Megha Thakur 2025-08-11
“Conversations are blueprints for tomorrow, carrying within them the power to redefine industries.”
At Rajshila, this belief has guided our journey for over four decades. We have seen the footwear industry grow, shift, and reinvent itself many times, but one thing has remained constant: the importance of conversations. Conversations with partners testing limits, with engineers solving problems on the floor, and with designers rethinking what’s possible.
It was this same spirit that brought us to the India International Footwear Fair (IIFF) 2025, held from August 6–8 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. For us, IIFF is never about reintroduction. It is about continuing conversations that have been alive for years.
India’s footwear market is not just expanding, it is evolving. With rising consumer demand, global exports, and a push towards sustainability, the industry is under pressure to deliver more comfort, durability, and eco-friendly choices. At the same time, manufacturers face increasing challenges around raw material consistency, cost-efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Events like IIFF underline how crucial material innovation is for this sector. Every sole, every midsole, every insole is a result of not just design, but the science of materials. This is where the conversation naturally turns to partners who can provide consistency, technical support, and a wide spectrum of solutions.
For us, footwear is more than just a vertical. It’s a space where materials come alive. From PU systems and processing aids to blowing agents and performance additives, Rajshila brings together decades of experience to help brands achieve the right balance of comfort, strength, and efficiency in production.
This year at IIFF, we showcased a portfolio of over 400 materials ranging from polymers and silicone rubber to fillers, plasticizers, curing agents, and performance additives but what defined our presence was not the number of materials on display, but the discussions around them.
At our stall, the questions were precise and technical:
Beyond these, many more questions came our way, they reflected the kind of dialogue that only happens when trust is established, when clients know they can turn to us for clarity and depth.
The design of our stall was deliberate, minimalistic, segmented, and structured to make room for focused dialogue, with a thoughtful touch of hospitality ensuring visitors could enjoy refreshments while engaging with our team. This approach was recognised with the Silver Medal for Best Stall Presentation. While we are grateful for the recognition, the real success of those three days was in the steady stream of meaningful exchanges. Long-time partners revisited ongoing projects, new manufacturers explored solutions with curiosity, and teams engaged with our application layouts, making discussions more grounded and practical.
As Mr. Amit Agarwal, Managing Director at Rajshila, shared during IIFF:
“IIFF has always been a space where we meet those we’ve collaborated with over years, sometimes decades. These conversations help us stay attuned to what’s shifting on the ground, and that insight informs how we evolve as a partner.”
Our presence at IIFF 2025 also received recognition beyond the exhibition hall. Industry newsletters and trade publications featured Rajshila’s showcase, highlighting both our material portfolio and the value of the conversations we fostered. This coverage extended the dialogue beyond Pragati Maidan, reaching a wider community of manufacturers, designers, and innovators who could not attend the fair in person. For us, such visibility is about ensuring that meaningful insights from the industry travel further and spark new discussions.
Even as we stay deeply connected to India’s manufacturing floors, Rajshila draws strength from its global collaborations. Decades-long associations with leading international manufacturers and research experts keep us attuned to material innovations across borders. These relationships are not transactional; they are built on values of transparency, reliability, and progress. This balance allows us to bring global perspectives into local challenges, translating emerging trends into practical, actionable strategies for Indian manufacturers.
Every year, IIFF offers us something beyond visibility. It gives us the opportunity to listen, to understand what is happening at the ground level. At IIFF 2025, partners spoke about mould compatibility issues, production heads shared the growing pressure of managing costs, and manufacturers discussed the increasing demand for flexibility in material applications. These insights matter. They are what shape the way we refine our portfolio, the way we design our advisory, and the way we support manufacturing outcomes.
For Rajshila, listening is the foundation of every step forward. The footwear industry is in constant motion, influenced by consumer expectations, global trade, and technological shifts. Through it all, our commitment remains clear: to provide consistency, insight, and practical relevance at every stage of the journey.
Exhibitions like IIFF are important milestones that bring the industry together. For Rajshila, their true meaning is reflected in the quiet of production floors, in the small adjustments that define performance, and in the trust manufacturers place in us every day.
At Rajshila, we believe trust is built not in big moments, but in steady presence. That is why our story is not about standing the loudest, but about standing the longest. Quietly, consistently, and always with those who shape the footwear industry.
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