RIL expands PET bottles recycling capacity to 5 billion annually
Reliance Industries (RIL) is increasing its capacity to recycle post-consumer PET bottles from 2 billion to 5 billion bottles annually. The company has established a new recycled Polyester Staple Fiber facility in partnership with Srichakra Ecotex in Andhra Pradesh. This hub focuses on producing the Recron GreenGold and PET flakes wash-line, underwritten entirely by RIL to support regional entrepreneurship. This expansion ensures India maintains a recycling rate of over 90 per cent, the highest in the world. RIL's existing plants in Barabanki, Hoshiarpur, and Nagothane serve as the foundation for this nationwide ‘waste-to-wealth’ network.
At Heimtextil 2026 and Bharat Tex 2025 trade fairs, Reliance debuted next-generation fibers that prioritize both circularity and performance. These include the Hararel Fiberfill, a graphene-enhanced material that offers thermoregulation down to -60°C, positioning it as a circular, ethical alternative to traditional duck down. The company also launched the ‘3-in-1’ fiber, R|Elan Super, derived from 100 per cent post-consumer PET bottles. It mimics natural fibers while providing superior moisture management and durability. To combat ‘greenwashing,’ RIL introduced Isophthalic Acid (IPA) testing. This chemistry-based verification ensures that R|Elan GreenGold fabrics are 100 per cent derived from PET bottles, providing a verified ‘fingerprint’ for global brands.
Reliance’s circular expansion is part of a broader Rs 75,000 crore investment in the polyester and new materials value chain. The company is building one of the world's largest carbon fiber plants at Hazira (20,000 mtpa capacity). This material is critical for lightweighting in the EV and renewable energy sectors, further linking the textile business to the ‘Green Energy Giga Complex. At Jamnagar, the company is piloting biological pathways to convert CO2 emissions into proteins and advanced materials, aiming for a Net Carbon Zero status by 2035.
By integrating the entire value chain - from bottle collection via 100+ reverse vending machines to high-fashion garments - Reliance is successfully reducing the ‘green premium,’ making sustainable textiles price-competitive with virgin polyester.