RIL B2B summits highlights industry shift to performance fibers
At a recent B2B innovation summits in Delhi and Bengaluru, industry leaders showed a decisive shift toward ‘Performance Fusion’, the integration of multiple technical attributes within a single fabric. Unlike traditional polyester, these new-age textiles combine recycled PET fibers with advanced antimicrobial (FeelFresh) and moisture-management (KoolTex) technologies to meet the sophisticated requirements of modern consumers.
Reinforcing this momentum, data from the Ministry of Commerce shows, exports of man-made fiber (MMF) yarns and fabrics rose by 3.99 per cent in December 2025. This growth occurs despite a challenging global trade environment and high domestic cotton prices, which have reached Rs 55,200 per candy. The future of Indian textiles lies in creating value-added, multi-functional fabrics that justify their price point through performance, states Hemant D Sharma, President-Polyester Business, Reliance Industries. As manufacturers scale up to meet the March 31, 2026, PLI scheme deadline, the industry is increasingly prioritizing graphene-enhanced smart fibers and traceable recycled polyester (GreenGold) to secure long-term contracts with global sustainable brands.
Reliance Industries is India’s largest private sector conglomerate and a global leader in integrated polyester production. From its historic roots in textiles, RIL now operates the world’s most advanced chemical-to-fiber value chain, including the flagship R|Elan brand. The company targets a dominant share in the $45 billion Indian technical textiles market by 2026. Historically, RIL’s polyester division has maintained robust financial performance, leveraging superior asset integration and a massive R&D focus on circular fashion and recycled PET technologies.
On January 16, RIL reported its Q3 FY26 results, showing a 1.6 per cent YoY increase in net profit to Rs 22,290 crore. The company is implementing world-scale polyester projects at its Dahej and Jamnagar facilities to capitalize on the global shift from cotton to man-made fibers (MMF).