Agro Textiles Agriculture has been amongst the most primal occupations of the humankind and is still a major industry, globally. In this era of modernization and high technological advancements, it has spread its horizons and started using man-made, non-conventional textiles, called “technical textiles”. Tapping the potential of technical textiles and putting their vital properties to an advantage; agriculture, horticulture, forestry and fishing segments (all the four sectors combined together are popularly called as “Agrotech” sector) are increasingly using them for equipment development and other applications. This textile sector comprises of all textiles that are used in growing, harvesting, protection and storage of either crops or animals. It includes diverse items such as fishing nets and fish-lines, ropes, shade fabrics, mulch mats, woven and non-woven covers for crops, bird protection nests, etc. These textiles are driving the sector profitably by improving the productivity and reducing the need for chemicals. Some of the purposes for which these textiles are being increasingly used are as follows: Preventing erosion and paving way for afforestation In greenhouse cover and fishing nets For Layer separation in fields In Nets for plants, rootless plants & protecting grassy areas As sun screens (since they have adjustable screening)and wind shields As packing material and in bags for storing grass (that has been mowed) Controlling stretch in knitted nets Shade for basins Anti-birds nets Fabrics for sifting and separation, for the phases of enlargement of the larvae Materials for ground and plant water management at the time of scarcity and abundance of water.

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Agro textile
AGROTEXTILES
INTRODUCTION:
Technical Textiles:
Defined as textile materials and products manufactured for their technical
performance and functional properties rather than their aesthetic and decorative
characteristics
Development of technical textiles has opened up the avenues for many sectors of the
industry like agriculture, horticulture, environmental protection, fishing and many more. It
has a range and diversity of application and raw material needed, process production and
finally the application.
The application areas of technical textiles are as follows
BROAD WOVEN
FABRICS
MECHANICAL
RUBBER GOODS
TYRES NETS
SUTURES
PROSTHESES
VASCULAR
GRAFTS
SEWING
THREADS
· BUILD TECH
· SPORT TECH
· INDU TECH
· HOME TECH
· CLOTH TECH
· GEO TECH
· INDU TECH
· PROTECH
· MOBITECH
· HOME TECH
· AGROTECH
· PRO TECH
MEDI TECH
· CLOTH TECH
· INDU TECH
· HOME TECH
TECHNICAL TEXTILES
Agro tech:
It’s a Branch of technical textile which includes
Arable Farming
Animal husbandry
Horticulture
General application in Agriculture

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Agro textile
Arable Farming
Few applications where textile products are used
Animal husbandry:
This application mainly deals with milk industry. Although it involves many animals
such as cow, buffaloes .The products mainly used are identification belts, nets to support the
large udders, fabrics used for filtration of milk in automatic milking systems
Nylon and Polyester identification belts are used in cows. Textile nets are used to
support the large udders. Nonwoven fabrics are used to filter the milk in automatic milking
systems. Nonwoven fabrics are used as an under lay to reduce mud on cattle paths and trails.
Horticulture:
This area of application has much wider scope for textiles.Horticulute include
cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants and growth of vegetables and fruits. Nets non
woven mats, non woven sheets, mixed bed for mushrooms, cordage and strings used in
horticulture .To protect the expensive fruits from bird attack, trees are covered with nets.
These nets also used to for protection against hailstorm light resistant polyester woven and
non-woven are used in green house for protection from hot and cold condition. Also virus
free cultivation can be achieved non-woven sheets are also used for protection of plant.
Fruits and flowers cultivated by horticulture are in great demand some of them are expensive.
General Application in Agriculture
Under this heading, those applications of textiles are considered that are not specific
to for example in arable faming or horticulture but are principle applicable to all sub areas.
Two important properties that are required for the use of textile in agriculture are strength
under different climatologically circumstances and resistance to microorganism. In most
application, natural fibers have therefore been ousted by synthetic materials.
These general application include clothing, mud control, water hoses, wind screens, cordage,
transportation, drainage, crop covers, landscaping and moisture retention These also include
jute sacs, polyvinyl chloride coated sacs used for storage as well as transportation.
On the other hand, sacs used for storage and transportation are changing with respect to
product. For some expensive fruits sacs produced giving proper condition to fruit during the
storage proper and corrugated boxes in packaging arranges.
With the continuous increase in population worldwide, stress on agricultural crops, extensive
development techniques for maximum optimization of the yield and quality is achieved by
agro textiles.

