Natural Fibre Business Conclave–2026: Sustainability, Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosted at ICAR–NINFET

6 January 2026, Kolkata

ICAR–National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata, successfully hosted the Natural Fibre Business Conclave–2026 today marking a significant step towards accelerating the growth of India’s natural fibre sector. The conclave served as a premier platform bringing together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students to deliberate on cutting-edge technologies, market linkages, and sustainable business opportunities in the natural fibre domain.

The Chief Guest, Smt. Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, emphasized the urgent need to replace plastic and its derivatives with diversified natural fibre–based products. She appreciated ICAR–NINFET’s initiatives towards a plastic-free earth through new-age fibres and urged both public and private stakeholders to build a robust ecosystem supporting development, production, consumption, and export promotion of new-age fibres.

As Guest of Honour, Shri Rajeev Bhalla, President, Birla Jute Mill, remarked that the modern technologies developed by ICAR–NINFET are revolutionary and have a positive impact on jute production and product diversification. He noted that sustained support from leading R&D organizations such as ICAR–NINFET and IJIRA is crucial for the long-term viability of the jute industry.

In his welcome address, Dr. D.B. Shakyawar, Director, ICAR–NINFET, highlighted the Institute’s pioneering achievement of becoming the first institute in the world to develop AI-based jute grading technology. He also presented an overview of ICAR–NINFET’s research mandate and showcased key technologies developed by the Institute for the benefit of the natural fibre industry.

Shri Shashi Bhusan Singh, Secretary, National Jute Board, congratulated ICAR–NINFET for its relevant and timely technological contributions and stressed the importance of genetically improved jute varieties to enhance both quality and productivity.

The conclave featured four technical sessions on New Age Fibre Processing Technology, Mechanical and Automation Technology, Retting and Grading Technology, and Sustainable Product Development, during which ICAR–NINFET scientists presented institute-developed technologies. The release of NINFET’s Technology Profile–2026 and two technology videos were major highlights of the event.

About 104 participants from diverse sectors enriched the deliberations.

(Source: ICAR–National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata)