The Synthetic & Art Silk Mills Research Association (Sasmira)

What The Synthetic & Art Silk Mills Research Association (Sasmira) does

SASMIRA (The Synthetic & Art Silk Mills' Research Association) is a cooperative textile research association established on 12 January 1950 in Mumbai, India, with support from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and currently operating as an approved body of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The organisation delivers fee-based testing services across physical/mechanical, chemical, microbiological, and analytical parameters using NABL-accredited laboratories equipped with instrumentation including HPLC, HPTLC, GC-MS, DSC, TGA, CHNS analysers, and UV-VIS spectrophotometers, alongside 19 internally developed proprietary textile testing instruments. Beyond testing, SASMIRA provides technical consultancy, a Scopus-indexed journal (Man-Made Textiles in India, published since 1958), and human-resource development through the SIMMT diploma institute in textile technology, textile chemistry, and knitting technology.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of professional services streams: per-sample testing fees (rates not publicly disclosed), customized consultancy engagements for textile mills, garment manufacturers, brands, and startups, government-aided diploma tuition governed by Maharashtra Directorate of Technical Education rules, MMTI journal subscriptions and advertising tariffs, industry-collaborative sponsored research, and an ISO/IEC 17043:2023 accredited Proficiency Testing Program that serves other testing laboratories. Distribution is anchored at the Worli headquarters laboratory with supplementary access through the BIS LIMS platform for QCO-mandated testing and the recently inaugurated Climate Smart Agrotextile Demonstration Centre at Navsari Agricultural University (Gujarat), which extends reach into agricultural textile applications for farmers across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Meghalaya.

Customer concentration is distributed across textile manufacturers, exporters and traders, startups, students, dyestuffs and chemicals manufacturers, farmers, and government and research institutions, with membership comprising 87 member units (80 ordinary and 7 associate) and 687+ industry partners. The cooperative governance model — a 21-member elected Governing Council plus four government nominees — binds the association to industry stakeholders rather than outside investors, and operations are led by Director General Dr. Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Executive Director Dr. U.K. Gangopadhyay. As of the diamond jubilee year (2025), SASMIRA operated with 26 employees and remains a private, non-listed entity headquartered in Mumbai.

Name

The Synthetic & Art Silk Mills Research Association (Sasmira)

Legal name

The Synthetic & Art Silk Mills' Research Association

Website

https://sasmira.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SASMIRA is a Mumbai-based cooperative textile research association approved by India's Ministry of Textiles, delivering NABL-accredited physical, chemical, microbiological, and analytical testing, technical consultancy, and diploma education (via SIMMT) to textile manufacturers, exporters, and government clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Textile Testing & Research Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Textile Testing, Compliance & Quality Assurance (CRAAAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agricultural & Horticultural Technical Textiles (Crop Covers/Shade Nets/Mulch Fabrics) (IMAOADAJ), Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL)

Keywords

• Textile testing services
• Technical textile research
• Agrotextile product development
• Textile consultancy services
• Proficiency testing provider

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai, Maharashtra

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Testing Services Revenue: Fee-based testing services for textile materials including physical, chemical, microbiological, and analytical testing. Services provided to manufacturers, exporters, traders, government agencies, and research institutions with test reports recognized nationally and internationally.
2. Technical Consultancy Services: Customized consultancy services for textile businesses covering product development, process improvement, sustainability initiatives, regulatory compliance, and market trends. Includes shop-floor investigations, quality control enhancement, and technical problem-solving engagements.
3. MMTI Journal Publication: Revenue from journal subscriptions and advertising tariffs for the Scopus-indexed journal 'Man-Made Textiles in India' (MMTI), published since 1958.
4. Training and Education Programs: SASMIRA conducts training programs, workshops, certification courses, and skill development programs. SIMMT (Sasmira's Institute of Man-Made Textiles) offers government-aided diploma programs with fee structure as per Directorate of Technical Education rules.
5. Industry Collaborations and Sponsored Projects: Revenue from industry collaborations, sponsored research projects, product development assignments, and technical problem-solving engagements with textile mills, garment manufacturers, brands, and startups.
6. Proficiency Testing Program: Interlaboratory comparison and performance evaluation services for testing laboratories, supporting NABL accreditation requirements with accreditation under ISO/IEC 17043:2023.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SASMIRA is a cooperative textile research association offering NABL-accredited testing services (physical, chemical, microbiological, and analytical) for textile materials, along with technical consultancy, R&D, and instrument development. It operates educational programs through SIMMT (diploma courses), publishes the Scopus-indexed MMTI journal, and runs the Climate Smart Agrotextile Demonstration Centre under the National Technical Textiles Mission.

