles fabrics (downstream), that can be translated into value-added products, used by consumers. Additionally, creating collaborations between advanced nations in this field such as Germany and United States will pave the way for growth of this sector. Recently, this scribe has enabled a joint effort between a Chennai-based WellGro Innovations and Lubbock-based E Innovate, LLC, which has resulted in the debut of TowelieTM oil sorbent nonwoven wipe in the United States’ market.
Technical textiles sector is getting attention by entrepreneurs as well as conventional players. Santhana Thirumalai, an IT expert who has moved back to Coimbatore from the United States is exploring the advanced textiles sector to diversify their family-based weaving and agriculture activities.
More information on the type of products needed and how to go about developing those products must be made available for the new entrants.
Towelie™ Nonwoven Oil Absorbent Video Released
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, April 30, 2019)- Today, video showcasing the applicability of non-microplastic oil absorbent wipe, Towelie™ has been released.
Lubbock-based E Innovate, LLC showcased the applicability and positive features of non-microplastic oil absorbent mat, Towelie™ via a video release today.
The product’s history is interesting in that the founder of E Innovate, LLC, Ronald Kendall, Jr., was initiated into cotton research while he was a high school student by this scribe in the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University (TTU). Ronald Kendall, Jr. has brought in mechanical engineer Luke Kitten of Slaton to take the product to the next phase.
Both Ronald Kendall, Jr. and Luke Kitten carried out research on cotton in the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory at TTU, while studying in high schools in Lubbock, USA.
The video is available at the company’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9o3X7htCa4
Towelie™ product information is available at: www.towelieglobal.com
March, 2019
March 8
India’s Cotton Production is on Decline
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, March 8, 2019)- Cotton production in India is on the decline.
Yesterday, speaking to an audience of about 400 people in Mumbai, India, Mr. Atul Ganatra, President of Mumbai-based Cotton Association of India (CAI), presented the latest estimate of this year’s (October 2018-September 2019) cotton production in India.
India is estimated to produce 32.8 million bales (170 Kgs each) this year, which is 3.7 million bales less than last year’s crop of 36.5 million bales.
CAI is organizing a major international conference, “Global Opportunities and Challenges in Cotton,” March 6-8, 2019 in Mumbai that has attracted key people in the international cotton research and marketing. Representatives from Washington, DC-based ICAC, UK-based ICA, Texas Tech University, India based ICAR and many cotton trading and related agencies from around the globe are gathering in the important event that is organized at a location in a scenic setting, Nariman Point, Mumbai.
Speaking to this scribe on the sidelines of the event, Mr. Arun Sheksaria, a CAI Director stated that the timing of this conference is important with uncertain trade situation between the world’s leading exporter of cotton, United States and the largest consumer, China. The conference aims to discuss the trade war situation, global economic climate and more importantly enhance the brand image of Indian cotton.
Deficit rainfall during the months of September and October in key cotton growing states in India such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana is the main factor that has resulted in the decline in the crop, stated Atul Ganatra. Therefore, there will be no 4th and 5th pickings. Also, states like Maharashtra and Telangana have urged the farmers to uproot the plants by last December end to prevent pink bollworm infestations.
Serious discussions took place towards enhancing the yield in India, which is a major issue faced by Indian farmers, as the average yield in India falls below the global average yield/acre.
Commenting on the price situation, Ganatra advised Indian mills to procure cotton now as spot price of 29 mm quality crop hoovers around Rs 42,000 per candy, warning that price may go up as cotton shortage is expected after June 2019.
India may end up with a stock of about 1.7 million bales, which will be less that last year’s ending stock.
February, 2019
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India to be US$ Five Trillion Economy in the Next Five Years
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 1, 2019)-India is on growth trajectory and will be a US$ five trillion economy in the next five years.
Today, Mr. Piyush Goyal, cabinet minister holding the additional portfolio of finance ministry presented the interim Indian budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year, which offers several new initiatives that will support the growth of manufacturing sector like textiles, agriculture and digital economy.
Particularly, the support for medium and small-scale manufacturing enterprises (MSME) will boost textile and allied sectors to go on high gear in research and development. In the United States, supportive schemes such as SBIR has enabled the growth of the R&D base and has helped the small business sector to be a major employer.
