Development of new Steel Carpet Loom

In order to improve the working conditions of carpet artisans who are still working on very old and health-hazardous wooden looms, the Institute, in collaboration with J&K SICOP, has recently developed a new steel carpet loom with an inbuilt seating arrangement.

A number of prototypes were developed and on the basis of necessary testing and trial runs conducted by the Institute, followed by an inspection by the Technical Team including stakeholders, one prototype of loom was found suitable for introduction in the carpet Industry.

Registration of Handknotted Carpet under GI Act

In order to provide legal protection and safeguard against the use of registered Geographical Indication by others, the Institute, after putting in extensive hard work for more than 05 years, finally succeeded in registering Kashmiri Hand Knotted Carpet under the Geographical Indication of Goods Act, 1999”.

The Institute shall be introducing a QR Code mechanism, the first of its kind in the Country, for the purpose of Certification& labeling of Hand-knotted Carpets produced in Kashmir under the Geographical Indication of Goods Act 1999.

For this, the necessary up-gradation of existing laboratory by way of procurement of different testing equipments, Development of Online Cloud-based QR Management System along-with procurement of specialized destructible labels required for testing, certification and labeling of handknotted carpets under GI Act is in progress.

Study on utilization of locally available Reeled Mulberry Silk for carpets

After thorough analysis/research with regard to quality parameters of Reeled Mulberry Silk yarn for carpets, two silk carpets (Medium/Large) were developed and the same were displayed during the Buyer Seller Meets/Exhibitions. The quality of these silk carpets was found at par with the quality of Iranian carpets.

While appreciating this initiative, thestakeholders expressed the hope that such step will go a long way in boosting not only the carpet industry but also the silk industry of J&K. However, they are reluctant to use this quality of reeled silk for carpets due to its higher cost. As such, detailed study is required to be conducted by the concerned Departments/Central Silk Board/CSR&TI for bringing down the cost of reeled silk yarn to be used for carpets.

Standardization of the process of carpet washing

In order to streamline the process of carpet washing which has remained unchanged since centuries together and to standardize the use of chemicals and auxiliaries to improve the finishing of carpets, a detailed research study was conducted by the Institute.

During the study of existing process, samples of washed carpets (Silk /Woolen) of different qualities were checking for analysis purpose just to ascertain the impact of excessive use of chemicals/ auxiliaries.

After completion of the project, findings of study were shared with stakeholders, comprising of Washer-men, Manufactures, Artisans etc, & they were advised to adopt the standardized process/method of carpet washing for best results.