Q&A with Ankit Desai, Managing Director, Autotech Nonwovens
India-based Autotech Nonwovens is a leading manufacturer of nonwovens and advanced materials with applications in automotive, filtration, footwear and other industrial applications. With a production capacity of 250 tons per month, the company manufactures advanced materials from 20 GSM to 2,000 GSM. The company is committed to sustainability, with upcoming initiatives in renewables energy as well as circularity projects in the pipeline.
International Fiber Journal: Kindly provide a history about your company – like who started it, when it was started, etc.
Ankit Desai: Autotech Nonwovens was established in 2012 recognizing the growing demand for high-quality nonwovens and advanced materials in India. With our extensive experience in man-made fibers, the promoters came together to venture into technical textiles industry. Over the years, thanks to our dedicated team and the unwavering support of our key customers, we have secured a significant share of the Indian market for nonwovens, particularly within automotive and filtration sectors.
IFJ: Please share details about the manufacturing infrastructure and annual capacity and products that you manufacture.
Desai: Our manufacturing facility spans 100,000 square feet, and we have plans for further expansion. Our infrastructure includes state-of-the-art production lines established in 2012, followed by advanced European machinery in 2016. Recently, we have invested in advanced systems for inspection, packaging, printing, and processing – primarily to add value to our products. We are equipped to produce technical fabrics from 20 GSM to 2,000 GSM and have a strong team of 150 employees, including highly skilled engineers.
Our capabilities now extend to producing advanced composite materials, integrating woven, nonwoven, and knits. For instance, we have developed an innovative material for a newly established footwear brand, promoting sustainability. We also supply materials for shoe uppers, further demonstrating our versatility in meeting diverse industry needs.
Our focus remains on delivering exceptional customer experiences. Lessons learned from the automotive sector have informed our approach to other industries, enabling us to offer material-agnostic solutions that cater to demanding customer requirements with a focus on sustainability.
IFJ: Please share details on quality control and R&D activates.
Desai: Innovation is at the core of our operations. We are proud to have built Autotech Nonwovens as a greenfield venture, with no external/foreign know-how support, relying solely on the expertise of our team and the guidance of our customers. Our state-of-the-art quality control laboratory and R&D department are equipped with advanced technologies, enabling us to rigorously test both raw materials and finished products.
We also have lab-scale production equipment dedicated to new product development. Additionally, we collaborate with renowned institutes, not only for material testing but also to engage in
research and training projects with their students, fostering innovation and industry-
academia collaboration.
Today, we are the only nonwoven producer in India with in-house processing and finishing capabilities, giving us enhanced control over both process and product quality.
IFJ: What is the advantage of the nonwoven products that you offer compared to those offered by competition?
Desai: Our competitive edge lies in the superior performance of our products and putting our customer first – a result of the advanced technologies we employ. We consistently exceed performance benchmarks set by our customers, ensuring high levels of traceability, process control and quality. On time delivery also has been one of the reasons customer prefer to work with our team.
A prime example is our supply of printed nonwovens for the automotive industry, which were previously imported. Today, we are the only nonwoven producer in India with in-house processing and finishing capabilities, giving us enhanced control over both process and product quality.
IFJ: How important is the sustainability factor for your company? Does your company have any sustainability certifications?
Desai: Sustainability is a fundamental aspect of our business philosophy. We use a substantial amount of recycled polyester fibers, which translates to saving millions of PET bottles from landfills each year. Our fiber consumption is balanced between recycled and virgin materials, with a preference for recycled fibers whenever possible.
We are proud to be certified under the Global Recycled Standards (GRS), and we are committed to furthering our sustainability efforts by transitioning fully to renewable energy sources in the near future.
Indian OEMs are increasingly prioritizing the use of ‘Made-in-India’ products. Manufacturers like Suzuki have almost entirely localized their supply chains within India, and other OEMs are doing so as well, such as Škoda Auto and Volkswagen India.
IFJ: From your experience, what are the priority and mandates from OEM manufacturers for nonwoven fabrics used in automotive applications?
Desai: Indian OEMs are increasingly prioritizing the use of ‘Made-in-India’ products. Manufacturers like Suzuki have almost entirely localized their supply chains within India, and other OEMs are doing so as well, such as Škoda Auto and Volkswagen India.
This shift represents a significant step towards import substitution, with more components being produced domestically. Looking ahead, we anticipate that manufacturers of electric vehicles will place a growing emphasis on using recycled raw materials – which is an area of focus for our company as well.
IFJ: Please share details of your presence in the Indian domestic and export markets.
Desai: We are proud to export our products to several countries, including Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Thailand, New Zealand, and the United States, alongside serving the Indian domestic market.
IFJ: Any planned capacity expansion or new investments?
Desai: While we have sufficient space to expand our manufacturing footprint, our immediate focus remains on enhancing our capabilities. This approach allows us to align closely with the emerging demands of our customers and follow their lead in design of new products. Our focus ensures that our offerings remain competitive and aligned with market requirements.
IFJ: What are your expectations on future growth and opportunities in the Indian, as well as overseas, markets?
Desai: The Indian government has introduced several initiatives aimed at boosting the technical textiles sector, both at State as well as at the Centre, which aligns well with our growth strategy. With an abundance of raw materials availability and improvements in the quality of manmade fibers, we are optimistic about the industry’s potential.
We foresee significant growth for our company, driven by the diversification of our product portfolio and the evolving demands of the market. As the range of applications in advanced materials continues to expand and localization trends gain momentum, we are well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities, ensuring sustained success for us both in India as well as international markets.
