Ministry unveils scientific model to recycle ‘retired’ national flags

A new scientific model has been developed under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) for the recycling of ‘retired’ national flags, the Textiles Ministry has said in a statement.

Introduced under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), the new model aims to ensure that worn-out Tricolours are processed in a respectful and scientifically approved manner.

According to the ministry, the model has been developed through a project that led to the setting up of the Atal Centre of Textile Recycling and Sustainability at Panipat under IIT-Delhi.

The centre focuses on developing technologies for textile waste management and is working with industry partners to put the new system into practice. A demonstration of the model will take place in Panipat on November 28, organised by the Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). The event will showcase the recycling technologies and bring together industry representatives, government bodies and experts working in technical textiles.

“For the first time in India, a structured and scientifically sound process has been introduced for the dignified recycling of retired national flags, the ministry said in a statement.

“Implemented by industry partner, the project ensures that the Tricolour’s fabric and structural integrity are either preserved or responsibly repurposed without compromising its dignity,” it added.

Along with the flag recycling initiative, the NTTM has also supported the Aramid Fibre Recycling Programme. Aramid fibres are high-performance materials used in defence, aerospace and protective clothing. These fibres are difficult to recycle through traditional methods.

The new programme has developed ways to process aramid waste and make it usable for industry applications, the textile ministry said.

The ministry also added that several companies in the technical textiles sector have already started adopting the solutions developed through this project and this is expected to help reduce waste from defence-grade materials and improve resource efficiency in the sector.

The National Technical Textiles Mission was launched to support research, innovation and commercialisation of new technologies in the field of technical textiles.