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Agro textile
Need of agro textiles.
· They prevent the soil from drying out and increase crop yield.
· They improve product quality.
· Agro textiles protects farmer from harmful pesticides.
· Thermal protection textiles are treated with ultraviolet ray stabilizers.
· The best known products are shed netting and thermal screens, the use of which can
save up to 40% on energy in heating green houses.
· Their use prevents staining and improves uniformity of color.
Fibers used for agro textiles
· Nylon: rope wear, identification belts, carpet backing
· Polyester: Films for garbage waste for compostable waste, films for agriculture
(mulch Films), binding strings for farming, Injection moulded components for
agriculture and forestry (plant pots, trays)
· Polyethylene: soil erosion mats, Nets for protecting grassy area, Packaging material
for agricultural products
· Polypropylene: Pest Control Fabric, Harvesting net, Mulching and shading
· Jute: Erosion control, soil consolidation, vegetation growth, civil and road
construction, nursery sheets, liners

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Agro textile
Properties Required for Agro textiles Products
Manmade fibers are preferred for agricultural products than the natural fibers mainly
due to their favorable price performance ratio, ease of transport, space saving storage and
long service life, Weather resistance etc
· Resistance to micro-organisms: Great treat to the plants due to microbes are
consistently seen in agriculture resulting in damage of crops and yield. Agro textile
should be resist the impact caused by the microorganism
· Withstands solar radiation: Agro textiles are laid over the cultivated areas
immediately after sowing or planting. For such application Agrotextiles has to
withstand solar radiation with varying surrounding temperature.
· Withstands Ultra Violet Radiations: Polyethylene is resistant to radiation in the
visible range. But UV radiation leads to degradation of molecular chains. Hence when
used as an outdoor material polyethylene is treated with the appropriate UV
stabilizers. These are special types of carbon black which convert the UV radiation
into thermal radiation. Good potential to reduce the impact of UV radiation on plants
by light-absorbing or light-reflecting nonwovens (light permeability: 80 to 90% to
allow photo synthesis to take place) .Natural fibers like wool, jute, cotton are also
used where the bio-degradability of product is essential. Natural polymer gives the
advantage of biodegradation but has low service life when compared to the synthetics
· High Potential to retain water this is achieved by means of fiber materials which
allow taking in much water and by filling in super-absorbers. While nonwovens
meant for the covering of plants show a mass per unit area of 15 to 60 gm/m2, values
between 100 and 500 g/m2 are reached with materials for use on embankments and
slopes.
· Protection property: Protection from wind and the creation of a micro-climate
between the ground and the nonwovens, which results in temperature and humidity
being balanced out. At the same time, temperature in the root area rise. This is what
causes earlier harvests. Sufficient stiffness, flexibility, evenness, elasticity, bio-
degradability, dimensional stability and resistance to wetness are required properties.
Fungicidal finish (up to 2% of the total mass), which avoids soil contamination.
Techniques of Producing Agro textiles Product
Several techniques of fabric production can be used to produce Agrotextiles; each
method offers specific advantages for particular product. The techniques are
· Woven
· Knitting
· Nonwoven

