The South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) is set to establish a specialised laboratory in Coimbatore to test fabrics used in sportswear and athleisure garments, following financial support announced by the Tamil Nadu government.
In its Interim Budget for 2026–27, the State government allocated Rs. 6 crore (US $ 661,000) to SITRA for the creation of the facility, aimed at strengthening India’s capability in high-performance apparel testing.
SITRA Director Prakash Vasudevan stated that the proposed laboratory, spanning approximately 2,000 sq.ft., would be equipped with imported machinery to evaluate fabrics used in sports and athletic wear. He noted that SITRA had already developed the necessary infrastructure at a cost of around Rs. 30 lakh (US $ 33,000) and was likely to invest an additional Rs. 30 lakh (US $ 33,000), apart from the State grant, towards procuring specialised testing equipment.
Currently, fewer than half a dozen manufacturers in India produce such garments, and only one laboratory — located in Mumbai — conducts testing for these specialised fabrics. As a result, most domestic manufacturers rely on imported fabrics for sportswear and athleisure production.
Industry experts indicate that these engineered fabrics must undergo rigorous and repeated testing for parameters such as stretchability, moisture management, softness and durability. Given the technical complexity of such garments — engineered from fibre and yarn through to finishing — testing is critical to ensure compliance with performance specifications, particularly when fabrics are imported as samples for product development.
Vasudevan stated that the laboratory could be commissioned within three months of receiving the sanctioned funds. He further noted that SITRA had submitted a Rs. 20 crore (US $ 2.20 million) proposal to the National Technical Textile Mission to establish a fibre development facility for producing yarn suitable for sportswear applications. If approved, the initiative would significantly strengthen domestic production capabilities in the high-value sports apparel segment.