According to a new initiative, 25% of procurement by the Indian government should be made from the MSME sector and of which 3% should be from women owned enterprises. As handloom textiles, leather and other cottage industries are with unorganized labor, a new social security (pension) scheme for those aged 60 years has been launched. “The requirement insisted on government agencies to procure from MSMEs will definitely the boost the confidence among small players, which will grow the economy and create jobs,” stated Chennai, India-based Professor Sridhar Narayanan, convener of the education committee of the powerful industry body, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Tamil Nadu state unit.
Infrastructure, agriculture, digital infrastructure and defense sectors will enjoy greater and much needed support. In all these areas, advanced textiles can find new opportunities such as defense clothing, geosynthetics, etc.
“Clean India” initiative (Swachh Bharath) will be of great significance towards rural development and hygiene sector, where again pollution prevention technologies and medical textiles can be a valuable contributor. Companies such as Chennai-based WellGro Tech (www.wellgrotech.com) are already focusing on “Make in India,” effort towards manufacturing products such environmentally friendly oil clean-up technologies, which evolved out of a collaboration between this scribe and a South India-based textile manufacturing company.
In order to support exports and domestic manufacturing, duty free import of some capital goods has been allowed and the customs logistics is being fully digitized to enhance trade.
From the consumer point of view, the budget has supportive fiscal initiatives for middle class, low-income community and farmers, which should boost spending, thereby supporting nonessential commodity procurement by the general public.
Ginner is the Gatekeeper for Cotton Fiber Quality
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 5, 2019)-Ginning is vital to maintain good cotton fiber quality and avoid contamination.
Today, two cotton ginning industry leaders visited the Nonwovens and Advanced Cotton Laboratory at Texas Tech University to discuss latest developments in cotton fiber quality.
As part of West Texas cotton ginning industry visit, Shankar Venkatachalam, President of Alabama-based Bajaj ConEagle, LLC visited Lubbock and TTU’s Advanced Cotton Laboratory. Shankar Venkatachalam was accompanied by Steve Moffett, General Manager of Lubbock Electric Company. They conducted hands-on experiments on the oil absorption characteristics of low micronaire cotton mats developed in the laboratory, assisted by graduate students.
Oleophilic and biodegradable characteristics of cotton mats will create new opportunities for cotton, stated Shankar Venkatachalam.
Fiber strength, length and maturity play important role in the ginning process as well as influence the type of ginning method used. While cotton length is good in India, other characteristics like strength and maturity ratio make them not suitable for saw ginning. India’s ginning sector is based on roller ginning, while in the United States it is based on saw ginning. Because of good fiber strength and maturity, fiber damage does not occur in the saw ginning stated, Shankar Venkatachalam.
We have come a long way in the past twenty years with regard to the staple length in West Texas and today majority of the crop is 36 staple, stated Steve Moffett. There has been tremendous technology influence in ginning, where remote monitoring is helping with production efficiency, added Moffett. Improvements in genetics and varieties have enabled higher staple length and more yield per acre, which have enabled gins to operate at their full capacity stated Moffett.
Lint cleaning and drying needs to be enhanced in Indian gins to enhance quality commented Shankar Venkatachalam. Roller gins operate at 75-100 Kgs/hour/machine, while saw gins operate at 15 bales/hour/machine. It will be a paradigm shift to venture into saw gins in India as the fiber length is good enough to be processed through the saw gins at slower speeds. African gins run at a slower speed of about 10 bales/hour and have thereby improved the quality of their cotton according to Shankar Venkatachalam. South Africa is slow switching over to saw ginning to enhance its cotton quality.
As India is venturing into the next phase of Technological Mission on Cotton, it will be valuable to focus on the trash and quality of ginned cotton. Although Indian cottons entering gins are not moist, still it will be helpful to dry them to get cleaner cotton.
Bajaj ConEagle, LLC has about 20 saw gin installations around the globe with 10 in the United States. Its parent company, Nagpur, India-based Bajaj Steel industries, Ltd is a leader in roller gin technology and sells about 6000 roller gins per year in India and East Africa.
Future of Innovation
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 7, 2019)-Active innovation ecosystem is the future of research enterprise.
Today, Texas Tech University (TTU) organized an engaging event in Lubbock to discuss the future of the research enterprise and the need for an innovation ecosystem to advance economy.
As the economies of most developed nations are facing stagnation and even developing nations witnessing jobless growth, efforts undertaken by research universities to create innovation ecosystem that transfer research into deliverables and jobs are being noticed.
Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India recently made a clarion call to researchers to focus on research commercialization.
“Support for innovation has become one of the core functions of modern research universities,” stated Joseph Heppert, Vice President for Research at Texas Tech University.
The old way of research commercialization, which was a “push” approach doesn’t seem to work these days. “Proactive approach which enables the start-up culture is the way forward,” stated David Snow, Senior Managing Director of the Office of Research Commercialization at TTU. Certainly, this scribe can vouch to this approach being a practitioner of translational research for 20-years at Texas Tech University. One of his early inventions, FiberTect military wipe has been commercialized by Chantilly-based First Line Technology. It is easier if a technology finds a home in the society, which has been the case with the FiberTect textile wipes and low-grade cotton mats for oil spill remediation.
David Snow outlined some of the benefits the inventors and academics receive by commercializing their inventions. He emphasized the importance of engagement with industry and customers to transfer technologies into market place. In a question from this scribe on the need for marketing support, Snow admitted access to resources is a challenge, which can be overcome by attracting support from local economic development agencies, which support small grants to develop prototypes.
The importance of taking an idea and creating start-ups was emphasized by Kimberly Gramm, Senior Managing Director of the Innovation Hub at Texas Tech University. Gramm began her speech with a slogan, “We Launch Start-ups.” Outlining government supportive programs to promote research commercialization, Gramm pointed to support initiatives by science funding agencies which are now realizing the broader impact of technology transfer and commercialization.
It is clear from a productive event today that research engine is moving faster from being a generator of ideas to being a job creator with broader societal and economic impacts.
Some Tips for Businesses
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 8, 2019)- A life in the service of a society and more importantly in the service of community of nations provides sage wisdom for personal and professional growth.
Yesterday, Ambassador Sichan Siv, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (2001-2006) visited Texas Tech University. While speaking to an attentive audience, Ambassador Siv’s journey from the killing fields of Cambodia to White House and subsequently to the United Nations portrayed several attributes, which professionals in businesses could embrace for achieving successes.
The lecture focused on positive attributes such as hope, commitment, perseverance, lifelong learning and above all a great sense of duty to the community and nation.
Having his flights canceled twice due to mechanical failure for his short trip from San Antonio to Lubbock, Siv was determined to arrive in Lubbock for the lecture, a journey that took nearly 24-hours. He drove from San Antonio to Austin to catch a plane to arrive for lecture as planned, is itself a hallmark of commitment.
Escaping hard labor camp in Cambodia during the Vietnam war era and then arriving as a refugee in the United States in 1976 showcased hope, which he learnt from his mother. Starting his New York life as a taxi driver determined to make good for himself took him to the White House serving President George H. W. Bush, which ultimately ended-up in the United Nations.
In a question on reaching heights or in business parlance achieving the financial target, Ambassador Siv stated, unless one tries, the chance of winning or reaching the goal post is not possible. It is like one must play lottery to even dream of winning. Learning has been an important part of his career, which his now deceased wife practiced even as a high school student. He quipped, “behind every successful man, there is a (Texan) librarian.” This relates well with businesses showing continuous professional development is important.
Julie Wheeler, a Plainview native, who has been in the cotton industry for all most all her life, mostly recently with Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Grower, Inc., emphasized the importance of dependability in a business leader, which is often taken for granted.
In a question from this scribe on the contribution to the needy parts of the world, it was clear from what Ambassador Siv practices, being service oriented. This aspect needs to be taken seriously by the corporate world, as industries are being judged by their corporate social responsibility, these days.
A life well lived is a practical textbook for personal and professional development.
All Eyes on Cotton Market
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 15, 2019)-Excess supply and prolonging trade war with China is affecting the cotton market.
Productive, albeit stressful conversations, occurred today at the Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Grower (PCG), Inc., about the current trade situation with China, which is impacting the production agriculture in the United States. More importantly, discussions on how the cotton market with excess supply is being affected with China not being a player due to the prolonged trade dispute between the United States and China occupied the center stage.
With the cost of inputs rising, increase in production coupled with slow demand, cotton farmers are starting to think about alternate strategies. Producers vocally expressed frustration with the dispute lingering so long without an end in sight.
“Tariffs are good for no one,” stated Darren Hudson, professor of agricultural economics at Texas Tech University. Supply is relatively high compared to demand, added Hudson.
