Manufacturers highlighted that brands and garment exporters are working with tighter production schedules, which is putting significant pressure on trim suppliers to deliver quality products in short timelines.

The confidence in India’s trims and accessories ecosystem is evident in the investments being made by global companies. Japanese fastening giant YKK Corporation recently announced a US $150 million investment in a new manufacturing facility in Chennai, its third in India. The demand is there. What is changing is the nature of it. 

Brands have always understood the importance of trims. Today, however, they are investing much more time in trim development, looking for new materials, innovative finishes, customised designs and suppliers that can respond quickly while also meeting sustainability expectations. 

“Earlier, trims were often treated as just supporting elements, but now brands are focusing on them from both branding and functionality perspectives. Categories like activewear and travel wear are pushing demand for lighter and more performance-based trims. At the same time, there is a shift towards smaller collections and quicker launches, so brands want suppliers who can develop customised trims faster and with more flexibility,” said Piyush Jain, Sharman Udyog Pvt. Ltd., a manufacturer of woven and printed labels, security labels, badges, jacquard tapes, soft edge tapes, heat transfer labels, plastic buttons and security seals.

He added, “We are seeing increased interest in silicone-based trims, premium heat transfers, and high-definition printing techniques. Another major area is lightweight branding solutions that improve garment comfort without compromising aesthetics.” 

Similarly, Amarnath Arora, Business Development Manager, Arun Electronics, said, “We are seeing advancements in customised trims, enhanced durability, anti-counterfeit solutions, and greater integration of technology such as QR codes and digital traceability.” Arun Electronics, a major producer of plastic seal tags, alongside a broad range of other garment accessories such as plastic hang tags, plastic and wooden hangers, monograms, sample sealers, security sealers, rubber and PU labels and zip pullers. 

Manufacturers highlighted that brands and garment exporters are working with tighter production schedules, which is putting significant pressure on trim suppliers to deliver quality products in short timelines.

Sustainability Is Becoming the New Baseline 

As sustainability legislation tightens across key export markets, every component of the product, including trims, is now under the same lens. For example, REACH regulations in the EU already restrict certain chemicals in trims, particularly in dyes, coatings and plastic components, and compliance with these is increasingly a baseline requirement for market access rather than a differentiator.

“We are offering trims developed using bamboo, Tencel™, modal, and soya yarns along with low-impact printing techniques. We also work with globally recognised certifications such as OEKO-TEX®, Sedex, FSC, GRS, and GOTS. These certifications have become increasingly important as brands today are looking for greater transparency, traceability, and environmentally responsible sourcing across the entire supply chain,” said Piyush Jain. 

Likewise, Ankit Jain, MD, Neelam Thread Pvt Ltd.(Brand TELEPHONE), said, “We offer OEKO-TEX certified embroidery threads and FSC-certified thread solutions. We are also offering tracer yarn-based solutions that enhance traceability and supply chain transparency and also working on recycled embroidery threads.” 

Arun Electronics is at an earlier stage in its sustainability journey but is actively developing alternatives. The company currently offers seal tags made from recycled materials and is sampling across a range of alternative inputs. “As material technologies continue to evolve, we remain committed to exploring and developing practical, high-quality sustainable alternatives for the future,” said Arora. 

“For Spring/Summer 2027, the trend is moving towards sustainable trims that have a premium look, offer greater customisation and are easy to use while serving multiple functions,” said Neeraj Khanna, CEO, Davin Marketing, an agent dealing in trims and accessories.  

The Business Reality 

Margins in trims are not straightforwardly higher than in garments, and the manufacturers interviewed were candid about the pressures bearing down on the segment. “The discussion is less about margins and more about survival. Increasing compliance requirements, sustainability investments, rising input costs, and intense global competition have put pressure on profitability across the value chain,” said Ankit Jain. “Even value-added products often deliver only marginal improvements in profitability.” 

Khanna offered a structural comparison that puts the economics in perspective. Garment FOB values are significantly larger in absolute terms, which means that even if trim margins are proportionally higher, the total profit generated is smaller. “A trim price is miniscule compared to apparel cost, so even if margins are more in trims it will not generate the same volume of profit at the end of the year,” he said. 

For Jain of Sharman Udyog, the margin opportunity in trims sits specifically in specialised products: silicone trims, premium branding applications, sustainable developments and technical solutions that require genuine expertise and cannot easily be replicated on cost alone.