Snapshot

• Why Tiruppur is iconic: Tiruppur, in Tamil Nadu, is known as “The Knitwear Capital of India”, contributing to over 90% of India’s cotton knitwear exports. The cluster is a USD 5+ billion apparel hub, exporting to Europe, the US, Japan, Australia, and the Middle East.
  
• Specialization: Tiruppur excels in cotton knitwear and ready-to-wear apparel, offering end-to-end capabilities — from spinning and knitting to dyeing, printing, finishing, and packaging — making it a fully integrated apparel ecosystem.
  
• Sustainability leadership: Tiruppur is a pioneer in zero liquid discharge (ZLD) dyeing units and organic cotton production, positioning itself as a global sourcing destination for ethical fashion brands.
  

Product Range

Category	Key Products
Casual Apparel	T-shirts, polos, hoodies, sweatshirts, track pants.
Infant & Kidswear	Cotton rompers, pajamas, tops, leggings.
Innerwear & Activewear	Sportswear, leggings, athleisure, performance knitwear.
Organic Cotton Apparel	GOTS-certified organic cotton t-shirts and eco-fashion.
Fashion & Lifestyle	Trend-driven tops, dresses, loungewear, accessories.
Private Label Orders	Full-package manufacturing for global brands.

Cluster Strengths

Feature	Details
Vertically Integrated Supply Chain	Tiruppur offers spinning, knitting, dyeing, printing, embroidery, garmenting, and packaging in one hub.
Scale	Over 10,000 units and 600,000+ workers.
Sustainability	World’s first textile cluster to implement Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) effluent treatment systems across dyeing units.
Innovation	Advanced knitting, circular knitting machines, digital printing, and eco-dyeing.
Export Powerhouse	Supplies to H&M, Walmart, Nike, Marks & Spencer, Zara, Decathlon, and more.

Materials & Sustainability

• Fibers: 100% cotton, organic cotton, recycled cotton, blends (poly-cotton, viscose, bamboo fiber).
  
• Eco Certifications:
  
  • GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
    
  • OEKO-TEX® Standard 100
    
  • Fair Trade and SA8000 certifications
    
• Circularity Practices: Waste recycling, organic yarn adoption, solar energy in production units.
  
• Global Appeal: Preferred sourcing destination for eco-conscious fashion brands.
  

Cluster Infrastructure

• Geographical Hub: Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu (close to Coimbatore and Erode textile belt).
  
• Key Organizations:
  
  • Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA): Policy advocacy and trade facilitation.
    
  • NIFT-TEA Knitwear Institute: Offers textile design and technical expertise.
    
  • Tiruppur Dyeing Cluster: A globally recognized sustainability model for wastewater treatment.
    
• Export Connectivity:
  
  • Proximity to Tiruppur Inland Container Depot (ICD).
    
  • Tuticorin Port (V.O. Chidambaranar Port) is a major shipping hub.
    

Compliance & Certifications

• Global Apparel Certifications:
  
  • GOTS, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, WRAP, SA8000, Fairtrade.
    
• Sustainability Programs: Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plants, Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) adoption.
  
• Labor Standards: Ethical practices through Sedex and SA8000 certifications.
  

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Basic Knit T-Shirts	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	1,000 pcs/style
Fashion Apparel	10–14 days	6–8 weeks	500–1,000 pcs/style
Kidswear & Innerwear	10–14 days	6–8 weeks	500–1,000 pcs/style
Organic & Sustainable Lines	2–3 weeks	8–10 weeks	Custom Orders

Branding & Packaging

• Branding:
  
  • Private-label services with QR-coded packaging, barcoding, and hangtags.
    
  • Certifications displayed prominently (GOTS, OEKO-TEX®).
    
• Packaging:
  
  • Recyclable polybags, biodegradable garment bags.
    
  • Custom packaging for D2C brands and luxury apparel.
    
• Marketing Narrative: Tiruppur is branded globally as “The Knitwear Capital of India: Sustainable, Scalable, and Design-Driven.”
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Fabric Testing: GSM, shrinkage, and pilling checks.
  
• Dyeing Quality: Color fastness, rub tests, and shade matching.
  
• Garment QC: Stitching consistency, fit tests, and finishing.
  
• Export Packaging QC: ISTA-compliant shipping durability tests.
  

Price Drivers

• Yarn type (organic, recycled, blends).
  
• Print techniques (screen, digital, sublimation).
  
• Garment complexity (design detailing, embroidery).
  
• Certifications and ethical compliance.
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• Global Recognition: Supplies apparel to leading international brands.
  
• Sustainability Leadership: First ZLD textile cluster in the world.
  
• Integrated Hub: End-to-end textile and garment manufacturing reduces lead time and costs.
  
• Skilled Workforce: Over 600,000 trained workers and multiple training institutes.