Farmers who gathered agreed that the trade issue with China primarily centered around intellectual property rights has been going on for over 2 decades, and therefore finding a resolution is complicated. A solution to the dispute is in the interest of agribusiness, particularly cotton, as China is a major importer of U.S. cotton.
Availability of financial resources in these tough times is critical. Market planning and getting control over costs of inputs and operational costs are some of the strategies that need greater attention. “This emphasizes the need for savvy business calculations and cost-effective practices stressed,“ Steve Verett, executive vice president of PCG and a well-respected leader in the cotton industry.
With the expectation that there will be increased cotton acreage in the United States in 2019, the supply-demand situation is going to play a pivotal role in the cotton sector this year.
Currently, China and Turkey are not active buyers, stated one cotton merchant. Although there is demand for good grade at 70 cents, low grade cotton prices linger around 65 cents. The cotton price and demand situations are being seriously watched as producers have started preparing the land for this year’s cotton planting in West Texas.
Teaching Creativity and Innovation
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 18, 2019)-Can creativity and being innovative be taught? But the process leading to be creative and innovative can be established.
On a recent cool and quiet Saturday morning, a group of people who practice these concepts gathered to interact with the well-known artist couples, Terry and Jo Harvey Allen at Lubbock-based Texas Tech University.
With economies struggling to create new jobs, there needs to be new ideas and thoughts to create opportunities that can arise from the interaction of arts and science to medicine and technology.
“Creativity is unteachable,” said Andy Wilkinson, chair of creative process commons at TTU, a new initiative formed to enable creativity among people with diverse interests and expertise. But, the process to be creative is certainly teachable. The initiative provides people from different disciplines to interact so that creation of new processes and ideas across disciplines can happen.
“Drop down names of disciplines and get down to be a human,” said Terry Allen, who has been an artist and a creator for over fifty years. In other words, breaking down silos and creating an opportunity for designers, technologists and medical doctors to interact is the path forward in the innovation world.
It is not the data or statistics, but human curiosity drives the world of creativity stated Aliza Wong, professor of history at Texas Tech. In these days, diverse pool of talents with varying cultural background, expertise and interest matters, stated Lawrence Schovanec, a mathematician and the current president of Texas Tech University.
To enable creativity and enhance innovative spirit, interactive platforms are necessary and that is the reason, the creative process commons initiative has been launched. The platform is a vehicle for different disciplines to interact, stated Michael Galyean, provost at Texas Tech. Creative process cannot be put in a bottle, but cross fertilization of ideas helps, added Galyean.
Human interaction is key to develop new products and ideas as is evident from new consumer products being developed by tech giants like Apple. Trying new ideas without the constant fear of failure is a step in the right direction.
An important take home message was collaborations are needed and it is not about one person but, the work and collective output matters.
The workshop certainly provided a lot of wisdom to be creative and innovative.
Nobel Laureate Sees No Recession in Sight
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 22, 2019)- Times are good and getting better, economically.
Professor Edward Prescott, Nobel laureate in economics (Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences) who is the co-recipient in 2004, visited Texas Tech University (TTU) yesterday and spoke about the importance of free enterprise. Along the way, he discussed the current global economic situation, in an event organized by TTU’s Free Market Institute.
The Nobel laureate predicted that there is no recession in sight and technological advancements are driving the growth situation. United States’ economy is booming stated Prescott. This has resulted in the shortage of skilled labor force, which is a positive news for higher education sector. One factor that is enabling a higher growth is the recent lowering of U.S. corporate tax rate, which is good according to the Nobel prize winner.
East is catching-up fast with the West and the tech capital they are developing will help them as well as the West added, Professor Prescott.
To a question from this scribe on the current trade war and tariff situation, Professor Prescott said, Presidents must do this sometimes to take care of national interests referring to President Johnson’s effort to protect the U.S. tire industry. He quipped to this scribe, guess what, President Lincoln was the greatest proponent of tariffs.
Joseph Heppert, TTU’s Vice President for Research and Innovation stated that visits by such acclaimed scientists motivates students and researchers and enable positive outcomes.
Having multiple business and manufacturing locations, is an added advantage citing Wal Mart as a good example for having locations in Mexico and elsewhere. An important point that came out of the talk was that team production and resource allocation for team’s efforts, as is currently practiced in big corporations, increase productivity and the wealth of nations. This is what happened in late 1750s with the start of industrial revolution, which wiped out the traditional way of doing businesses.
