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89th Foundation Day of IJIRA

Kolkata, April 7, 2026:

IJIRA Powers India’s Shift from Commodity Jute to Future Fibre Economy

The Indian Jute Industries’ Research Association (IJIRA) marked its 89th Foundation Day with a bold message—India’s natural fibres are ready to lead the next era of sustainable industrial growth.

Gracing the occasion, Textile Commissioner Ms. Vrunda M. Desai hailed IJIRA’s journey as “sustainability with a difference” and urged the institute to expand beyond jute into a wider industrial canvas, particularly to build a strong textile and materials ecosystem across Eastern and North-Eastern India. She expressed confidence that IJIRA’s new strategic direction will take it proudly to its 100-year milestone.

Industry leaders from automotive and composite sectors strongly backed the use of India’s natural fibres for lightweight applications, calling it a game-changing solution to reduce plastic pollution and carbon footprint in mobility and construction.

A major highlight was IJIRA’s plan to establish Common Facility Centres (CFCs) for bio-agromulch and erosion control blankets, which received wide applause as scalable, eco-friendly alternatives with strong national relevance.

Stakeholders unanimously emphasized a paradigm shift—from commodity jute to premium “Future Fibre”, positioning India at the forefront of the global sustainable materials market. There was a strong call to declare IJIRA as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Natural Fibres & Composites, enabling impactful outcomes under the Ministry of Textiles’ upcoming New Age Fibre initiatives.

With successful demonstrations in natural fibre composites, testing infrastructure, and lightweight automotive components, IJIRA reaffirmed its role as a bridge between innovation and industry adoption.

Dr A K Sharma
Director, IJIRA

Weaving the Future – From Commodity to Strategic Niche

Distinguished Guests, Partners from the Industry, and the IJIRA Family,

Eighty-nine years ago, a seed was planted that has today grown into a global powerhouse of natural fiber research. As the only institute in the world dedicated exclusively to the processing of jute and natural fibers, IJIRA is not just a research association; it is a "feather in India's cap" in the global race for sustainable manufacturing.

A Record of Unmatched Performance

Today, I stand before you with a sense of immense pride. In the financial year 2024-25, IJIRA achieved record-breaking commercialization revenue—the highest in its history and the highest among all Textile Research Associations (TRAs) under the Ministry of Textiles. This success is mirrored by our industry's trust, as we boast the highest contribution from annual membership fees among all TRAs, totaling Rs. 75 lakhs.
Our philosophy of "innovation with implementation" has moved research from the laboratory to the mill floor. Technologies like the Sonali brightening agent and SUBHRA retting accelerator are now industry standards, directly improving productivity and livelihoods.

The Power of the Light-Weight B-TwiIl Bag

Perhaps our most significant contribution to the national economy lies in the adoption of our light-weight jute bag technology. According to the CAG Report (2023-24), this single innovation saves the national exchequer approximately Rs. 1,070 crore per annum in B-Twill procurement.
This monumental saving is the fruit of IJIRA's intellectual labor. The same CAG report has recommended that the Ministry should provide royalty to IJIRA for this technology. Today, I humbly request the Ministry of Textiles to release these long-pending royalty dues. These funds are not merely for our books; they are vital for reinvestment into our infrastructure to further strengthen our deliverables, ensuring we remain a global leader in innovation.

Transforming Jute: From Commodity to Strategic Niche

We are changing the narrative of jute. For too long, it was viewed as a low-price commodity fiber. Today, IJIRA is repositioning it as a strategic niche fiber for high-end, sustainable textiles.

The Super Yarn: We have developed the lightest jute-blended yarn to date. This innovation has opened new avenues, catapulting the price of jute blended yarn from a mere Rs.110-130/ kg to an impressive Rs. 300/ kg.

The Vision: Our roadmap is clear. We aim to drive the value of jute-blended yarns to Rs. 600-800/kg for niche applications.

Premium Textiles: We are exploring the possibility of jute-fiber blends for textiles priced above Rs. 1,000/kg, making jute a luxury sustainable choice.

Circular Economy: By utilizing jute waste and dust, we are developing value-added, light-weight products for non-functional auto parts, such as door panels and parcel shelves, already reaching serial production for major OEMs.

Unrivaled Infrastructure: India's First & Only IJIRA is currently the only facility in India equipped with:

The ECB Testing Laboratory: A specialized facility to test Erosion Control Blankets under varying soil conditions, rain simulations, and angles to safeguard our fragile ecosystems.

The MOSH/MOAH Laboratory: The nation's sole authority for testing food-grade jute packaging against stringent EU safety norms, ensuring Indian exports remain globally competitive.

Curbing Plastic Pollution: The Next Frontier

Next year, we will establish a Common Facility Centre (CFC) to catalyze the market for agromulch and erosion control blankets. This initiative will directly combat plastic pollution in our agricultural lands and water streams while opening vast new markets for jute in the technical textiles sector.
Furthermore, with our newly established Composite Centre, India is positioned to become the global supplier of raw materials for sustainable, light-weight composites. By integrating natural fibers into the mainstream of high-performance engineering, we are scripting a narrative where tradition meets technology to protect the planet.

