About ATIRA

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Genesis of ATIRA

During the post independence era the Government of India decided to promote industrial growth through the establishment of scientific temper and a chain of new national laboratories were created. For the textile industry, the government decided for a Regional Research Associations on the British Model, set up and managed as a joint venture of the mills and the Government.

The enlightened industrialist of Ahmedabad under the leadership of Mr. Kasturbhai Lalbhai and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai were the first to take advantage of this Government Policy by registering the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA) as a Society in December 1947. The Society began to work in 1950 on rented premises with a nuclear staff of thirty. ATIRA’s own estate was acquired in a Mango Orchard situated far away from main city of Ahmedabad.

Council of Administration was formed with Mr. Kasturbhai Lalbhai as first Chairman and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai as first Director. The CoA of ATIRA meeting was held in February 1949.

Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA) is an internationally renowned textile research institute for the textile allied industry. Established in 1947 by the textile mills of Ahmedabad as autonomous non-profit R&D institution the activities of the institution cover all aspects from Fiber to finished fabrics in traditional textiles as well as Technical Textiles in the arena of Geo-textiles, Nano – web technology and Composites. With extensive and comprehensive infrastructure on NABL approved cotton, yarn and fabric testing laboratories, state- of- the-art Geotextile laboratories, modern composite material testing labs, calibration lab, environmental engineering lab, Workshops and Pilot mill for prototype developments, ATIRA is the largest of all the Textile Research Associations (TRAs) in India having 8 Science Technology Divisions, 11 Laboratories, three powerloom Service Centers and a Regional Center at Indore, Madhya Pradesh. It has 150 staff both technical and supporting staff.

ATIRA is governed by Council of Administration which has representation of Government, Industry, textile mill association, scientists and Directors of TRAs.

The science and technology activities of ATIRA in the nature of R&D activities include:

  • Process control leading to better quality, cost reduction and export promotion.
  • Development of New Products, Processes and Design of Equipments and Machinery with emphasis on industry/user collaboration/sponsorship
  • Supportive studies in Environmental Pollution, Management, and Policy Aspects.

The extension activities include:

  • Consultancy: Technical and Managerial Areas in Spinning, Weaving, Chemical Processing, Machine Design, Energy Conservation, Work Study, Pollution Control, Management Services, Modernization Viability and Profitability Studies.
  • Textile testing solutions: NABL accredited laboratories that Spans a wide spectrum, backed up by sophisticated infrastructure and specialist staff, ensuring authenticity, accuracy and confidentiality.
  • Dissemination to Industry: Through ATIRA Publications – Research Reports, Technical Leaflets, Papers in Journals as well as in house own Periodical (TEXINCON), Booklets and Books besides organising Seminars, Conferences, Workshops
  • Training: Covers different levels from workers to top management in types: i) general ii) tailor-made iii) in-house.

ATIRA has three Centre of Excellence (CoEs) for Composites, Nano-web, and Geotextiles. With a funding support from ministry of Textiles, Government of India and Government of Gujarat, the CoEs have state-of-art facilities for product developments, testing and quality control in service of industry which include incubation centre for Technical textiles and Focus Incubation Centre for composites. The CoE composite is actively contributing to Indian Space Program through development of strategic light weight satellite components. ATIRA’s dedicated Geotextile office at Guwahati, Assam is engaged in sustainable infrastructure development in the North Eastern region

ATIRA takes pride in supporting growth of Indian economy by helping various industries – Roads & Buildings, Infrastructure, material science, environmental protection, defence, aerospace and agriculture.