Think India and you might picture Bollywood, spicy food, or cricket. But there’s another side to the country’s identity woven—literally—into its history: textiles. India holds one of the most diverse and storied textile industries on the planet, churning out everything from high-end fashion fabrics to the everyday cottons in your closet. When you try to pinpoint just one company as the biggest in this sprawling landscape, the answer comes stamped with serious numbers and head-spinning scale.
The Giant in the Room: Reliance Industries’ Textile Legacy
When people talk about the textile big leagues in India, one name sits confidently at the top: Reliance Industries. Yes, the same Reliance that’s famous for its telecommunications and petrochemicals also wears a crown in textiles. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), founded by Dhirubhai Ambani and now helmed by Mukesh Ambani, began its journey in the late seventies with a textile mill in Naroda, Gujarat. Back then, they launched Vimal—a brand every Indian family seemed to have hanging in their wardrobe for decades. Today, Vimal’s legacy is engrained in Indian textile history, but the game has moved way beyond simple fabric.
Reliance’s polyester yarns and fibers form the backbone of not just domestic supply, but also global chains. Every time you see the words “polyester” or “synthetic yarn” in an Indian context, Reliance probably had something to do with it. Their production numbers dwarf most competitors: Reliance is the world’s largest producer of polyester fiber and yarn. In the fiscal year 2024, the company churned out about 2.5 million metric tons of polyester—enough to circle the globe in fabric several times if you tried to lay it end to end.
What’s wild is the scale. Reliance’s Jamnagar manufacturing complex is the largest of its kind, and their textile and fiber segment feeds not just fashion houses, but everything from car interiors to medical textiles around the world. For the year ending March 2024, their textile and fiber business contributed billions to the group’s already-mammoth revenue, clocking in at roughly ₹170,000 crore (over $20 billion USD) from petrochemical, fiber, and allied products. That’s more than the GDP of some small countries.
Reliance keeps its competitive edge by investing in innovation: new eco-friendly fibers, recycled polyester, and specialty yarns. They’ve shifted into everything from smart textiles to sustainable fabric by launching collaborations with global brands looking for eco-conscious materials. It’s not just cotton and polyester—this giant wants a piece of anything “wearable” the future might dream up.
Arvind Limited: Denim, Diversification, and Disruption
While Reliance dominates in polyester, Arvind Limited is practically synonymous with denim and woven textiles. Started as a modest textile mill in 1931 by the Lalbhai family in Ahmedabad, Arvind has become one of the world’s largest producers of denim, not only defining what Indian denim means but also exporting more than 100 million meters yearly to fashion brands worldwide by 2024.
If you’ve worn jeans from Levi’s, Calvin Klein, or Tommy Hilfiger, you’ve probably lounged in Arvind’s fabric. They supply to more than 100 global brands, making snug blue jeans possible across continents.
But Arvind isn’t just about cotton and denim. It’s an aggressive player in the technical textiles market, producing materials for defense, automotive, and even healthcare sectors—think fire-resistant fabric and performance gear. In 2025, their strategic push into “Smart Textiles” means adding electronics to clothing: moisture sensors, temperature control fibers, and even garments that monitor your heart rate.
Numbers back their prominence. Arvind’s consolidated annual revenue for FY24 topped ₹10,350 crore (about $1.24 billion). The company employs more than 40,000 people and has manufacturing units spread across India. By managing nearly every link in the textile chain—from spinning yarn to designing and distributing branded apparel—Arvind makes it hard for upstarts to nip at their heels.
Waste reduction and recycling are also core to Arvind’s brand. By 2024, they recycled over 30 million liters of water annually and championed “Zero Liquid Discharge” tech at several plants. Their circular economy projects find ways to reuse fabric scraps, repurposing them into new yarn or non-woven textiles. It’s a sharp move as global apparel brands demand cleaner, greener supply chains and more sustainable partners.
Beyond the Big Two: Other Titans in Indian Textiles
Reliance and Arvind gobble up headlines, but they aren’t alone at the top. India’s textile landscape is crowded with powerhouses each leaving distinct marks.
- Vardhman Textiles: The Vardhman Group boasts over 22 manufacturing plants across India. They’re a key supplier for yarn, fabric, and sewing threads—basic building blocks for clothing. In 2024, their consolidated revenue exceeded ₹10,700 crore.
- Welspun India: If you love plush towels and soft bed linens, you might be using Welspun products without realizing it. They’re one of the world’s largest home textile producers, exporting to giants like Walmart and Target. Their towels were even used by athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Raymond Group: Known as the “Complete Man” in India thanks to a catchy advertising jingle, Raymond is a leader in wool and formal suiting. Their reach spans 55 countries, and their suiting is almost a rite of passage for anyone buying their first officewear in India.
Most of these companies have adopted high-tech manufacturing—digital printing, laser-finished denim, and even automation using AI and machine learning. From supply chain logistics to customer personalization, Indian mills are in a race to embrace the future while sticking to traditions that have kept them relevant for generations.
Why India Dominates Global Textile Supply Chains
What keeps India at the world’s textile center stage? For starters, raw material. India is the top producer of cotton and jute, and a leading exporter of synthetic fibers and silk. The country churned out nearly 368 lakh bales of cotton during 2023–2024, making it second only to China. Labor plays a huge part—skilled artisans, many working in family-run operations, keep alive weaving, dyeing, and embroidery traditions that date back centuries.
Here’s a quick snapshot of India’s textile sector, showing just how big the numbers get:
| Factor | Stat (2024) |
|---|---|
| Total industry size | ~$260 billion USD |
| Employment | Over 45 million direct jobs |
| Export share | ~12% of India's export earnings |
| Key export destinations | USA, EU, Bangladesh, UAE |
| Major products | Cotton, man-made fibers, silk, wool, technical textiles |
Another thing helping Indian companies stay on top is their fast response to trends. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, local mills pivoted almost overnight to making masks and PPE. With global supply chain chaos, Indian textile exporters stepped in, filling gaps left by Chinese and Southeast Asian competitors. Quick adaptation, digital technology, and a diverse product range keep India attractive for global buyers chasing reliability and volume.
Tips for Navigating the Indian Textile Scene
If you’re looking to source from India or just want a closer look at the world’s textile juggernaut, keep these tips in your back pocket:
- Keep an eye on the big players—their price moves and production changes usually ripple through the entire sector.
- Seasonality matters. Cotton harvests, local festivals, and export cycles can swing both prices and lead times. Plan ahead when placing big orders.
- Sustainability sells. Both big and small brands are leaning into eco-friendly textiles, organic cotton, and recycled fibers. If you’re reselling, showing a “Made with Recycled Polyester” badge or “Zero Waste Process” can net a premium
- Insider tip: Indian textile expos and fairs, like the India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (ITME) and India Textile Sourcing Fair, are must-visits. You’ll spot the next trends before competitors.
- If you’re a fashion entrepreneur, look beyond just fabric. Many Indian textile companies now offer end-to-end solutions—from design to finished branded apparel—making life easier and speeding up go-to-market timelines.
And if, like my wife Amaia, you love handwoven work or intricate embroidery, Indian textile markets are treasure troves. From linen stoles in Kolkata to bandhani saris in Gujarat or luxury Pashmina in Kashmir, the diversity boggles the mind and keeps the industry endlessly fascinating—not just for big business, but for anyone who loves stories woven in thread.
