TIRUPUR: Tirupur’s textile industry is gearing up for a major energy shift as exporters and industry leaders push for wider adoption of piped natural gas (PNG). With global sustainability norms tightening, stakeholders say the transition is key to staying competitive.An awareness programme on the use of PNG, jointly organised by the Tirupur Exporters’ Association (TEA) and Adani Total Gas, was held on the TEA premises on Saturday, highlighting the need for industries to transition towards cleaner energy.
Kumar Duraiswamy, joint secretary, TEA, said the shift to PNG is not a temporary response to geopolitical factors but a necessary step as global industries move towards sustainable production. He pointed out that under ESG (environmental, social and governance) norms, exports to European markets are expected to comply with sustainable manufacturing practices within the next two years. This would require industries to gradually move away from conventional fuels such as LPG and coal.While acknowledging the challenges involved in such a transition for Tirupur’s industrial ecosystem, he said it also presents an opportunity to remain globally competitive.TEA president K M Subramanian said gas connectivity would soon become essential for industries. He noted that Adani Total Gas is prepared to fast-track PNG infrastructure in Tirupur. He referred to the upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP) regulations, which will mandate strict monitoring of sustainability standards across the production cycle.Subramanian added that global brands such as H&M, Primark and Mothercare are increasingly insisting on compliance with sustainability norms, including phasing out coal and adopting cleaner fuels. He stressed the need for a reliable gas supply in Tirupur, which employs nearly one million people, and said gas shortages have pushed production costs up by around 15%. He urged the government to expedite the PNG rollout and assured full industry support.K R Venkatesan, cluster head of Adani Total Gas, presented details on PNG connectivity in Tirupur, registration procedures, govt guidelines and industrial gas pricing amid the ongoing LPG shortage.
