Snapshot

• Why Panipat is iconic: Known as the “City of Weavers”, Panipat is India’s largest producer of blankets, rugs, mats, and home furnishings. With a textile history spanning over 400 years, Panipat is a global hub for home textiles, exporting to 70+ countries, including the US, Europe, and the Middle East.
  
• Cluster strength: The region houses 3,000+ textile units, specializing in handloom, pit-loom, and powerloom weaving. It is also India’s largest recycling hub for post-consumer textile waste, making it a leader in sustainable furnishings.
  
• Global positioning: Panipat contributes a major share of India’s home décor and furnishing exports and is known for affordable yet high-quality rugs, throws, and decorative textiles.
  

Product Range

Category	Key Products
Floor Coverings	Shaggy rugs, dhurries, mats, runners, tufted rugs.
Blankets & Throws	Woollen, cotton, acrylic, fleece blankets.
Soft Furnishings	Cushions, poufs, bean bags, sofa throws.
Curtains & Drapery	Cotton and blended fabrics for home décor.
Table & Kitchen Linen	Placemats, napkins, runners, aprons.
Recycled Textiles	Rugs, blankets, and furnishings made from recycled cotton and wool.
Custom Furnishings	Private-label designs, hospitality décor, large-volume retail orders.

Cluster Strengths

Feature	Details
Largest Blanket Hub	Produces 80% of India’s blankets and a significant share of shaggy rugs for export.
Recycling Capital	Major global center for post-consumer textile recycling, converting used fabrics into blankets and furnishings.
Diverse Loom Base	3,000+ weaving units (handloom, pit-loom, powerloom).
Global Buyers	IKEA, Walmart, Target, H&M Home, Zara Home, West Elm, Crate & Barrel.
Mass & Premium Capability	Supplies both large-volume, cost-effective décor and designer, artisanal furnishings.

Materials & Sustainability

• Fibers: Wool, cotton, jute, acrylic, polyester, blends, and recycled yarns.
  
• Sustainability Edge:
  
  • Recycling Hub: Panipat processes millions of kilograms of textile waste annually, repurposing them into home textiles.
    
  • OEKO-TEX®, GRS-certified exporters lead in eco-friendly furnishing production.
    
  • Low-energy pit looms used for traditional dhurries.
    
• Community Impact: Employs over 350,000 workers, with a high concentration of migrant artisans and women’s self-help groups.
  

Cluster Infrastructure

• Geographical Hub: Panipat, Haryana, with surrounding villages supporting handloom weaving.
  
• Institutions:
  
  • Panipat Export Cluster (PEC): Export promotion and sustainability initiatives.
    
  • EPCH (Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts): Global fairs and buyer linkage.
    
  • NIFTEM, SITRA: Technical support for textile testing and design innovation.
    
• Markets: Panipat has Asia’s largest home furnishing market, a central sourcing point for exporters.
  
• Export Connectivity: Close to Delhi ICDs and Nhava Sheva/JNPT port for international shipments.
  

Compliance & Certifications

• Certifications: GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, GRS (Global Recycled Standard), Fairtrade, ISO 9001:2015.
  
• Eco Initiatives: CETPs (Common Effluent Treatment Plants) for dyeing units; large-scale recycling initiatives.
  
• Trade Bodies: Handloom Mark and India Handicrafts certifications for authenticity.
  
• Fair-Trade Practices: Encouraged through co-operatives and SHGs.
  

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Rugs & Dhurries (5×7 ft)	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	200–500 pcs/style
Blankets & Throws	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	500–1,000 pcs/style
Cushions & Soft Furnishings	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	500+ pcs/style
Hospitality/Custom Projects	2–3 weeks	8–10 weeks	Made-to-order

Branding & Packaging

• Branding:
  
  • GI-style authenticity certificates for handloom dhurries.
    
  • QR-coded artisan profiles and recycled content certificates.
    
• Packaging:
  
  • Rugs rolled in moisture-proof sleeves; blankets in vacuum-sealed packs.
    
  • Custom cartons with eco-board and bulk palletization.
    
• Marketing Narrative: Branded as “Panipat: World’s Rug and Blanket Recycling Capital.”
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Weave QC: Thread count, density, and size checks.
  
• Color Testing: Fastness to light, washing, and rubbing.
  
• Recycled Yarn Testing: Fiber blend verification, GRS certification audits.
  
• Export QC: ISTA-compliant packaging and shipping simulations.
  

Price Drivers

• Yarn source (virgin vs recycled).
  
• Loom type (pit loom/handloom vs powerloom).
  
• Finishing (hand-knotted, printed, embroidered).
  
• Eco certifications (GOTS, GRS, Fairtrade).
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• Global Sourcing Hub: Preferred by IKEA, Target, H&M Home, Zara Home for affordable, sustainable décor.
  
• Recycling Leadership: Largest post-consumer textile recycling center in Asia.
  
• Cluster Specialization: Entirely focused on home furnishings with generations of weaving expertise.
  
• Sustainability Assurance: GRS, Fairtrade, OEKO-TEX® certifications widely available.