When knowledge becomes public, it is good, but Prescott cautioned “know your data.” The Nobel laureate advocated for decentralization stating competition among entities likes states within a federal system is healthy, mentioning how Texas has been recently growing in population and economy.
His speech concluded with a message times are good and getting better.
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Reviving Textile Manufacturing in the United States of America
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, January 2, 2019)- Reviving textile manufacturing in the United States is getting a fresh look.
A year end discussion with Professor Eric Hequet, an internationally renowned cotton fiber quality expert at Lubbock-based Texas Tech University, threw light on why there needs to be revival in the textile manufacturing sector in the United States.
While United States’ advanced textile industry that includes nonwovens is showing steady growth and investments, conventional textile manufacturing has shown a decline since 1997. This could be identified with the consumption of cotton in domestic mills, according to Hequet. Currently the cotton consumption in domestic mills within the shores of United States ranges between 3.4 to 3.8 million bales per year.
Majority of the cotton produced in the United States is exported, about 80% of its production.
Commenting on the current international spinning scenario, Professor Hequet highlighted that the trend is towards finer yarns and ring spinning technology, while United States focuses on coarser yarns.
United States can do a better job of bringing back its textile production by focusing on high quality textiles, complete automation and improved cotton breeding programs. In speaking about improved production efficiencies, Kanti Jasani, president of Harrisburg, Pa.-based Performance and Technical Textile Consulting, emphasized the importance of less manual handling, sustainable practices and automation in the production sectors in developed economies.
Cotton breeding program needs to focus on length, enhanced length uniformity and strength according to Hequet. Today, cotton’s strength can reach 40 grams/tex, but efforts must be streamlined to go up to 50 grams/tex, stated Eric Hequet. He added that it is a bold goal but is possible. Such high strength cottons will pave way for the high productive vortex spinning. United States is still the cheapest place to produce rotor cotton yarns and these advantages must be properly capitalized.
Having recently visited the National Institute of Cotton Research in Anyang, China, Hequet stated that China is concentrating on high quality textile products and the commodity industry is moving towards Vietnam and Bangladesh.
Skilled labor, cheap energy and the availability of high-quality cotton within its borders should encourage the United States’ textile sector to take a serious look at revitalizing its spinning and the upstream textile sector.
Translational Research is the Way Forward
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, January 7, 2019)- Research knowledge should be transformed to benefit the society and grow the economy.
Mr. Narendra Modi, Honorable Prime Minister of India speaking to a large audience on January 3rd at the 106th annual session of the Indian Science Congress in Jalandhar, India emphasized the importance of translational research that would serve the society and grow the economy of nations.
Invoking a new slogan, “Jai Anusandhan,” meaning praise be to research spotlighted that research should not be carried out just for the sake of research. Research should be commercialized so that weaker sections of the society would also benefit.
Honorable Modi stated that knowledge developed needs to be consumed and made a clarion call to scientists to develop affordable technologies. He added, “Technology needs to solve local problems.”
These valuable points are relevant for the global textile and manufacturing sectors. Textile sector needs to diversify and move towards translational research.
This scribe has been practicing translational research for 20-years at Texas Tech University, which has resulted in a commercialized defense technology, “FiberTect.” FiberTect is a nonwoven toxic chemical decontamination wipe marketed by Chantilly, USA-based First Line Technology. A collaboration with a textile manufacturing industry in South India has led to the development of an environmentally sustainable crude and toxic oil absorbent wipe, which has resulted in a start-up “WellGro Tech,” in Chennai, India. This effort fits exactly with India’s new initiative, Atal Innovation Mission, to create a start-up culture among its scientists and businesses.
Chennai, India-based Professor Sridhar Narayanan, academic and a management consultant who has been advocating industry-institute collaborations for 22 years stated, “Scientific research should be relevant to the societal needs and as a way forward should lead to the creation of new businesses. Research leading to development in any sector need to take care of the environment as well.” He added that such translational research will be able to take care of
unemployment challenges. Low cost technologies for the development of growing and highly populated nations are the need of the hour, added Narayanan.
Prime Minister Modi called for drought monitoring and resistant technologies and clean water solutions, which can lead to novel textile and material developments, benefiting the cotton and textile sectors. The Prime Minister challenged the state universities and colleges to engage in more research and urged the industrial sector towards boosting the research ecosystem.
