The Future of Professional Textile Care in India

An Interview with Suresh D. Bhatia, Managing Director of SB Fabcare Pvt Ltd

The global professional textile care (PTC) industry is undergoing significant transformation. Changes in consumer behavior, technological innovation, sustainability challenges, and industry consolidation are shaping how textile care services are delivered worldwide. In India, these developments are especially important because the sector is transitioning from a largely unorganized structure to a more modern, technology-driven service industry.

In this interview, Suresh D. Bhatia, Managing Director of SB Fabcare Pvt Ltd, shares his insights on the current state of the Indian textile care market, the opportunities and challenges the industry faces, and his vision for its future. SB Fabcare operates under the brand CLEANOVO and currently runs more than 40 stores across nine cities in India, processing millions of garments every year.

1. Can you please share with us your current position/job and profile of the organization you work for?

I am the Managing Director of SB Fabcare Pvt Ltd, operating under the brand CLEANOVO. Our company focuses on providing professional textile care services in India and currently operates more than 40 stores across nine cities.

These outlets are supported by modern garment processing centers that handle over 2.5 million garments annually for B2C customers. Our aim is to bring professional standards, modern technology, and consistent service quality into an industry that has traditionally been dominated by small, unorganized operators.

Beyond building our own brand, we also aim to contribute to the development of a more organized and professional textile care industry in India.

2. In which countries and market sectors of Professional Textile Care did you work and did you gain experiences?

My experience in professional textile care has been primarily within India. The Indian market presents unique opportunities and challenges due to its size, diversity, and the large number of traditional laundry operators.

Working within this environment has provided valuable insights into how the industry functions today and how it can evolve toward more professional and technology-driven service models.

3. Could you please describe the most important characteristics and trends of the current PTC markets in terms of customer/market demand characteristics and trends?

One of the defining characteristics of the Indian textile care market is that it remains largely unorganized. More than 85% of the sector consists of small local operators, often referred to as “mom-and-pop shops” or traditional dhobis.

Many of these operators work with limited infrastructure and outdated processes. While they play an important role in the market, they also highlight the need for modernization.

At the same time, urban consumers are becoming more quality-conscious. As lifestyles change and incomes increase, there is growing demand for reliable, hygienic, and professionally managed textile care services.

4. What do you see as the most important success factors for todays PTC companies?

The most important success factor is modernization, both internally and externally.

Internally, companies must invest in staff training, safe working conditions, and efficient operational processes. Skilled employees are critical for delivering consistent garment care quality.

Externally, companies must maintain fair pricing and strong customer relationships. Trust and service reliability play a major role in building long-term customer loyalty.

5. What are your organization objectives and when would you consider your organization to be successful?

Our main objective is to drive positive change within the textile care industry in India while building a strong and sustainable business.

We want to make our presence felt not only among customers but also within the industry itself. By demonstrating professional standards and reliable operations, we hope to encourage the broader modernization of textile care services in the country.

With over 40 locations and more than 2.5 million garments processed annually, we have already achieved significant growth. However, long-term success will depend on our ability to continue expanding while maintaining high service standards.

6. What do you consider the most important future demands of clients in PTC markets?

One of the most important future requirements will be trained and skilled manpower.

Professional textile care involves many specialized processes, including fabric identification, stain treatment, and machine operation. As customer expectations increase, the industry will need employees who are properly trained to handle these processes with expertise.

7. What are key issues for the PTC companies to fulfill future demands of clients and PTC markets?

There are several key issues that companies must address.

First, companies need better access to financial resources and liquidity so they can invest in modern equipment and infrastructure.

Second, the industry needs more structured training programs to develop skilled employees.

Finally, improvements are needed in the ease of doing business, including clearer regulations and industry standards.

8. How important is sustainability / circularity for your current business performance and what do you do to improve your performance as an organization?

Sustainability is gradually gaining importance in India. Businesses and government institutions are becoming more aware of environmental concerns and the need for responsible practices.

However, many companies in the sector are still focused primarily on operational survival and growth. Sustainability initiatives must therefore be balanced with immediate business realities.