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Agro textile
Woven
Woven products are produced by using weaving machines especially Sulzer projectile
weaving machines. The range of light to heavy and wide width fabric production is possible
with Sulzer projectile weaving machine. The machines with weaving width of 540cm to
846cm are available for the production of agro textiles. The nets with a mesh width of 1.8mm
to 40mm can be produced. Other systems of woven fabric production such as air jet and
rapier weaving machines are not preferred for the manufacture of such fabrics, as they do not
have required weaving width.
The woven fabric has an advantage that, it can be bonded using a special thermal
bonding techniques.
For example, Polypropylene thermo bonding is possible at relative low temp and if
correctly monitored will give a maintained fibrous structure giving the product a good
strength, flexibility and resistance.
Since low specific weight which is 0.91 can be used in mould resistance, felts for soil
protection, insensitivity to water which permits the mechanical property of dry fabric to
maintain it even in wet condition
Also light and air permeability of these product are consistently varying in controlled
manner and instruction of these product becomes considerably easier
Knitting
Warp knitting technique is most widely used compare than the weft knitting. Warp
knitted protective nets are used in different sectors, which are produced on raschel machines.
Agro nets are produced in various constructions or lapping. Here, the construction or lapping
is a way in which individual yarn systems are converted into fabrics
Nonwovens
There are many techniques to produce Nonwoven fabrics.
• Needle-punched nonwovens
• Stitch-bonded nonwovens
• Thermally bonded nonwovens.
• Hydro entangled nonwovens
• Spun bonded nonwovens
• Wet nonwovens Spun bonding and needle punch techniques are mainly used for the
production of Nonwoven Agro textiles.
The spun bonded fabric has high and constant tensile strength in all directions. It has
also good tearing strength. Needle punched fabric plant bags provide advantages over
conventional fired clay pots. All natural fibers offer an added advantage of that the container
decomposes after being planted in the ground. Even with manmade fibers the roots find their
way through the fabric.

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Agro textile
Areas of Applications
Agriculture, horticulture, protective textiles and landscaping: applications are in
woven tape ground covers, wind-break screens, frost protection covers, hail netting, insect
screens, silage protection, ventilation screens, shading and reflection screens, bind netting,
etc.
Arable farming
· Jute sacks : Seed potatoes , especially those destined for export are still packed in
units of 25 or 50 kg, For ultimate consumer, these yield are always packed in plastic
bags due to its low cost and possibility of heat sealing the bags
· Cordage: Sisal cordage is used in huge quantities for binding of straw and hay bales.
It is preferred to metal wire or plastics because of the risk that these indigestible
materials may turn up in the forage. Furthermore, when straw is used as a raw
material for a paper mill, sisal has the advantage that it is not inconvenient pollutant
as plastic material
General application in agriculture
· Protective membrane
Textile works with any type of ground and offers an equal performance in agricultural,
residential applications or in drainage of the roads. Use it to prevent bad grasses or sand to
block the crucial drains. This permeable textile under high-pressure and is extremely easy to
install
Available in rollers of 1 foot 6 inches out of 11 feet 6 inches
· Separation Membrane
It is remarkably strong, versatile, and effective. This fabric meets the separation requirements
of most landscaping projects. Used by Garden Helper to control weeds around trees and
borders, prevent soil contamination, control erosion and much more.
Available in rolls covering 107 sq ft to 5164 sq ft
Application in Horticulture
· Windscreens
These are used in horticulture, to protect the fruit plantations from winds & prevent plants
being broken. The windshields can have large or small openings depending on amount of
wind protection required. It also prevents cooling of plants from air