Product overview

SASMIRA operates as a comprehensive textile research and service organization offering testing services (physical, chemical, microbiology, analytical), technical consultancy, and textile instrument development. The organization maintains an educational arm through SIMMT (diploma programs), publishes the MMTI Journal, and provides agrotextile product development facilities. Testing services are delivered through NABL-accredited laboratories, with BIS LIMS empanelment for QCO products and IAC certification for international clients. The proficiency testing program (ISO/IEC 17043:2023) supports laboratory competence assessment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical/Mechanical Testing Services Comprehensive mechanical testing for textiles including fabric, yarn, and fiber testing covering tensile strength, GSM, pilling, abrasion, tear strength, bursting strength, and seam integrity. Targeted at textile manufacturers and exporters requiring quality validation.
• Chemical Testing Services Chemical testing services covering color fastness, flammability, water repellency, fibre identification, blend composition, pH, and chemical resistance for textiles and allied materials. Serves manufacturers needing compliance verification.
• Microbiology Testing Services Microbiological testing including antimicrobial testing for textiles, plastics, cosmetics, hygiene products, and disinfectants using AATCC, ASTM, ISO, and JIS methods. Includes IAC-certified antimicrobial testing for international clients.
• Analytical Testing Services Advanced analytical testing using HPLC, HPTLC, GC-MS, DSC, TGA, CHNS analysers, and UV-VIS spectrophotometers for hazardous substances, phthalates, formaldehyde, and VOC content.
• Technical Consultancy Services Expert consultancy for textile mills, garment manufacturers, brands, and startups covering textile processing, product development, quality improvement, sustainability, and process optimization. Includes shop-floor investigations and regulatory compliance advisory.
• Man-Made Textiles in India (MMTI) Journal International scientific journal published since 1958, Scopus indexed and abstracted in World Textile Abstracts, Textile Technology Digest, and Indian Science Index. Available via subscription and advertising tariffs to researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers.
• BIS Empanelment Testing Services Testing services for 30 BIS-standardized technical textile products under Quality Control Orders (QCOs), including agrotextiles, medical textiles, and packaging textiles, accessible via the BIS LIMS platform.
• Proficiency Testing Program (PTP) Interlaboratory comparison and performance evaluation program accredited under ISO/IEC 17043:2023 for Mechanical, Chemical, and Biological testing of textiles and allied materials. Supports testing laboratories in meeting NABL accreditation requirements.
• SASMIRA's Institute of Man-Made Textiles (SIMMT) Diploma Programs Three-year diploma courses in Man-Made Textile Technology (DMTT), Man-Made Textile Chemistry (DMTC), and Knitting Technology (DKT). Approved by MSBTE and AICTE. Tuition fees follow Directorate of Technical Education rules; admissions via MSBTE centralized admission process.
• Climate Smart Agrotextile Demonstration Centre Services Demonstration and training services at Navsari Agricultural University showcasing PAR perfect shade nets, photoselective nets, crop covers, ground covers, vertical farming systems, and IoT-based environmental monitoring for climate-resilient agriculture.
• Agrotextile Product Development & Incubation Services Product development and incubation facilities for agrotextiles including Raschel Warp Knitting Machine, Direct Warping Machine, Tape Yarn Manufacturing, Blown Film Manufacturing, and Circular Weaving Machine setups. Serves startups and entrepreneurs in textile and agrotextile sectors.
• Training, Workshops & Skill Development Programs Training programs, workshops, certification courses, and skill development programs covering textile technology, quality control, production management, and sustainable practices for students, faculty, textile professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry personnel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Yield improvements: 18.33% in cherry tomato under shade nets, 97.22% in capsicum under photoselective nets, 140.82% in lettuce under vertical farming, up to 151.59% in coloured cauliflower under woven ground covers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Navsari Agricultural UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 December 2024Collaboration for establishment of Climate Smart Agrotextile Demonstration Centre under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). The centre conducts research, demonstrations, and training on climate-resilient agriculture using agrotextiles. Inaugurated on 21st December 2024 by Hon'ble Minister of Jal Shakti.
• Ministry of Textiles, Government of IndiacoreOthersSASMIRA operates as an approved body of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The Ministry provides institutional support and recognition, positioning SASMIRA as a nodal centre for technical textiles.
• National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)coreOthersNABL provides laboratory accreditation to SASMIRA under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for testing and ISO/IEC 17043:2023 for proficiency testing provider. This accreditation ensures international recognition of SASMIRA's testing results.
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)coreOthersSASMIRA is empanelled under BIS LIMS platform for testing of Technical Textile Products under QCOs with an expanded scope of 30 products. BIS certification provides market access requirements for manufacturers.
• International Antimicrobial Council (IAC)minorOthersIAC certification enables SASMIRA to provide testing services to international clients for antimicrobial textile properties. This partnership extends SASMIRA's reach beyond domestic testing.
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSIR supported the establishment of SASMIRA in 1950 and continues to provide scientific and industrial research collaboration framework. CSIR's support was instrumental in the founding of the cooperative research organization.
• Scopus (Elsevier)minorOthersThe MMTI journal 'Man-Made Textiles in India' is indexed in Scopus, providing global visibility and credibility to research published through SASMIRA's platform.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SITRA (South India Textile Research Association): Coimbatore-based textile research association offering accredited testing, technical services and HR development under the Ministry of Textiles; comparable mission, accreditation profile and customer segment (Indian textile mills).
• ATIRA (Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association): Ahmedabad-based textile research association with similar Ministry of Textiles affiliation, focusing on physical/chemical testing, technical textiles and instrumentation — a direct peer in scope, accreditation profile and customer base.
• BTRA (Bombay Textile Research Association): Indian cooperative textile research association providing testing, R&D, and training services under the Ministry of Textiles — the closest structural analogue to SASMIRA within India, competing for the same industry members and testing mandates.
• NITRA (Northern India Textile Research Association): Ghaziabad-based textile R&D body under Ministry of Textiles providing testing, training and eco-friendly textile solutions; directly comparable in mission, certification scope and India textile-industry focus.