New Year Indian Cotton Update
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, January 11, 2019)-India’s this year’s crop may well be the lowest in a decade.
Recently, Mumbai-based Cotton Association of India (CAI) has come out with an estimate of 33.5 million bales (170 Kgs each) for this year’s (October 2018-September 2019) crop.
Earlier in the season in October 2018, the estimate was about 34.8 million bales. Within a 3-month duration, the estimate has been downsized by 13 lakh (1.3 million) bales. Deficient rainfall has been attributed to be the main reason, which has been evident in the plant sizes even in October. Plant sizes were observed to be not more than four feet in the period, when 5-6 feet growth would have been observed.
“The rainfall situation has made sure that there is no scope for 3rd and 4th pickings and hence farmers have uprooted the plant.” stated Mr. Atul Ganatra, President of CAI. Some State governments have advised farmers to uproot cotton plants by the end of December 2018, to give room for Rabi crops such as pulses, as well as a precautionary measure against pink bollworms.
Currently, there is no cotton plant on the ground in Gujarat, stated a cotton expert from Rajkot, Gujarat. The source added that those with irrigation have already planted pulses.
While the significant reduction estimate has been based on rainfall situation, spinners feel that reliable production estimate is needed in a timely manner according to Mr. S. Velmurugan, General Manager of Aruppukottai, India-based Jayalakshmi Textiles, which has about 70,000 ring spindles. Velmurugan who has been in the spinning industry for 28 years stated that wide range data fluctuations affect the spinning sector, particularly in making decisions about cotton purchasing and stocking.
Today, seed cotton (Kapas) prices in India are ruling above the minimum support price, which is positive for the farmers. Other factor that influence cotton planting in the next season is the excess global availability of palm and soybean oils. This situation may not encourage Indian cotton farmers to divert to other options in the next season.
However, views from the spinning sector show that yarn demand is not that high, which may influence cotton pricing and post-harvest sectors.
Just as a historical note, India’s 2010-11 crop was 34.5 million bales (170 kgs each) and the highest since that time has been 40.2 million bales in the 2013-14 crop year.
TexSnips publisher (Seshadri Ramkumar) wishes a safe, healthy and prosperous 2019 to all.
Cotton and TPP-11 Agreement
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, January 15, 2019)-TPP-11 trade treaty has come into force in seven countries.
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, popularly known as TPP-11 came into force in seven countries out of 11 participating countries.
Yesterday, January 14th, the treaty came into effect in Vietnam. The treaty was signed by 11 countries on March 8th in Santiago, Chile, which had to be subsequently ratified by respective national assemblies.
The treaty came into effect in Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada and Singapore on December 30th, 2018.
Vietnam’s entry into the pack on January 14, 2019 creates an interesting dynamic in the cotton trade. Vietnam’s textile sector is burgeoning and is in good need of cotton.
In the last three seasons, Vietnam is the number one importer of Unites States’ cotton. In the 2017/18 season, about 2.98 million bales (480 lbs. each) were exported to Vietnam from the United States. The export has more than doubled since 2013/14, when the export from the United States was about one million bales.
Vietnam is followed by China in terms of U.S. exports, while other major importing countries are Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan. Interestingly, Bangladesh is marching closely with Mexico in importing U.S. cotton.
The free trade between Australia and Vietnam as part of the TPP-11 treaty, will boost agricultural exports from Australia to Vietnam. This agreement eliminates 98% of tariffs in the TPP-11 region, whose collective GDP is about US$ 13.5 trillion.
According to Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, all tariffs on cotton exports will be eliminated under the treaty. Exporting of cotton to Vietnam gives additional advantage to Australian cotton sector. Japan has given more market access to Australian cotton via Vietnam. Tariffs on clothing made from Australian cotton in Vietnam have been eliminated in Japan giving more market entry for Australian cotton. In 2017, Australia’s 15 percent of total cotton exports were to TPP-11 countries. Market access and common rules are expected to enhance the export chances of agricultural products from Australia.
Mr. Grady Martin, Director of Sales for Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Cooperative Association stated, “Vietnam is a very important market for U.S. cotton. As yarn and garment operations are shifting to Vietnam, the country has growing importance.” To a question from this scribe on the impact of the new TPP-11 treaty on exports to Vietnam, Martin replied that it may have an impact, but Vietnam needs cotton. In the long run, what the impact will be is hard to judge right now, added Martin, who has been in the cotton industry for 36-years.