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Agro textile
· Plant Nets
Nets are used in growing of fruit to keep the birds away, especially for the more expensive
fruits such as cherries and currants. By drawing these nets over wires, their life is extended.
Nets from polyethylene monofilament yarns are applied
· Super-absorbers
Super-absorbers are prepared from cellulose by chemically modifying cotton and rayon
fibers. The new fibers with their unique structure swell on absorbing large quantites of water
and become a hydro gel, capable of retaining most of the water even when they are exposed
to pressure. Used to absorb water acts a agro textile for holding and controlled release of
water and nutrient. Used for Anti-condensation purpose (in form of non-woven fibers) in Tea
chest and coffee bean container to absorb moisture
· Movable Screens for Glass- houses:
Screens made of non-woven or woven polyester fiber fabric are used extensively in glass-
house. In past, the Glass was chalked on the outside which had the disadvantages of being
highly time consuming and of allowing in sufficient lighting on dark days. The movable
screening enables the gardener to adapt the light admitted to the glass house to weather
conditions
Applying the screens inside the glass house protects the plants against extremes of
temperature (cold or heat). The screen should be white for accumulation of heat. Dark screens
may be used to give the plants a short day treatment during the whole year
Polyester fiber is preferred to nylon because of its better light resistance
· Agro Bags
• The roots are protected together, which facilitates transplantation
and accelerates the resumption of growth
• The losses are limited
• The productivity per acres is increased
· Grass Reinforcement
It puts an end to muddy tracks - a grass reinforcement mesh
providing a cost-effective alternative to gravel and paving, ideal
for stabilizing farm gateways, tracks and pathways. Agro textile
for this application is very simple to install. Here jute fiber is
mainly used because after a particular years it will degrade and
act as natural fertilizes
· Ground cover
Ground cover is an extremely versatile landscaping and horticultural fabric for long-term
weed control, moisture conservation and separation. It is mainly used in planted areas. It
provides weed suppression and ground moisture conservation, whilst allowing roots to
breathe and water, air and nutrients to permeate through. This maintains higher soil
temperatures and promotes more rapid and even plant growth. It has a high degree of UV
stabilizer added to protect it from the harmful effects of exposure to sunlight. It effectively

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Agro textile
suppresses competitive weed growth, conserves ground moisture, maintains a clean surface,
and creates a favorable environment for health plant growth. Ground covers can reduce the
costs and minimizes undesirable herbicide use.
Using this ground cover in display areas, nurseries and greenhouses will provide a clean, free
draining and hard wearing surface. While the pre-marked white grid aids spacing. In orchards
and fruit beds the fabric is regularly used to maintain a clean crop and reduce maintenance
and disease problems.
Clear, woven, and knitted, polyethylene monofilament meshes to exclude harmful insects
from greenhouses and tunnels, or to keep pollinating insects inside. The fine woven screens
protect plants from insect attack (without the use of insecticides). Insect meshes can also be
placed over the openings of greenhouses to prevent pollinating insects, such as bumblebees
from escaping
· Turf protection nets
Nets are put over the grassy areas on riverbanks, dykes etc., so that lumps of earth are not
removed while animals are grazing them. This will help in minimizing soil erosion loss and
improve conservation
· Mulch mat
The mats are non-woven and contain at least 90% plant fiber (typically hemp or flax blended
with straw). The production process, from planting to manufacture, has a carbon benefit,
providing an environmentally friendly alternative to current products. Under normal
atmospheric conditions in temperate regions the mats are long lasting. However, if the
product is composted it will typically take 2-3 months to degrade. This allows for simple,
clean and effective disposal of the product.
The mats are heat-treated eliminating any pathogens that might be present, ensuring that the
product is sterile.
· Advantages:
Suppresses existing and future weed growth, reduces amount of plant care needed, water and
fertilizer permeable, conserves soil moisture; prevents desiccation, improves long-term soil
quality, moulds to ground contours, will not wash away, cannot be scratched way by birds
and animals as with loose mulch.
· Durability:
Mulch mats of 450g/ m will typically last 2- 3 years under normal atmospheric conditions,
giving long lasting establishment protection for shrubs and plants. Over time the product will
start to naturally biodegrade presenting no long-term harmful effects to the soil or organism
contained within it.

