Domestic technical textiles Industry Segment-wise consumption of ...

fabric
Quantity
95 million sq m
or 31,500 MT
140 million sq m
or 46,421 MT
Value Rs. 175 crore Rs. 258 crore
Key manufacturers of flex for hoardings/signages
Source: Industry survey, IMaCS Analysis
SRF Limited, Entermonde Polycoaters and Centannial Fabrics were the key manufacturers of flex in
India. However, because of increasing competition from cheap Chinese imports the companies have
stopped manufacturing flex since last four to five years. At present, the domestic demand of this
fabric is largely met through imports, primarily from China. There are a few producers (like Delhi
Tirpal House, etc.) who cater to around 5% of the domestic demand.
Imports and Exports of flex for hoardings/signages
The import figure of flex for hoardings/signages is as given below:-
HS Code Description
39204900, 39203090,
39205919, 39209999,
39199090, 39205911,
39199090*
FLEX BANNER (FRONT-
LIT OR BACK-LIT),
INKJET MEDIA FOR
BANNERS, PVC SELF-
ADHESIVE VINLY FOR
SIGNAGES
Imports Imports
(in Rs. crore)
2007-08(E) 2007-08(E)
Around 90
million sq m or
30,000 MT
~ Rs. 160 crore
Around 0.5
59031090, 59032090 BANNER FLEX
million sq m or ~ Rs. 1 crore
125 MT
Source: IBIS, IMaCS Analysis
* In addition, flex is also imported in small amounts under the HS codes 39201019, 39219029,
39209919, 39219010, 39269099, 39205112, 39219099, 39042110, 39232990, 39209939,
39211900, 39211200 (included in the imports quantity and value above)
Almost 80-90% of the flex is imported from China followed by around 10-15% from Korea. A small
amount of flex is also imported from UAE and Taiwan.
The exports of flex from India are negligible.
Manufacturing process and type of raw material
The process of manufacturing flex involves coating the base fabric with PVC emulsion by either dip
or knife roll method followed by drying and curing. Drying and curing of the chemicals applied to the
substrate is accomplished by means of heat wherein the fabric is passed through an oven with
continuous circulation of hot air.