Broad incumbents

• SGS India: Global leader in testing, inspection and certification; operates extensive textile and softlines testing in India competing for international export testing, antimicrobial/IAC-style certifications, and large-brand supply chain work.
• Bureau Veritas India: International TIC group with significant textile testing and supply-chain assurance presence in India; competes with SASMIRA on discretionary export testing and laboratory competency programs.
• Hohenstein Institute: German textile research and testing institution with established Indian partnerships; comparable on technical-textile testing, OEKO-TEX-style certification and antimicrobial testing — competing with SASMIRA's IAC certification work.
• Intertek India: Global testing and quality assurance provider with textile, chemical and analytical labs in India; broad incumbent offering overlap across physical, chemical, and analytical textile testing.
• TÜV India (TÜV SUD / TÜV Rheinland): International TIC firms with Indian labs providing textile testing, certification, and compliance audits — overlaps with SASMIRA on chemical/analytical testing and international buyer-driven certification.

Emerging players

• AITRA Technical Textile Centre: Indian technical textiles-focused testing and incubation facility; narrower but directly comparable agrotextile/technical-textile testing scope that competes with SASMIRA's BIS QCO testing portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-synthetic-&-art-silk-mills-research-association-sasmira-

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Synthetic & Art Silk Mills Research Association (Sasmira)