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Agro textile
· Monofil nets
Tough, knitted Monofil, nets for windbreak fences and
shading.
A suitable windbreak, set at a right-angle to the prevailing
wind, will protect plants against the harmful effects of
blustery weather - which can break young branches,
damage flowers and cause leaves to dry or tear. They can
also be used to block sand and salinity as well as reduce
wind erosion. The nets also protect against frosts and help
enhance the micro-climate (Photosynthesis, and ground
moisture, is improved by reduced evaporation and
transpiration).While special anti-hail net grades have been designed to withstand the
impact of heavy hailstorms, when installed in roof-profile above crops and orchards. This
not only safeguards the current harvest but also benefits future crops, since the woody
part of the plant are protected too.
· Tape nets
Knitted flat tape nets are available in a wide
range of densities for shade, reduced sunlight intensity,
fruit support, privacy screening and animal protection.
The nets are practical, economical and easy to install;
creating ideal growing conditions by avoiding
overheating, scorching and moisture loss. The low shade
factor nets are used for growing vegetables, while those
with medium light-reduction/screening offer ideal
conditions for storage areas, cultivating flowering
plants/houseplants and acclimatizing plants moved out of greenhouses. In the area of
agriculture it is possible to use non-woven blanket fabric that is permeable for water, air and
light and during vegetation it creates microclimate optimal for the plant development and
growth. Plants are protected against weather changes (short-term frost), strong wind, hail and
pests. Light weight, knitted tape, nets for shade and frost protection.
· Soil erosion control mats
It is desirable to control erosion permanently by replanting the exposed soil area
which is eroding. However, until the soil is stabilized, replanting is impractical, due to the
continued erosion of the soil as well as the soil's unsuitability for replanting without being
reworked to facilitate plant germination and growth. One method of controlling soil erosion
to enable replanting is by utilizing erosion control mats
Polypropylene blended with woollenised jute used for erosion control with reduction
of cost since PP cannot be used individually due to high cost with a advantage of jute being
decomposed after some time and can act as manure for grass to grow fast and PP can take
care of other essential fabric as well soil property
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Agro textile
· Agro protective garments
Dermal and respiratory pesticide expos use of agricultural workers involved in spray
operations can be fatal to health spray operation include field or row crop spraying. Mixing
and handling pesticides can lead to the penetration through the fabric by wicking action
where wet inner layer of fabrics and skin can be dermally absorbed. The protective clothing is
used to reduce exposure to workers. The protective clothing involves the use of rubber
aprons, waterproof outer garments, facemask are used. But it is difficult to work with such
clothing under hot condition. Hence detection of protective clothing can be as follows.
· Protection from range of pesticides formulation.
· Light weight and cheaper.
· Readily washable with durable property of protection.
· Good breathe ability.
The protective clothing can be done with cotton, polyester or their blend treated with
repellent finishes. Woven and non-woven are also use. Fluorocarbon finishes can provide
better protection against pesticides penetration and reduce wicking.

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Agro textile
Animal Husbandry
The animal husbandry is another important application where the textile is used for
animal related application which is indirectly related with the field.
The increasing number of cattle breading and growth of milk industry results that its
practically impossible for the farmers to consider individual cows for milking purpose due to
lack of time . Therefore in cowshed, the tail of every cow is equipped with sisal cordage
· Silos for manure
Manure removed from the cowshed with the aid of mechanical equipment can be transferred
into large flexible silos. Their capacity is about 450m3 which means for height of 1 m a
diameter of about 25m i.e., an area about 575m2 of fabric per silo.
· Identification of belts
Cattle, cows individually carry around their necks a belt giving the necessary identification
e.g. a number. In their most sophisticated, these belts carry a small computer containing the
necessary information about the animal and for instance, the amount of food it needs. As
soon as cow enters the milking station, this information is passed on to an automatic device
which brings the necessary amount of fodder into the trough; these belts of course have to be
resistant to humidity, rotting oil etc
· Udder cloth:
This fabric is used to chafe the udder before it is connected it the milking machines. It is an
open fabric, woven from synthetic yarns to obtain a good chafing effect. Instead of this cloth
a softer cloth may be used in conjunction with a brush with brush
In this application there is use of agro textiles for 3 main areas
· Identification belts of polyester and nylon material for animals identification
· Filtering of milk in an automatic milking system
· Underlay to reduce the mud on cattle paths and trails.

