NITRA and NBRI partner to explore fiber potential of milkweed

The Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA), based in Ghaziabad, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in Lucknow. This agreement aligns with India’s broader commitment to promoting sustainable innovation in the textile sector.

The collaboration will focus on carrying out a detailed genomic study of Asclepias, commonly known as milkweed, a native plant with promising potential for eco-friendly fibre production. The announcement of the MoU was made in the presence of Giriraj Singh, the Union Minister of Textiles. The research aims to better understand the genetic makeup of milkweed to maximize its value as a sustainable raw material and present it as a viable natural fibre alternative.

Milkweed fibres are known for being lightweight, biodegradable, and having good insulation properties. These qualities make them a strong candidate for replacing synthetic fibres in various applications, including home textiles, technical fabrics, and clothing insulation.

With this joint effort, NITRA and NBRI plan to boost fibre yield, set up systems for sustainable sourcing, and explore potential commercial uses of milkweed fibre. This collaboration is also considered an important step towards supporting domestic, eco-friendly fibre solutions and contributing to the vision of a self-reliant India under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.