NEHHDC launches kargest Eri Silk Spinning Mill in Northeast India to boost sustainable textile production, employment, and local development with OEKO-TEX® certification.
The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) has inaugurated the largest Eri Silk Spinning Mill in Northeast India.
Located at the Integrated Textile Park in Mushalpur, Assam, the mill was established with an investment of Rs 14.92 crore. Spanning 12,916 sq ft and equipped with 960 spindles, the facility has a daily production capacity of 461 kg. It was officially inaugurated by Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member (CEM), Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
The state-of-the-art mill will provide direct employment to 375 individuals and indirectly support approximately 50,000 families. To meet its production needs, the facility requires 230 metric tons of Eri cocoons annually. Advanced machinery, including degumming units, hydro extractors, hot air dryers, pupa riders, cocoon openers, fiber cutters, balers, cheese and cone winders, TFO units, and reeling equipment, has been installed to ensure high-quality output.
Often referred to as ‘peace silk’ due to its cruelty-free extraction process, Eri silk is gaining popularity for its eco-friendly attributes. With the growing global demand for sustainable textiles, Eri silk is well-positioned to cater to these preferences. The mill’s primary objectives are to boost local cocoon production, enhance value through spinning and weaving, and create significant employment opportunities for the local community.
Highlighting the mill’s role in curbing the export of unprocessed Eri silk cocoons from the Northeast, Brigadier RK Singh (Retd), Managing Director, NEHHDC, says, by producing high-quality Eri yarn in cone and hank forms, the facility will improve price realization and meet the demand for dyed yarn in the handloom sector across all eight Northeastern states.
Bidyut Bikash Rajkonwar, Chief Operating Officer, states, NEHHDC earned the prestigious OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification for Eri Silk from Germany in 2024. Verifying the silk’s safety and sustainability, this certification reinforces the mill’s commitment to quality and positions it as a vital contributor to the region’s economic and social development.