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Agro textile
Anti-hailstone nets
· Anti –hailstone nets are used to cover plant and fruit orchards to protect them from
being damaged by hailstone, but does not restrict their growth.
· The nets are primarily made from poly ethylene monofilaments and are produced on
the 2 or 3 bar machines using a simple pillar stitch/inlay construction
· Tricot or 2 × 3 lapping with pillar stitch can also be worked to produce other type of
anti-hailstone nets.
· Depending on the stitch density and under lap lengths, nets having varying shade
factors or air permeability values can be produced for use as shade nets sun-screen or
wind –breaks.
· The knitting technology makes it possible to process a loop lapping in place of an
inlay lapping
· Depending on end use strength requirements.
Harvesting nets
· Harvesting nets are perfect for collecting fruits which fall of the tree when they are
ripe, of which have to be shaken off the tree. Olive groves are typical example of this.
· The nets are placed underneath the trees until the harvesting period is over.
· They are use for catching the ripe fruit as it fall off the tree. This simplifies and
rationalizes the harvesting process considerably.
· The size of opening in the net can be varied, depending on size of the fruit.
· The holes are produced by varying the pillar stitch/inlay lapping.
· The nets are usually made from polyethylene monofilament.
Circular bale and pallet nets
These lightweight polyethylene nets can be used for securing circular hay bales and
for stabilizing pallets and piles of boxes so that they can be transported safely. The standard
width of the nets is approx 125cm and the weight is 9 to 15 g/sq m.
Fishing and Aquaculture net
· Fish nets are used for fishing and fish forming.
· Warp knitted knotless nets result in low energy expenditure. When the net is use for
fishing.
· They are mainly produce from nylon monofilament, multifilament or HDPE.
· The market size of these product in India is expected to increase from 14660 tones
with valued at 54 million US$ in 2003-04 to 17800 tons valued at Rs 65.7 million
US$ in 2007-08.
Cherry Covers
Growing cherries has proved an uncertain business because of their vulnerability to
the weather damage..Especially during blossom, stoning and fruit ripening period .The new
cheery cover system has been specifically design to tackle these problems: offering protection
throughout these season from frost, rain hail, & wind. The fabric is very tough with a high
degree of UV stabilization (to protect against break down in sunlight),so will provide many
years of use , and a suppleness makes it very easy to handle. The unique property of these
systems is unrivalled performance. The cover creates a micro climate (without hindering
ventilation), which gives protection against adverse weather condition... Improving both
qualities and yield

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Agro textile
Modern developments
 Root ball nets: - It is extremely important for safe and speedy growing of young
plants that root system is not damaged when they are dug up, transported or replanted.
Normally the root balls are wrapped in cloth. Elastic net tubes are alternative to
this.Whaan the plants are transplanted the nets on the outside do not have to be
removed since the roots can protrude through the nets.
 Insect meshes:-Woven & knitted, polythylene monofilament meshes to exclude
harmful insects from greenhouses and tunnels, or to keep pollinating insects inside.
The fine woven screens protect plants from insect attack (without the use of
insecticides).Insect meshes can also place over the openings of green houses to
prevent pollinating insects, such as bumblebees, from escaping.
 Weed control fabric: - Prevent weed growth naturally with this protective fabric
based on tex-R technology. You will find plenty of uses for this multipurpose
membrane. And it's breathable. Letting air and water through effortlessely. Available
in rolls covering 86 Sq. Ft. To 1506 Sq.Ft.
Hydro switchmattress
Hydro Switch can be used both in greenhouses and outdoors, for practically all types
of ornamental and forestry nursery cultivation. The result of several years of research,
Hydro Switch transforms the challenge of water management into a real competitive
advantage.
Increasedproductivity
· Save manpower
· Save water and fertilizer
· Reduce waste
· Optimize performance
Simplified operations
· Sturdy, durable
· Easy to maintain
· Practical
· Installs quickly

