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Australia Strengthens Textile Ties With India

• By  Textile Excellence
• July 26, 2026

Australian Merino wool took centre stage at Bharat Tex 2026 as The Woolmark Company, along with Austrade and the Australian High Commission, showcased a partnership that has been warming up for more than five decades.

From premium fashion to performance wear, natural fibres to technical innovation, the message was clear, wool is no longer just a winter favourite. It is evolving into a smart, sustainable and high-performance fibre for the future.

At one of the world’s largest textile and apparel platforms, The Woolmark Company highlighted Australia’s continued commitment to India’s textile industry through industry engagement, strategic collaborations, research partnerships and knowledge exchange.

For over 50 years, the Australian wool industry, through Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and its global brand The Woolmark Company, has worked closely with Indian manufacturers, brands, educational institutions, research bodies and government stakeholders to expand the use of Australian Merino wool.

The journey has been built around a simple idea—bringing the best of Australian wool together with India’s manufacturing strength.

At Bharat Tex 2026, The Woolmark Company connected with textile manufacturers, apparel brands, research organisations and students to showcase the versatility of Merino wool across multiple applications. A key focus was the growing opportunity in performance sportswear, where wool’s natural breathability, moisture management and comfort properties are creating new possibilities.

A recent study on dynamic breathability further showcased how Merino wool can compete in advanced performance categories, challenging the perception that wool belongs only to traditional winter clothing.

The event also became a buzzing hub for collaboration. Together with Austrade and the Australian High Commission, The Woolmark Company hosted an industry networking evening that brought together leaders from across the textile ecosystem to discuss innovation, sustainability, natural fibres and future opportunities between Australia and India.

The highlight of the engagement was the signing of two strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with The South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) and **The Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences (TITS), Bhiwani).

These partnerships aim to strengthen research, technical capability, education and market development across the wool value chain. The collaborations reflect Woolmark’s long-term vision of supporting India’s textile sector as it moves towards higher-value, sustainable and globally competitive products.

Ajay Pradhan, Country Manager, The Woolmark Company, said India remains one of the organisation’s most important markets.

“Bharat Tex provides an exceptional platform to deepen industry partnerships, foster innovation and demonstrate how collaboration can unlock new opportunities for Australian Merino wool across India’s textile and apparel value chain,” he said.

He added that as India’s textile industry moves towards premium products and advanced manufacturing, The Woolmark Company remains committed to working with manufacturers, brands, research institutions and government partners to drive innovation and product development.

Todd Miller, Trade & Investment Commissioner, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Mumbai, highlighted the growing importance of Australia–India textile collaboration.

“India is a key market for Australian wool, and the strong partnership between Australian wool exporters and India’s textile industry continues to create mutual opportunities,” he said.

The participation of The Woolmark Company at Bharat Tex 2026 reflects a broader shift in the textile industry—where sustainability, innovation and premium materials are becoming key drivers of growth.

With global brands increasingly looking for traceable, responsible and high-performance fibres, Australian Merino wool is finding fresh relevance. Its natural properties, combined with India’s manufacturing expertise, open exciting possibilities across fashion, activewear, outdoor clothing and technical textile applications.

The collaboration between Australia and India is not just about fibre trade—it is about building knowledge, creating innovation and developing the next generation of textile solutions.

At Bharat Tex 2026, Woolmark delivered a strong message: the future of wool is not just about tradition. It is about technology, performance and new possibilities.

With global brands increasingly looking for traceable, responsible and high-performance fibres, Australian Merino wool is finding fresh relevance. Its natural properties, combined with India’s manufacturing expertise, open exciting possibilities across fashion, activewear, outdoor clothing and technical textile applications. The collaboration between Australia and India is not just about fibre trade—it is about building knowledge, creating innovation and developing the next generation of textile solutions.