Sustainability vs Profit: The Textile Dilemma

Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I'm Ashish Kumar — CEO and Wholetime Director at Sutlej Textiles and Industries Limited, part of the K K Birla Group, where we operate one of India's largest spun-dyed and blended yarn portfolios with an in-house recycled polyester fibre production facility alongside a significant home textiles business.
My career has been built at the intersection of scale and innovation. At Arvind Limited — one of India's most respected textile conglomerates — I had the privilege not only of managing but also of incubating a portfolio of distinct businesses: apparel manufacturing at scale, an advanced materials business, and an environmental solutions venture. That experience gave me an unusual lens — understanding textiles not just as a commodity play, but as a platform for adjacent value creation. Mid-career, I took on the role of a professional entrepreneur at Integra Apparels — a deliberate choice to experience the P&L reality of building rather than managing. That sharpened my appreciation for execution risk, capital discipline, and what it truly takes to scale a business from the ground up.
I am a management…