Reliance looking to co-brand specialty fabrics RElan

Reliance Industries is looking at co-branding its specialty fabrics RElan with apparel brands. The categories include: denim, ethnic wear, formal wear, women’s wear. Reliance had introduced RElan in October in Bangalore. In the North, RIL is targeting 200 textile manufacturers, who can make RElan fabrics. Under the HEP (Hub Excellence Program) Reliance is also forging partnerships with textile manufacturers to provide technology to manufacture high performance fabrics. It has entered into a partnership with the US-based VF Corporation, owner of the Wrangler brand and the largest denim player globally.

VF Corp will use Reliance fiber to make Wrangler jeans, which would be launched in India and the Asia Pacific. This co-branding exercise will give Reliance a foothold in the Rs 2,50,000 crore Indian apparel industry comprising almost a 50-50 share of men’s wear and women’s wear. The company has identified some 50 or 60 spinners, weavers and garmenters who could be eventually its HEP partner. Right now there are 25.

Reliance aims at delivering a world-class product and experience to Indian consumers through its retail and digital services businesses. Over the past three or four years, the company has made significant investments in new plants, thus creating organic growth platforms for its energy and materials businesses.