The Woolmark Company, together with Austrade and the Australian High Commission, reinforced Australia’s long-standing partnership with India’s textile sector through a strong presence at Bharat Tex 2026. The participation highlighted more than five decades of collaboration focused on innovation, sustainability, technical expertise and the promotion of Australian Merino wool across India’s textile value chain.
For over 50 years, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and its global brand, The Woolmark Company, have worked closely with Indian manufacturers, brands, research institutions, educational organisations and government bodies to advance the use of Australian Merino wool through research, product development, technical education and market expansion.
At Bharat Tex 2026, the organisation engaged with industry stakeholders to demonstrate the versatility and performance benefits of Australian Merino wool across fashion, textiles and emerging applications. Special emphasis was placed on educating manufacturers and brands about Merino wool’s performance advantages in sportswear, supported by recent research on dynamic breathability and innovative product displays.
As part of the event, The Woolmark Company, Austrade and the Australian High Commission also hosted an industry networking session that brought together leaders from the textile and apparel sectors to encourage discussions on innovation, sustainability, natural fibres and expanding Australia–India collaborations.
Further strengthening industry partnerships, The Woolmark Company signed two strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with The South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) and The Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences (TITS), Bhiwani. These collaborations aim to support research, technical capability, education, product development and market growth across the wool value chain while enhancing the global competitiveness of India’s textile industry.
Commenting on the participation, Ajay Pradhan, Country Manager, The Woolmark Company, said India has remained one of the organisation’s most important strategic markets for over five decades. He noted that Bharat Tex provides an ideal platform to strengthen partnerships, promote innovation and support India’s transition towards premium, value-added wool textiles and apparel.
Todd Miller, Trade & Investment Commissioner, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Mumbai, highlighted India’s importance as a key market for Australian wool and said the continued collaboration between Australian exporters and India’s textile industry is creating valuable opportunities while showcasing the premium quality and versatility of Australian wool.
Through its participation, strategic collaborations and continued industry engagement, The Woolmark Company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting innovation, technical excellence and the long-term development of India’s wool and textile sector.
