The Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA), Ghaziabad, has signed an MoU with the CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, to explore milkweed (Asclepias) as a sustainable natural fibre for textiles. The collaboration supports India’s push for eco-friendly innovation in the textile sector.

The MoU was announced in the presence of Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, who reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting indigenous and environmentally responsible alternatives, Apparel Resources India reported.

The joint study will focus on genomic analysis of the plant to understand its fibre structure and explore its use as a substitute for synthetic materials.

Milkweed is known for being lightweight, biodegradable, and thermally insulating—making it a promising option for applications in home furnishings, technical textiles, and insulation. However, it hasn’t yet been widely adopted in large-scale manufacturing.

The NITRA-NBRI partnership aims to improve fibre yield, develop sustainable harvesting practices, and explore commercially viable uses. Both institutions believe the project could help build an alternative raw material base for the Indian textile industry.

The initiative is also being seen as a step toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat, reducing reliance on imported synthetics and promoting domestic innovation. It’s expected to boost environmental sustainability and economic resilience in textile production.