Will the non-participation of United States in the TPP-11 impact agricultural exports and particularly cotton, as 80% of U.S. cotton gets shipped abroad is a question that needs careful investigation.
Cotton and Tariffs
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, January 17, 2019)- Continued trade tension between the United States and China is impacting the global cotton and textile sectors.
“Back and forth on tariff discussions is problematic and it results in the slowdown of global cotton demand,” stated Dr. Gary Adams, President and CEO of Memphis-based National Cotton Council, USA. On January 16th, Adams spoke at the Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers’ meeting highlighting the impact of trade tensions between the world’s largest cotton user, China and the largest cotton exporter, the United States of America.
China’s 25% tariff on U.S. cotton affects the whole supply chain. China was expected to import about 3 million bales this marketing season, from the United States. The continued trade tensions have affected the cotton trade. Because of this situation, China may import less than one million bales from the United States, stated Adams.
Tariffs affect the general economy and it certainly impacts cotton and textile consumption stated Professor John Robinson, Cotton Economist at Texas A & M University. Cotton’s demand slows down during recessions and in uncertain trade scenarios, unlike food grains, added Robinson.
In the light of the current trade tensions between China and the United States, to a query from this scribe on the 2019 cotton season, Steve Verett, Executive Vice President of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., stated, “Trade tensions certainly are casting some uncertainty as to the exact planting mix for farmers on the High Plains of Texas. There continues to be great interest in cotton production and some increase of plantings in our northern panhandle area, especially given the very successful growing season of 2018. Currently we expect some increase in cotton plantings for 2019, but relative prices for crops at planting time will ultimately dictate how much that increase might be.”
Certainly, cotton growers are hoping that a forthcoming visit by the Chinese delegation to the United States may find a favorable solution to the ongoing trade tensions between the two countries. There are no winners with retaliatory tariffs as they affect consumers’ interest in textile goods.
Cotton Research on a High Gear
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, January 29, 2019)-New research and innovations in cotton address the immediate needs of the industry.
Today, in a meeting in Lubbock organized by the Memphis-based The Cotton Board, about 65 people participated to discuss about the present and the future of cotton research and development.
Dryland cotton will be the future in the High Plains of Texas-the largest cotton growing patch in the United States of America.
Ginning byproducts, cotton seed developments, clean cotton initiatives, developing functional cotton and quality aspects were deliberated in the meeting attended by cotton farmers and researchers.
Opening the meeting, Shelley Heinrich, Southern Plains Regional Communication Manager of The Cotton Board traced the history of the cotton research and promotion program that started in 1966 which is continuously supported by the cotton growers. Stating that the research and promotion budget managed by Cotton Incorporated for this year is US$ 82 million, Heinrich added that the research program has been a role model for other commodity industries.
With competition from other fibers and the need to increase the market share of cotton, particularly in burgeoning economies, researchers working of innovative projects met with area cotton producers to seek their input. The strength of the United States’ cotton sector has been the active involvement of producers in taking the industry to the next level in research and policy matters.
It was clear that the cotton sector was interested in promoting cotton seed as a nutritious meal. As its share in the seed crushers is nearly saturated, efforts are underway to take it beyond cattle feed and dairy industry. Recently, the United States’ Department of Agriculture has deregulated gossypol free cotton seed, which opens-up new opportunities for the seed. “We are waiting on the FDA approval of the gossypol free seed, which will lead to commercial use for feeding aquaculture, poultry, swine and even humans,” stated Kater Hake, Vice President of Agriculture and Environmental Research at Cary-based Cotton Incorporated.
Kristie Rhodes, Manager Product Development at Cotton Incorporated showcased several new fabrics that utilize new technologies such as dyeing cotton using sulfur dyes from cotton byproducts.
This scribe has been advocating for thinking beyond the yield and fiber quality issues and focus on functional aspects of fiber and textiles. A project funded by Cotton Incorporated in the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University is focused on finding industrial applications for low micronaire cotton such as toxic and crude oil absorbent mats.
Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D. • Texas Tech University • Department of Environmental Toxicology
Box 41163 • Lubbock, TX 79409-1163 • 806.885.4567 • s.ramkumar@ttu.edu