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Agro textile
Productive
cultivation
· Accelerated growth
· Uniform seedlings
· No root development
· Disease control
· Algae control
Versatile
Hydro Switch can be used both in greenhouses and outdoors, for practically all types of
ornamental and forestry nursery cultivation.
For use with sprinkler systems
Hydro Switch proves to be a solution that offers many advantages. To install, simply prepare
land as you would for conventional methods. The Hydro Switch mat is then laid on a
polythene layer and anchored to the ground. When used with sprinklers or manual watering,
Hydro Switch makes it possible to:
· Recuperate water and soluble fertilizers that fall uselessly between pots, to feed
seedlings and considerably reduce waste.
· Naturally disperse and distribute water absorbed in zones not irrigated by the
sprinklers, notably due to wind.
For use in sub irrigation systems
Hydro Switch reveals its true potential! To install, simply prepare land as you would for
conventional methods. A layer of polythene is laid over the soil, and a circuit of drip hoses is
arranged on top of it. The Hydro Switch mat is simply placed over the tubes and anchored to
the ground.
In sub irrigation systems, Hydro Switch makes it possible to:
· Disperse water evenly and consistently over the entire cultivation surface, for
uniform growth and production.
· Ensure efficient control of water and delivery of soluble nutrients.
· Control contamination of seedlings by the spread of infected droplets. Benefit fully
from the possibilities offered by the principle of capillary irrigation.

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Agro textile
Simple
The Hydro Switch growth mat’s operation is based on the
principle of capillary action.
Phase 1
Irrigation of the mat
Overhead irrigation
Water filters in through micro perforations, crosses the
open-cell foam layer, and is stored in the retaining felt.
Sub irrigation
The water-retaining felt is fed by a circuit of drip hoses
running over the cultivation surface.
Phase 2
Dispersion
The dispersal property of the water-retaining felt carries
water and soluble fertilizers to each growing seedling.
Phase 3
Capillary rise
When bearing the weight of a pot, the open cells of the
foam are compressed, creating a natural hydraulic lift
between the water-retaining felt and the soil accessible
through the holes in the pot. Irrigation water is transported
by simple capillary action from the water-retaining felt
through the foam and the micro perforated membrane to
the plant's roots in the pot.

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Agro textile
Top layer
Micro perforated membrane
A polymeric membrane offers more than 100,000
perforations per square meter, allowing water to
easily filter through while blocking roots from
penetrating.
The perfectly smooth surface restricts root
development and makes cleaning easy.
• UV-resistant and always dry, it naturally slows
algae formation.
Middle layer
Open-cell foam
For an area of the mat that does not bear the
weight of a pot, the foam layer serves as a physical
barrier against evaporation of absorbed water, and
ensures the surface coating stays dry.
Low-density and uniform, it quickly returns to its
original thickness even after prolonged
compression beneath a pot. This property ensures
the longevity of Hydro Switch’s dynamic
principle.
Bottom layer
Water-retaining felt
The bottom layer is a needle-punched nonwoven
fabric made of hydrophilic fibers, a product of
Texel’s one-of-a-kind engineering know-how.
The uniform wicking effect enables the mat to
store and disperse water and soluble nutrients
while limiting loss and environmental waste.
Packaging materialfor agri goods
· Nets can be used for packaging of farm product for many end uses it includes:
· Packing sacks for vegetables.
· Tubular packing nets for fruit.
· Wrapper for Christmas trees.
· Nets structures are preferred economically & also because of their high strength, low
weight & air permeability.