A Centre of Excellence for All Natural Fibers

IJIRA is no longer just about jute. The Ministry has recognized our expertise by declaring us a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Bamboo, Sisal, and Ramie.
Our breakthrough in Ramie fiber generation and processing developed entirely through our own internal funds—has pioneered an eco-friendly enzymatic degumming process that reduces water and chemical use by over 70%. Similarly, our bamboo technology has achieved a 70% diameter reduction in fibers, marking a new era for North- East India's rural livelihoods.

Conclusion: Vision 2030

As we look toward Vision 2030, our goal is to establish a National Centre for Innovation in Natural Fibers. We are ready to lead the global shi9toward green materials and circular manufacturing.
With the support of the Ministry and our industry partners, IJIRA will continue to weave a future where science, sustainability, and success go hand- in-hand.
Thank you.

IJIRA at Global Summit on Technical Textiles, Patna (22–23 Aug 2025)

Inaugurated by Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, the Summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, machine makers, and R&D institutions. IJIRA made a powerful mark with innovations, proven impact, and a bold vision for India’s fiber future.

Inauguration of the “Future Natural Fiber Facility” Center

The inauguration of the “Future Natural Fiber Facility” center by the Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Government of India, was held on 25th April, 2025 at IJIRA. IJIRA has signed 12 MoUs with leading industry partners to collaborate on advanced research, innovation, and commercialization in the field of natural fibers.

IJIRA in Bharat Tex 2025

IJIRA Showcased Innovative Natural Fiber Technologies at Bharat Tex 2025. It made a significant impact at Bharat Tex 2025, held from February 14-17 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. IJIRA's booth, featuring cutting-edge projects and technologies included:

Additionally, IJIRA presented bamboo fiber extraction as well as fiber, blended yarns and garment samples at the “Fibers of New Bharat” stall, dedicated to the NTTM. IJIRA stalls have attracted over 500 visitors who expressed keen interest in bamboo fiber and its blended yarns, economically viable agromulch and bamboo/jute based PP granules. IJIRA's participation underscored the increasing demand for eco-friendly solutions and advanced natural fiber technologies in India's evolving textile landscape.

Two Days Conference on “NbS for Sustainability & Climate Change”

Date of Conference: 1st & 2nd December, 2024
Venue: Guwahati, Assam, India

Two days International Conference sponsored by NTTM, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India was held in Taj Vivanta, Guwahati, Assam on 1st and 2nd December, 2024. Respected dignitaries were Shri Giriraj Singh, HMoT, who inaugurated the programme, Shri Pabitra Margarita, MoS, MoT, Shri V. K. Saraswat, Hon’ble Member, Niti Ayog, Smt. Rachna Shah, Secretary MoT, Shri Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary, MoT, Shri Siddharth Singh, Chairman IJIRA and Shri Rishav Kajaria, Dy. Chairman, IJMA.

Dr. Sudhanshu Mani (of Vande Bharat train fame) was the special speakers. CEO round table on new European norms and export in which many buyers of FGJB participated along with some representative from European regulatory body. There was Round table conference as well. Two days, Six sessions with panel discussion and brainstorming sessions made the entire event very interesting and engaging. Topics from automation to robotics to agro and geotech to natural fibres were all discussed by speakers from around the world. Over 300 guests from different govt departments, institutes and industry visited the programme from all over the country.

Participation of IJIRA in Bharat Tex 2024

IJIRA has participated in the recently organized world’s biggest textile fair, Bharat-Tex, 2024, in Bharat Mandapan, Pragati Maidan from 26th – 29th February, 2024.

IJIRA has signed 11 nos. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU’s) with different organizations/ institutes for various research activities in Bharat Tex, 2024, on 28.02.2024, in presence of Hon’ble Minister of State (Textiles), Secretary (Textiles), Joint Secretary (R&D), Joint Secretary (Fibre) and other officials of the Ministry of Textiles.

Practically all important dignitaries from Govt., technical textile industries and captains of jute industry have visited IJIRA stall. They have been attended by IJIRA officials and the Director. There was appreciation for team IJIRA by one and all specially on the front of its ability to commercialize developed technologies. This has improved image of IJIRA as an institution with difference as compared to other TRAs & NTTM innovation corner. IJIRA’s punch line has been “We expertise in crossing -Death Valley of Innovation”

Maximum nos. of MoUs signed by IJIRA was also a surprise to decision makers in the Govt. dignitaries. More than 200 visitors visited IJIRA stall and out of which 130 are in touch with IJIRA.

JS Visit on 8th April, 2023 at IJIRA

Visit of Mr S. N. Paul. Executive Director from MREL (Group of Mills)

Visit of Mr. Susant Agarwal, Kamarhati Jute Mill & Kamakshi Jute Ind. Ltd., on 20 th November 2023.

Inspection from NSDC for Skilling Program

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