India second largest textile machinery importer

India was the second largest importer of textile machinery after China in 2005-06 (April-March), said the 29th annual textile machinery shipments survey, just released by International Textile Manufacturers Federation.

The survey said Asia was the main recipient of these shipments, absorbing 96 per cent, or 11.3 million spindles. China received the highest number of 6.7 million spindles, followed by import of 2.8 million spindles by India.

In 2006, global shipment of double heater draw-texturing spindles (for polyester filament) was at 220,000 spindles. China was the top importer with 153,000 or 70 per cent spindles, followed by India with 31,000 or 14 per cent spindles.

In 2006, 66.600 shuttle-less looms were shipped. Asia received 59,000 or 89 per cent shuttle-less looms. China received 42,200 or 63 per cent of these looms followed by India with 5,600 looms.

Cost of spinning yarn is lowest in India among seven leading yarn producing countries, according to the report.

"In the case of ring-spun and open-end yarn, the countries under study were India, China, Brazil, Italy, Korea, Turkey, and the US. These countries actively participate in international textile trade as exporters and/or importers," the report said.

The sub-products in the report in the case of spinning is Ne 30 combed cotton yarn of 1-1/8" staple length and Ne 20 cotton carded yarn of 1-1/16" staple length. The average exchange rate applied in the case of India is Rs 44.40 a dollar.

According to the report, the cost of spinning yarn in Italy is the highest.

"The US and China also have an appreciably higher production cost than India," the report said.