In the fast-paced world of textiles, few individuals embody the spirit of innovation and leadership quite like Nalantha De Alwis, Chief Innovations Officer at Jiaxing Huayan Elastic Manufacturing Co., Ltd. With a diverse background bridging electronics and technical textiles, he has carved out a remarkable career, becoming a key player in both industries.
Nalantha began his journey in 2001 as an electronic engineer at a leading narrow fabric company. His initial role focused on leveraging his technical skills to design innovative jacquard weaving patterns and troubleshoot electronic controller issues. On his first day, he encountered a term that would shape his future: “yarn.” While familiar with threads, the multitude of yarn types was new to him. Recognizing the importance of understanding textiles, he took it upon himself to bridge this knowledge gap. Enrolling in textile extension courses at the University of Moratuwa ignited a passion that would steer his career trajectory and deepen his understanding of textiles in both theory and practice.
Driven by this newfound enthusiasm, Nalantha pursued a degree in Applied Science in Textile Technology from Royal Melbourne University in Australia. He further bolstered his expertise with Royal Charter qualifications from the Textile Institute in the UK, alongside his electronic engineering credentials. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for a career marked by continuous learning, exploration, and a devotion to excellence.
Throughout his career, Nalantha has achieved some of the highest qualifications in the textile industry, specializing in niche areas such as color theory, textile chemistry, polymer science, and surface morphology. His passion for innovation has not only fueled his academic pursuits but also propelled him to the forefront of innovation in textiles. Whether investigating novel cleaning techniques, exploring biodegradable materials, or alternative working methods, his eagerness to experiment has led to breakthroughs across multiple sectors and set standards in textile development.
Colleagues often turn to him for solutions, knowing he approaches challenges with a problem-solving mindset that transcends textiles. Nalantha has successfully tackled issues related to electronics and mechanical devices, exemplifying his belief that practical experience is as vital as academic knowledge. His childhood passion for tinkering with mechanical blocks, alongside his late Civil Engineer father’s encouragement to think creatively, laid the foundation for his exceptional problem-solving skills and adaptability across industries.
One of the areas where Nalantha’s innovative spirit has yielded impressive results is in wearable tech. By integrating textiles with future electronics, he has contributed to the development of fabrics capable of tracking biometric data, an innovation that has transformed the athletic wear market. Athletes worldwide use these high-tech garments to monitor performance metrics in real-time, enhancing training and competitive success. His innovative approach to developing high-performance technical fabrics, often integrated with electronic capabilities, has resulted in over 25 international patents. This groundbreaking work has significantly bolstered his reputation in both the global textile and tech industries.
He was able to create new types of constructions on different types of sophisticated narrow looms and machines, which are often used in wearable tech to seamlessly integrate sensors and other electronic components into garments.
Nalantha’s work also extends to different types of signal and power transmission within wearable devices. This includes developing conductive textiles that can efficiently transmit data and power wirelessly, eliminating the need for bulky cables and batteries. This innovation has further advanced the field of wearable technology, enabling the creation of more comfortable, functional, and stylish devices.
With these inventions, he’s not only raised the bar for what’s possible in textiles but also elevated the standing of Sri Lanka’s contributions to the global textile industry. His innovative designs have even helped athletes achieve Olympic records, underscoring his profound influence on sports and performance technology. Nalantha’s achievements in this space have led to numerous accolades, one of the most notable being his team’s role in winning the prestigious Femmy Award for Sri Lanka for the first time—a landmark moment in the award’s 50-year history.
Today, as Chief Innovations Officer at Jiaxing Huayan Elastic Manufacturing Co., Ltd, a global leader in narrow fabric manufacturing, he is at the helm of driving innovation and developing new products. The company’s scale is substantial, producing over 3 million units daily, with operations spanning continents. Nalantha believes that with such a high production capacity, the potential for innovation is vast, from improving production efficiency to exploring sustainable materials.
Despite the confidentiality constraints surrounding his work, he remains committed to fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration. Known for his hands-on approach, he regularly engages with production teams, designers, and engineers, ensuring that creativity flourishes at every level of the organization. His team describes him as a leader who encourages exploration, champions new ideas, and allows his colleagues to learn from experimentation.
Under his leadership, Jiaxing Huayan Elastic Manufacturing has invested significantly in research and development, emphasizing sustainable practices that align with global environmental goals. By adopting energy-efficient machinery and implementing recycling processes within the factory, the company has made strides toward reducing its carbon footprint. Nalantha envisions a future where automation and sustainability are central to textile manufacturing, anticipating that Jiaxing Huayan Elastic will lead the industry toward more eco-friendly processes and products. This commitment to sustainability aligns with his view that the textile industry has a duty to future generations, a perspective that has driven the development of biodegradable fabrics and innovative recycling initiatives within the company.
As Nalantha leads the charge toward these environmentally conscious practices, he also emphasizes the importance of community. He believes that fostering a strong connection between the company and its employees is crucial for innovation. In fact, he has implemented employee-driven initiatives that allow workers to contribute ideas for improving workflows and reducing waste. This focus on internal collaboration has not only enhanced team morale but has also led to practical innovations that have improved efficiency across the board.
In addition to his work at Jiaxing Huayan Elastic, Nalantha is a regular speaker at international textile conferences and workshops, where he shares insights on emerging trends and best practices in technical textiles. His presentations often focus on the intersection of sustainability, automation, and wearable technology, subjects he believes are shaping the future of textiles. His dedication to knowledge-sharing and mentorship extends to his work with young professionals in the industry, whom he advises on the importance of continuous learning and adaptability. For him, innovation is not just about creating new products—it’s about inspiring the next generation of textile experts to think creatively and responsibly.
As he reflects on his journey, Nalantha attributes much of his success to his commitment to lifelong learning. Even with decades of experience and a wealth of knowledge, he continues to seek new challenges and opportunities for growth. This relentless pursuit of knowledge, combined with his innovative mindset, serves as an inspiration to aspiring professionals in both the textile and tech industries.
Looking forward, he is optimistic about the future of Jiaxing Huayan Elastic and the textile industry as a whole. As technology advances and new materials emerge, he sees endless possibilities for growth and improvement. “Innovation is a continuous journey,” he says, “and it’s our responsibility to lead this industry forward, not only in terms of profitability but also in our commitment to sustainability and community impact.”
As he continues to push boundaries and challenge the status quo, the future of textiles indeed looks brighter than ever under his leadership.