Dr. Gloy & Anton Schumann
At the prestigious Heimtextil 2025 in Frankfurt, a vibrant meeting of minds took place, uniting global leaders from India, Germany, and the European Union to discuss the future of the textile industry. The event, spearheaded by Union Minister Giriraj Singh of the Indian Government and organized by Gherzi Germany, served as a powerful platform to address the critical themes of sustainability, digitalization, and cross-border investment in textiles.
Key government and industry stakeholders, including Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary (Textiles), Naren Goenka, Chairman of BTTF, and Bhadresh Dodhia, Co-Chairman of BTTF, joined forces with visionary corporate leaders to forge a sustainable path forward.




Highlights of the Dialogue: Perspectives from Global Leaders
Deepali Goenka – CEO, Welspun Industries (India)
Deepali Goenka passionately emphasized sustainability as the cornerstone of future business practices, announcing Welspun’s ambitious goal of achieving CO₂ neutrality by 2030. She highlighted the company’s openness to innovative technologies and supply chain transformations to drive efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Werner Moser – Head of Sales, MATTES Group (Germany)
Representing one of Germany’s leading technical textiles producers, Werner Moser praised the technical expertise and reliability of Indian partners, noting their advanced capabilities in supply chain management. He expressed keen interest in pursuing joint ventures in India, especially within the automotive and technical textiles sectors, where collaboration could unlock unparalleled growth.
Sebastian van de Loo & Kai Timpe – Leaders, DMIX Colordigital (Germany)
The DMIX team showcased their cutting-edge color-matching software, which streamlines supply chain operations while conserving water, energy, and resources. They expressed an eagerness to partner with Indian firms to revolutionize digitalization in the textile supply chain, fostering sustainable innovation.
Sanjeev Grewal – Head of MEAP, AMANN Group (India)
Having launched operations in India in 2024, AMANN Group was recognized as India’s Sustainable Company of the Year 2024. Sanjeev Grewal outlined plans to deepen partnerships in India, striving for CO₂ neutrality and continued advancements in sustainable practices. Further talks are planned at the Bharatex forum in New Delhi, marking a pivotal moment for India-Germany textile collaboration.
Prof. Thomas Gries – Dean, Textile Department, RWTH Aachen University (Germany)
Professor Gries brought an academic perspective, envisioning a future where cross-border education and knowledge-sharing platforms empower a new generation of textile engineers and managers. He proposed establishing a joint India-Germany digital database, akin to transformative tools like ChatGPT, to equip industry professionals with real-time solutions.
Konstantin Rouette – Owner, Rouette Executive Search (Germany)
As a renowned headhunter in the technical industries, Rouette underscored the demographic potential of India’s youthful workforce. He advocated for policies that encourage local operations with a global outlook, stressing the importance of seamless government and corporate collaboration.
Christian Rost – CEO, ROFA (Germany)
As a leader in workwear manufacturing, Christian Rost praised India’s vertical supply chains, which enable both high quality and reliability. He expressed optimism about sourcing opportunities in India, recognizing its growing prominence in the global textile landscape.
Florian Schumacher, Fabian Scholz & Salvaraj J – Li & Fung (Global)
Representatives of Li & Fung highlighted India’s potential as a global sourcing hub, particularly as the textile industry shifts its focus from East Asia. They emphasized India’s strategic advantage in supply chain integration and its capacity to meet EU and MEA market demands, solidifying its role in the 21st-century textile economy.
Anton Schumann & Dr. Gloy – Gherzi Germany
The representatives of Gherzi Germany facilitated discussions with energy and enthusiasm, noting the synergy among participants and the shared vision for a sustainable textile future.
Key Takeaways from the Forum
This landmark event illuminated the untapped potential for collaboration between India, Germany, and the EU in textiles. Discussions centered on:
- Sustainability: Setting ambitious CO₂ neutrality targets and fostering eco-friendly innovation.
- Digitalization: Adopting advanced technologies for seamless design, development, and supply chain management.
- Investment Opportunities: Building joint ventures and strengthening cross-border supply chains.
A heartfelt thank you to Minister Giriraj Singh, Gherzi Germany, and all participants for igniting such a forward-thinking dialogue. This collaboration symbolizes a united commitment to shaping a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive textile industry for generations to come.