Vimal launches anti-fungal fabric

Vimal, the flagship textile brand of the Mukesh Ambani run Reliance Industries has launched

DEO2, an anti-microbial deo-treatment that arrests growth of fungi on fabrics and keeps them fresh in humid and warm climates. All fabrics, worsted as well as PV suitings, woven at Vimal will be treated with this innovative technology, thus making Vimal the only company in the world to offer it across its entire product range at no additional cost to consumers.

The new technology follows American Association of Textiles Colours and Colourist-147 Protocol, the highest protocol for any such fabric to pass, besides certifications from Indian agencies like ATIRA and BITRA. It has filed an India patent for this in-house technology developed at its facility at Naroda. The company is looking to introduce this technology in the shirting range of fabrics too. Moreover the brand which also has supplies to the defense sector in India is looking to introduce this fabric range for uniforms for armed forces, besides other government departments.

While the size of the suiting market in India is around Rs 6,500 to Rs 7,000 crores only for the manmade fiber. RIL manufactures more than 12,000 design-shade combinations every year in polyester wool and polyester viscose and woolen fabrics under the Vimal brand.

Meanwhile Vimal also plans to add at least 38 stores to its retail network this fiscal. At present, the company has over 380 stores pan-India and plans to increase this by at least 10 per cent in FY ’11. While the company plans to expand, they will also continue to support their franchisees in order to enhance the brand.