Reliance's Fibre Revolution at Heimtextil 2026: Exclusive with Rakesh Bali

Mr Rakesh Bali

Sr. Vice President and Head of Marketing (Petchem),

Reliance Industries Limited

At Heimtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, Reliance Industries made waves with its groundbreaking graphene-enhanced HEXaREL Fiberfill and sustainable Recron® innovations, redefining technical textiles for a circular future.

TVC Media Team had the privilege to talk to Mr. Rakesh Bali, Sr. Vice President and Head of Marketing (Petchem) at Reliance Industries Limited, who shared exclusive insights on their standout participation.

From extreme thermo-regulation to price-competitive recycled fibres like Ecotherm and R|Elan Super, Bali reveals how Reliance is leading India's charge toward a $28.7 billion technical textiles market by 2030.

Reliance Industries debuted its graphene-enhanced HEXaREL Fiberfill at Heimtextil 2026. Can you describe the key performance advantages, such as its thermo-regulation at extreme temperatures like -60°C and the 30% improvement in TOG/CLO values over standard synthetic fills?

At Heimtextil 2026, Reliance Industries unveiled its graphene-enhanced HEXaREL Fiberfill, a breakthrough in advanced thermal insulation. This innovation delivers transformative performance advantages, most notably its exceptional thermo-regulation at extreme temperatures. At as low as -60°C, HEXaREL's graphene matrix actively distributes body heat, preventing cold spots and ensuring consistent warmth—far surpassing the passive trapping of traditional fills. Complementing this is a verified 30% improvement in TOG/CLO values, which translates directly into significant material efficiency and enhanced user comfort. For manufacturers, this means the ability to design lighter, less bulky products without compromising warmth; for the end-user, it results in high-performance gear that is more comfortable, agile, and reliable in the world’s most demanding environments. HEXaREL Fibrefill doesn't just improve on existing standards—it redefines them.

How did Reliance structure its booth and showcase at Heimtextil Frankfurt 2026 to highlight Recron®’s range of fibres and fabrics, emphasising innovation, performance, and versatility for technical textiles and home applications?

Our booth was conceptualised as "The Recron® Innovation Hub," designed to be an immersive, journey-based experience. We moved away from a static product display to a narrative organised into three distinct zones. The "Performance Lab" featured interactive displays showcasing our technical textiles—from graphene-enhanced HEXaREL Fibrefill for extreme cold to moisture-wicking fabrics for sleep & dream textile applications. The "Circular Living" zone was dedicated to sustainability, visually tracing the journey of a post-consumer PET bottle into luxurious R|Elan™ and Recron® GreenGold fabrics, bio-degradable Recron® EcoGold Fibres, and cosy Ecotherm fills, emphasising transparency. Finally, the "Home & Comfort" zone presented fills for finished applications—luxurious bedding, elegant upholstery, and versatile draperies—demonstrating the tangible beauty and feel of our fibres. This structure allowed us to engage visitors from the macro-level of innovation and sustainability right down to the micro-level of texture and application.

In addition, we showcased value-added products from our group companies, Sintex Industries and Recron Malaysia.

With products like Ecotherm and R|Elan GreenGold fabrics derived from Recron GreenGold fibres, what strategies is Reliance employing to make circular, sustainable fibres price-competitive and eliminate the 'green premium' for global markets like knitwear?

At Reliance, our strategy is built on three pillars: Scale, Integration, and Ecosystem Creation. As a pioneer in India for over two and a half decades, we currently recycle over 2 billion post-consumer PET bottles annually and are on track to more than double this capacity to 5 billion bottles per annum. This massive, integrated scale is our first pillar—it allows us to achieve cost efficiencies that make premium products like Recron GreenGold, one of the greenest fibres in the world, commercially viable. Secondly, our vertical control over the entire chain optimises every step. Thirdly, and crucially, we foster global demand and innovation through platforms like the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge. A powerful example is the upcoming special 2026 edition, co-organised with the Embassy of France in India and the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode for the Franco-Indian Year of Innovation. By creating such prestigious, international stages for sustainable design, we make circularity aspirational and design-led, effectively eliminating the green premium. Furthermore, our latest R|Elan innovations, crafted by renowned designers, are showcased at premier events like Lakme Fashion Week.  

Heimtextil 2026 comes amid projections for India's technical textiles market to reach $28.7 billion by 2030. How is Reliance leveraging its integrated manufacturing and PET recycling to position Recron fibres at the forefront of this growth?

We see this projected growth as a convergence of performance needs and sustainability mandates, and Reliance is architecting the supply chain for it. Our integrated petrochemicals complex provides a secure, scalable supply of core materials for high-performance textiles like HEXaREL. Concurrently, our leadership in circularity—recycling billions of bottles into Recron GreenGold—ensures a sustainable feedstock for technical applications. Furthermore, we are building the soft infrastructure for growth through global collaborations. Our partnership in the Franco-Indian R|Elan Circular Design Challenge 2026 is a strategic dialogue that aligns French luxury and innovation with Indian scale and sustainability. This positions Recron not just as a material supplier, but as a key player in a global ecosystem redefining how textiles are conceived, from high-fashion to high-tech industrial applications.

What were the key visitor reactions and business outcomes from Reliance Petrochemicals' participation at Heimtextil 2026, particularly regarding partnerships or orders for high-performance, wool-like sustainable alternatives?

The response powerfully validated our integrated model. There was tremendous interest in our sustainable luxury propositions, especially fabrics made from R|Elan GreenGold. The outcomes include numerous serious leads and advanced discussions for strategic partnerships. Significantly, we engaged deeply with European brands and institutions, building momentum for our upcoming special Franco-Indian edition of the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge. The announcement of the jury being held in Paris with the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode generated considerable excitement, positioning this not just as a sustainability contest, but as a major diplomatic-industry initiative. This has opened doors to a new tier of luxury and performance brands looking for partners who can deliver both scale and storytelling, culminating in the international finale we will host in Delhi in October 2026.

Moving forward, what steps is Reliance taking to capitalize on its Heimtextil 2026 success by growing its circular economy presence in home textiles and apparel, especially via continued R&D on graphene and recycled fibers?

Heimtextil 2026 was a catalyst. Our roadmap is threefold: Advance R&D in next-gen speciality materials, bio-enhanced products and chemical recycling. Scale our physical recycling capacity to 5 billion bottles annually. And thirdly, amplify our cultural leadership in circularity. The special 2026 Franco-Indian R|Elan Circular Design Challenge is central to this. It transforms our initiative into a state-level partnership, bringing together the UN in India, French haute couture, and Indian manufacturing prowess. This platform will identify and nurture the next generation of global talent—design-entrepreneurs who will champion circular practices. By connecting cutting-edge material science from our labs with cutting-edge design from this challenge, we create a powerful flywheel that drives sustainable innovation from the fibre to the final fashion showcase, making the circular economy the definitive economy for the future of textiles.