A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibers often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibers of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands. Textiles are formed by weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting, or pressing fibers together (felt). The words fabric and cloth are used in textile assembly trades (such as tailoring and dressmaking) as synonyms for textile. However, there are subtle differences in these terms in specialized usage. Textile refers to any material made of interlacing fibers. Fabric refers to any material made through weaving, knitting, spreading, crocheting, or bonding that may be used in production of further goods (garments, etc.). Cloth may be used synonymously with fabric but often refers to a finished piece of fabric used for a specific purpose (e.g., table cloth). Uses Textiles have an assortment of uses, the most common of which are for clothing and containers such as bags and baskets. In the household, they are used in carpeting, upholstered furnishings, window shades, towels, covering for tables, beds, and other flat surfaces, and in art. In the workplace, they are used in industrial and scientific processes such as filtering. Miscellaneous uses include flags, backpacks, tents, nets, handkerchiefs, cleaning rags, transportation devices such as balloons, kites, sails, and parachutes, in addition to strengthening in composite materials such as fiberglass and industrial geo-textiles. Children can learn using textiles to make collages, sew, quilt, and toys. Textiles used for industrial purposes, and chosen for characteristics other than their appearance, are commonly referred to as technical textiles. Technical textiles include textile structures for automotive applications, medical textiles (e.g. implants), geo-textiles (reinforcement of embankments), agro textiles (textiles for crop protection), protective clothing (e.g. against heat and radiation for fire fighter clothing, against molten metals for welders, stab protection, and bullet proof vests). Market Survey Cotton Textiles & Readymade Garments The textile industry occupies a leading position in the hierarchy of the Indian manufacturing industry. It was estimated to contribute 14% to industrial output, 4% to GDP and about 11% to India's export earnings. Besides, it provides direct employment to over 35 mn people and is the second biggest employer. Its direct linkages with the rural economy, being dependent on fibre crops, is also closely linked with diverse crafts, such as those using cotton, wood and silk and handlooms employing millions of farmers and craftsmen in rural and semi-urban areas. In the global context, the industry accounts for 61% of loomage, 22% of spindle age, 12% of the production of textile fibres and yarn, and 25% share in the total world trade of cotton yarn. The industry is made up of small-scale, non-integrated spinning, weaving, finishing and apparel-making units as well integrated composite mills. Of the nearly 2700 units engaged in spinning yarns, 1135 are small scale. The weaving units numbering 4.8 mn have only 10,000 units in the organized sector, while the rest are engaged in handlooms (3.9 mn) and power looms (1.8 mn). Of the 3,300 processing units, nearly 2,100 are independent small units, while the fabricators of garments number 77,000 small scale units. The cumulative production of cotton fabrics from all sectors has increased from 19.8 bn sq mt in 2001-02 to over 28.5 bn sq mt. in 2007-08. This point to a healthy 6.4% annual growth during the period. In the three year period, coinciding with removal of quotas and the liberalisation of export trade, the increase has been more marked at close to 11.5% per annum. Compared with the industry in other countries the Indian textile industry is endowed with some inherent advantages, such as abundance of raw material and cheap labour. As a result, India is the second largest cotton trader after the USA, having the largest area (9 mn hectare) under it. The government has set a target to attract more than USD 8 bn (Rs 400 bn) foreign direct investment (FDI) in textiles and garments sector over the next 5 year period. It has targeted Europe, the US, and China as potential investors. It will attract leading equity funds and foreign banks to invest in the domestic textile sector. It will also attract foreign designer houses and garment manufacturers, under its plan. For setting up textile units through public-private partnership, a scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) has been launched to provide world class infrastructure facilities. Besides this, 50 textile parks are being established to enhance manufacturing capacity and increase the industry's cost competitiveness. The Government of Bihar has announced its plans to establish two textile parks in the state. The first one, Vikramshila Textile Park, is being set at a cost of Rs 1.2 bn and the second one, Angh Pradesh Handloom Park, at a cost of Rs 250 mn. The two together are expected to attract investments of over Rs 6 bn. The readymade garment industry in India owes its genesis to the emergence of a highly profitable market for exports. The cue was enough for Indian enterprises to foray into the domestic market for readymade garments. The export surpluses and rejects fuelled the emergence of a domestic market. This steadily led to the entry of foreign brands, either through their direct entry or through joint ventures. This was facilitated by the changes in the lifestyles of the modern Indian consumers. With the rising tailoring costs and relatively low prices of standardised products, the Indian consumer increasingly took to ready-mades. In the past, the readymade market remained confined mainly to baby dresses and small manila-shirts and dress shirts. Now it has extended to trousers, suits, lady dresses and, of course, fashion garments for men and women. Franchised boutiques have been established as tools for brand and image building. The Indian clothing market for readymade garments is estimated at over Rs 1000 bn with men's wear segment accounting for 46%, while the shares of women's and kids' clothing are pegged at 36% and 17%, respectively. The Indian branded garment market, which is estimated at over Rs 200 bn, accounts for over 26% of readymade market. Following the entry of several new brands, the branded segment has grown at 25% annually. This represents a shift from unbranded to the branded segment. Few Major Players are as under:- A K C Synthetics Ltd. Akashganga Textiles Mills Ltd. Ankita Knit Wear Ltd. Bhaskar Industries Ltd. Bhungani Synthetics Pvt. Ltd. Exotica Exports (India) Ltd. Jai Bharat Synthetics Ltd. Kayel Syntex Ltd. Khator Fiber & Fabrics Ltd. Krishna Knitwear Technology Ltd. Mafatlal Fine Spg. & Mfg. Co. Ltd. Maruti Cottex Ltd. Minaxi Textiles Ltd. Om Shanti Satins Ltd. Palav Synthetics Pvt. Ltd. Shree Navdurga Cotton & Yarn Co. Ltd.