Epic bets on technical textiles with $150 million Odisha investment

Epic Group plans to invest $150 million in Odisha to build a technical textiles ecosystem focused on synthetic and performance fabrics for export markets

Hong Kong-headquartered global apparel major Epic Group will invest $150 million to set up a new textiles and technical textiles manufacturing facility in Odisha as part of its next strategic leap. 

The proposed investment comes close on the heels of the inauguration of Epic’s first Indian apparel manufacturing unit — Trimetro Garments. It has come up with an investment of $100 million on a 40-acre land in Khurda district.  

As the company plans to focus on high-quality synthetic fabrics, the new investment aims at servicing fast-growing global export markets. 

In an interview with Business Standard, Epic Group Chairman Ranjan Mahtani said the company has planned to invest at least $150 million more in the state to develop a technical textiles ecosystem. For this, a patch of 20 acres has been identified at a different location in Khurda district. 

“The new investment is in the blueprint phase. Land acquisition is underway along with other administrative approvals. We expect to make a formal announcement in the next six months or so once approvals and land transfers are finalised,” Mahtani said, indicating that the groundwork for Epic’s second major Odisha project has already begun. 

Unlike conventional textile projects that primarily focus on cotton and blended fabrics, Epic’s upcoming Odisha facility will focus on high-value technical textiles and engineered fabrics, a segment increasingly being driven by demand from activewear, athleisure, performance apparel and global fashion. 

While cotton continues to remain relevant in casual and lifestyle segments, international brands are increasingly moving toward synthetic and performance fabrics.  

This is because of their durability, moisture management, stretchability, lightweight properties and adaptability across climate conditions. 

The proposed unit will be designed to diversify Epic’s sourcing base away from traditional cotton-centric fabrics toward premium synthetic textiles, including polyester, nylon, elastane blends, recycled synthetic fibres and performance-engineered materials used in sportswear, outerwear, intimate wear and functional apparel.

 

Explaining the strategic rationale behind the move, Mahtani said the shift into textiles was a natural progression for Epic’s vertically integrated global business model. “We have been importing significant fabric volumes for our garment operations worldwide. By manufacturing textiles in India, we can reduce lead times, improve quality control and capture value across the entire chain. Technical textiles, especially performance fabrics are where we see the strongest growth potential," he said.

 

The company has now set its sights on scaling up production efficiency at Trimetro, billed as India’s first fully net-zero carbon and net-zero water garment production facility. It has been designed to manufacture nearly 20 million garments annually for export markets while generating up to 10,000 jobs in phases, with women expected to constitute nearly 80 per cent of the workforce.

 

"The unit is currently operating at 50-60 per cent efficiency. Our immediate focus is to ramp up Trimetro to full capacity. We are targeting 75 per cent plus operational efficiency within the next 18 to 24 months. Though this campus has been designed with future expansion in mind, any major expansion would likely be taken up only in 2027-2028 fiscal,” Mahtani said.

 

If approvals proceed on schedule, he maintained that construction of the new textile unit is expected to begin in early 2027 and complete in record time like the Trimetro campus that was developed in only 15 months from its foundation stone.

 

"After the success of our global ventures, the time is now to give back to my own country. After visiting several states not having a significant presence of textile and apparel units, I found Odisha as a potential state. Our intent is to transform the state into a fully integrated fabric-to-apparel production hub in eastern India," Mahtani added.