Overview of Embroidery Industry in India

Overview of the Embroidery Industry and Indian scenario

Embroidery is one of the oldest and most popular forms of surface ornamentation of fabrics and garments, and India is among the top suppliers of embroidered fabrics and garments worldwide. The sector is now getting more organized, with large players entry. Demand for garments embellished with embroideries with sequins and crystals are quite strong in the international market, as also in India. However, while embroidery is used in a whole lot of products internationally, the market is still an unexplored one in India.

"India is still a unexplored market for embroideries. Traditionally, embroidery is used for ornamentation of apparel, products such as furnishings, lingerie, have not used much of embroidery. This form of embellishment is only now getting popular in menswear. Studies have shown that embroidery consumption per person in the country is Rs 8/- per annum. This makes clear the huge potential of embroidery in the country, which is still to be tapped."

The size of the Indian embroidery market is slated to be around Rs 800-900 crore per annum. Realizing the huge potential of embroidery, some large players have entered the sector. Embroidery, till a decade ago, was largely in the unorganised sector, with very small units, typically with 2 and 4 embroidery machines. Today, organized players’ account for 60 per cent of the market. "The domestic embroidery manufacturing is almost totally unorganised, with very small units situated in various parts of the country. This is more a cottage industry. Most of the exporters in this segment do not have their own manufacturing facilities, but get the orders job worked from such small units."

According to Mr.V.Elangovan, SNQC, orders of garments with embroidery are more than that with prints in ladies and girls apparels. Embroidery is preferred over prints because of eco-friendly characteristics (print use PVC). Garments with sequins and crochet laces (of Indian looks) are well received by foreign customers and now such works are being done in sleepwear too. Sequins are in vogue since last 18 months and will be in for another 12 months.

Surat and Mumbai are the major embroidery centres in the country, and Bareilly, Muradabad, etc is known for beadwork. "It is not easy to operate in the domestic market, as competition is from these very small units. Moreover, the orders in the domestic market are for very small lots and very large varieties, making it suitable to the small units according to him, "India's strength lies in designing. Vietnam is our competitor, and we are hearing that China too is coming up, but India is an important source of embroideries for the world."

Inputs for the embroidery sector

Threads, the most important component for this sector, are easily available in the country. Demand for embroidery thread in the country is growing at a rate of around seven per cent per annum. And most of the major thread manufacturers are expanding capacities. "Threads are easily available in the country, but there is scope for improvement in quality. Realising the need for quality embroidery yarns, Indian Rayon has ventured into the manufacturing of viscose embroidery yarns. Consumption of embroidery yarns in the country stands at around 11,000 tonnes per annum, of which viscose accounts for a major share. Moreover, around 3,500 multi-head computerised embroidery machines are being installed in Surat, around 1,500 such machines are getting installed in Mumbai, and a similar number each in Tirupur, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Ludhiana. All these units will require high quality embroidery yarns. While viscose yarns are the most widely used in embroidery, cotton, polyester and metallic yarns are also used. However, a large part of the production of these threads takes place in the unorganised sector, with units have a capacity to manufacture 5 tonnes to 60 tonnes of embroidery thread per annum.

As for the machinery, the industry has to import embroidery machines from Germany, Japan, Taiwan, and China. "This is a very price sensitive market, and the industry is finding out that Chinese machines are just as good. For those who require 6-12 head embroidery systems, these machines are working well, both for domestic and export production."

The Embroidery and Fashion Laces (EFL) segment derives its demand from the readymade garment segment of the textile industry. Embroidered fabrics and laces can be classified as a niche segment of fashion accessories. Fashion accessories used by garment and other manufacturers include Crochet laces, Torchon laces, Rachel laces, fancy buttons, elastic tapes etc. It is observed to have a positive correlation to the readymade garments sector. Fashion accessories constitute 3-5% of the latter. Any improvement in the prospects of textile and garments industry thus, has a significant impact on the growth of the EFL segment.

Plain Embroidery : When the embroidery work is done only with threads, then it is called plain embroidery.

Sequin Operation : Sequin are small and flat (metallic or plastic) materials that are stitched in embroidery

(Commonly known as Sitare).

Cording or Coiling : Cording or Coiling is a type of embroidery where in threads of large thickness (from

1mm to 5mm) is used to do embroidery work.

Chenile : Chenile is a chain stitch embroidery operation where the stitching resembles to chain like

appearance. (http://www.chholderby.com/chenille-embroidery/)

Tufting:

Glossary of Stitches: http://inaminuteago.com/stitchindex.html

Source: http://www.sebi.gov.in/dp/khaitandrflof.pdf 

Some Images of the Machine Embroideries

Plain Embroidery

Tufted Embroidery

Sequins

   

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