The textile manufacturing sector has experienced unprecedented energy-related challenges in recent years due to volatile fuel markets, geopolitical instability, and increasing electricity prices. These developments have significantly influenced production costs and operational efficiency, particularly in developing economies. This paper analyses these impacts on India’s textile industry and proposes practical engineering strategies for improving energy resilience through renewable energy integration, process optimisation, digital energy management, and waste heat recovery.
India’s textile industry, one of the world’s largest employers, depends heavily on thermal and electrical energy for spinning, weaving, wet processing, garmenting, and finishing. Escalating energy costs have driven up production expenses, reduced global competitiveness, and affected export performance.
This paper examines the technical and economic impacts of the energy crisis on textile manufacturing in developing countries, with a special focus on India. It also presents a practical strategic roadmap centred on renewable energy adoption, open-access power procurement, energy-efficient technologies, digitalisation, waste heat recovery, and policy support. The study concludes that long-term resilience can only be built through integrated energy planning, technological modernisation, and sustainable manufacturing practices.