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Agro textile
Test method applied
· Air permeability Test measured by Shirley ( SDL- 21) air permeability tester
· Thermal Insulation Value ( TIV) measured by MARSH cooling method
· Cone Droplet Test: For evaluations resin of Agro tech to damage caused during
installation due to dropping of sharp edge or sharp pointed stones
Producers in world
Product Application company
Sawagrow For soil free cultivation of
vegetable and used as growing
substrate
Vleiesstoffewerk
Christian heinrich sandler
GmbH & Co K G
Lutrasil Thermoselect Pest control for vegetable Crop Freudenberg Ltd U K
Net fabric For Agricultural purpose&
protecting Crops from Weeds
Gebr Wunderlich GmbH
Market:
· Market Potential
Agro textile is one of the significant segments of technical textile products, occupying a
significant place in terms of volume consumption. Worldwide growth of agro-textiles does
not show a significant growth. The agro-textile market is expected to grow from 1615
thousand tones (US $ 6.5 billion) in 2005 to 1958 thousand tones (US $ 8.1 billion) in 2010.
This growth is expected to be at the average rate of 3.9% per annum. However, if we consider
the region-wise growth, it may be seen that in the developing regions like China, Brazil and
particularly India with CAGR 7.8%, there is a tremendous potential for consumption of agro
textiles
· Graphical representation
World End- use Consumption
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
1995 2000 2005 2010
Year
Agro-Textiles($USMillion)
World End- use
Consumption
World End use consumption by application area of agro textiles

18. 18
Agro textile
Market Size&Potential of Technical Textiles
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
2000 2003 2007
Year
Rs(Crores)
Market Size&Potential of
Technical Textiles
Indian market size and potential of agro textiles
The above two graphs depicts the increase demand of the agro textiles for its End-use
in world textile industry which directly reflect the growth for Indian industry due to its
overlapping interest with the other areas of technical textile industry , glass, plastics,
chemicals etc .
As an emerging economic power, India has tremendous potential for production,
consumption and export of technical textiles. The market size and potential for Agro textiles
in India is projected at Rs 500 crore by 2007-08.Manmade textiles in the form of knitted
fabrics are extensively used for many agricultural end uses mainly due to their favorable
price/performance ratio, ease of transport and set-up, space saving in storage and long service
life. Some of the popular agricultural fabrics are plant nets, sunscreens, windshields,
harvesting nets and nets for protecting crops from birds. Agricultural textiles will form 1.5%
of the projected Indian technical textiles market. Nylon, polyester, polyethylene and
polyolefin are the fiber materials used for agro tech. All these are manufactured indigenously
at present. Warp knitting is the major technology route for Agrotech.
The projected growth rate of technical textiles in the country and the awareness of its
usage in the various areas of the infrastructure developments of roads, irrigation,
communication etc, there is a visible bright light for the further growth for the agro industry
which in turns shows the advancement for technical textile as whole.
· Global Consumption of agro textiles
Global consumption
of agro textiles
(000?s tonnes)
1995 2000 2005
Fibres and yarns 741 895 1.021
Woven’s 222 306 373
Nonwovens 19 26 40
Other textiles 499 563 608
Total 1,481 1,790 2,042

19. 19
Agro textile
Global consumption
of
agro textiles
(millions US$)
1995 2000 2005
Fibres and yarns 1.927 2.336 2.700
Woven’s 1.815 2.355 2.841
Nonwovens 89 123 181
Other textiles 1.562 1.776 1.922
Total 3,466 4,255 4,944
Consumption of
agro textiles
(millions US$ )
1995 2000 2005
Western Europe 642 675 722
Eastern Europe 63 73 106
North America 590 624 663
South America 83 97 117
Asia 1,913 2,566 3,070
Others 175 220 266
Total 3,466 4,255 4,944
Summary of the market-sizing for Agrotech 2007-082012-13
ProductionImports
Export
Exports

20. 20
Agro textile
Conclusion
The application of technical textiles in various sectors and agro textiles preciously is a
stepping stone in progress of human kind since it influences productivity, economics, and
advance techniques for the better future.
The wide end use application are motivation for the potential uses and advantages of
greater efficiency using resources of land, water and labour, higher and consistent quality and
higher yield of products including environmental protection of health community

21. 21
Agro textile
References
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