At SB Fabcare we are doing our part to improve sustainability within our operations and demonstrate this commitment through our actions and customer-facing initiatives.

9. Do you see sustainability as an important driver for (new) business or as a factor for saving costs?

At the moment sustainability is still developing as a business driver in India.

For many companies the priority remains operational stability and growth. It will likely take five to eight years before sustainability becomes a primary factor influencing customer decisions.

Over time, however, sustainability will increasingly become both a business opportunity and an operational necessity.

10. Do you see technical innovation as a key factor to enhance your business performance, and what technologies are essential to provide sustainable and profitable PTC services in the future?

Technical innovation is absolutely essential for the future of the textile care industry.

Affordable IT systems and digital tools will play a major role in improving operational efficiency and customer communication. These technologies allow companies to manage logistics, garment tracking, and customer interactions more effectively.

11. What do you see as the most important innovations of the (near) future and how do you believe these innovations will change the way the industry operates?

One of the most important developments will be wet cleaning technologies, which offer more environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional processes.

Innovations focused on water-saving solutions and improved operational efficiency will also play a major role.

Equally important will be training programs that enable employees to work effectively with modern equipment and technology.

12. According to many publications, a transformation of the PTC industry towards more customer and IT driven processing is seen as essential to be successful in the future. What is your policy to adapt your business/service model to changing market demands?

From the beginning of our business we have adopted IT-driven systems and processes.

These systems allow us to manage operations efficiently and maintain service standards comparable to professional textile care companies worldwide. Although implementing such technology can be expensive, it is essential for building a modern and scalable textile care business.

13. We have seen an enormous increase in scale of operation of PTC companies. Do you see there will be attractive opportunities also for the more smaller companies and what is needed for small companies to be successful?

Yes, there will always be opportunities for smaller and supporting businesses.

Large textile care operations depend on many smaller companies within the supply chain, including suppliers of machinery, spare parts, packaging materials, and logistics services.

These smaller businesses play an essential role in supporting the industry’s growth.

14. How do you feel the PTC industry can take more market share compared to domestic washing?

This will be a gradual process.

Changes in local regulations, government support, improved training programs, and better earning opportunities within the industry will all contribute to growth.

As professional services become more accessible and reliable, consumers will increasingly recognize the value of professional garment care compared to domestic washing.

15. What do you see as major opportunities for the professional laundry and cleaning industry for the longer term future?

The growth of the industry will create opportunities across the entire supply chain.

Machine manufacturers, detergent and chemical suppliers, packaging companies, and spare parts providers will all benefit from the expansion of professional textile care services.

16. What would you say industry (inter-)national associations should do to support the PTC industry professionally, now and in the future?

Industry associations should play a stronger role in bringing the industry together and supporting its professional development. One important step would be to work more closely with local governments, industry bodies, and businesses in order to create a supportive framework for the textile care sector.

Associations can also contribute by establishing training centers, helping to develop skilled manpower for the industry. Education and awareness are essential if the industry wants to move from largely unorganized operations toward more professional standards.

In addition, associations should actively promote growth strategies and share best practices, helping companies learn from each other and improve overall service quality across the sector.

17. What is your vision on the future perspective of the industry?

My vision for the future is that the textile care industry in India will become more organized, more technology-driven, and more professional.

As urbanization continues and customer expectations increase, more consumers will choose professional textile care services instead of relying on traditional local operators.

Companies that invest in modern processing technologies, trained staff, and strong service standards will be well positioned to lead this transformation.

At SB Fabcare, our ambition is to become market leaders in the B2C textile care segment, while contributing to the broader development of the industry.

18. What is your key-message to your professional PTC colleagues for now and in the future?

My key message to colleagues in the industry is simple: believe in the future of this industry.

The opportunities are significant, but success requires commitment and patience. Entrepreneurs entering this sector must be prepared to invest time and effort for at least two to three years before seeing strong results.

Those who are willing to dedicate themselves to building a professional and customer-focused textile care business will find that the industry offers tremendous potential for growth.