Snapshot

• Why Karur is iconic: Karur, in central Tamil Nadu, is known as the “Home Textiles Capital of India”, contributing significantly to India’s $5+ billion home textile export market. The town specializes in cotton-based home furnishing products and is one of the largest sourcing hubs for global retail chains like IKEA, Target, Walmart, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
  
• Heritage & strength: With a weaving tradition of over 100 years, Karur combines traditional handloom expertise with powerloom efficiency, offering export-quality, eco-certified textiles.
  
• Global positioning: Karur’s products are exported to over 50 countries, and the cluster has become synonymous with value-for-money, sustainable home furnishings.
  

Product Range

Category	Key Products
Kitchen Linen	Aprons, gloves, kitchen towels, pot holders.
Table Linen	Tablecloths, runners, napkins, placemats.
Living Room Furnishings	Cushion covers, throws, curtains, rugs.
Bed Linen & Bath Linen	Bedsheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, towels.
Floor & Decorative Textiles	Cotton rugs, dhurries, poufs, wall hangings.
Made-Ups	Fabric-based storage baskets, organizers, covers.
Custom Projects	Private-label and sustainable textile collections for global buyers.

Cluster Strengths

Feature	Details
Production Scale	Over 500 textile export houses, 3,000+ weaving units, and 100,000+ skilled workers.
End-to-End Manufacturing	Spinning, weaving, dyeing, printing, stitching, finishing, and packaging.
Design Versatility	Traditional Jacquard and dobby weaving alongside modern digital printing and embroidery.
Export Leadership	Supplies to IKEA, Walmart, Target, Crate & Barrel, Zara Home, H&M Home.
Sustainability Focus	Increasing adoption of organic cotton, recycled fibers, and eco-friendly packaging.

Materials & Sustainability

• Materials: 100% cotton, linen, organic cotton, recycled cotton, jute blends, bamboo fibers.
  
• Eco Certifications:
  
  • GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for organic cotton.
    
  • OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 for chemical safety.
    
  • SA8000, BSCI, Sedex for ethical compliance.
    
• Circularity: Karur is pioneering zero-waste production, fabric scrap upcycling, and water-saving dyeing.
  
• Social Impact: Provides employment to women-led self-help groups and rural artisan networks.
  

Cluster Infrastructure

• Geographical Hub: Karur, Tamil Nadu (near Tiruchirappalli airport and ports at Tuticorin and Chennai).
  
• Institutions:
  
  • Karur Textile Cluster Consortium (KTCC): Collective export promotion body.
    
  • Texvalley & Trade Centers: Central hubs for fabric sourcing.
    
  • Design Support: NIFT and SITRA collaboration for trend forecasting and technical innovation.
    
• Export Gateways: Tuticorin Port, Chennai Port, and Coimbatore ICD for container shipments.
  

Compliance & Certifications

• Global Standards: GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, ISO 9001:2015, Fairtrade, SA8000.
  
• Sustainability Programs: Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), ZLD dyeing units, sustainable packaging initiatives.
  
• Handloom & Powerloom Mark: For authenticity of weaving.
  

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Kitchen & Table Linen	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	500–1,000 pcs/style
Cushion Covers & Curtains	10–14 days	6–8 weeks	500–1,000 pcs/style
Bed Linen & Duvet Covers	2 weeks	8–10 weeks	500+ sets/style
Rugs, Poufs & Decor Items	2–3 weeks	8–10 weeks	Custom Orders

Branding & Packaging

• Branding:
  
  • Private-label solutions with QR-coded tags, barcodes, and care labels.
    
  • Artisan stories and eco-certification branding.
    
• Packaging:
  
  • Recyclable cartons, biodegradable bags, and fabric wraps.
    
  • Compact export packaging for cost optimization.
    
• Marketing Narrative: Branded as “Karur: Global Hub for Affordable, Ethical Home Furnishings.”
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Fabric Testing: Shrinkage, GSM, and tensile strength.
  
• Color Fastness: Wash, rub, and light exposure tests.
  
• Stitching QC: Seam strength, thread count validation.
  
• Export Packaging QC: ISTA-compliant carton testing for long-distance shipping.
  

Price Drivers

• Fabric type (organic vs regular cotton, linen, blends).
  
• Weaving complexity (jacquard, dobby, embroidery, or digital prints).
  
• Eco-certifications and ethical compliance audits.
  
• Order volume and private-label customization.
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• Global Brand Trust: Supplies to the world’s leading retailers.
  
• Cluster Specialization: Dedicated solely to home furnishings and made-ups.
  
• Sustainability Leadership: Organic cotton, BCI cotton, recycled yarn initiatives.
  
• Skilled Workforce: Over a century-old weaving tradition blended with modern manufacturing.