Synthetic Textile Production Comparison Tool
Key Industry Facts
India's largest synthetic textile manufacturer is Reliance Industries, producing 12,000,000 metric tons annually.
Reliance dominates the market with 50%+ share and produces more than the combined output of the next five largest Indian firms.
The top five competitors combined produce 4,650,000 metric tons (Arvind, Vardhman, KPR Mill, Shree Renuka Sugars).
Production Comparison
When it comes to synthetic textiles in India, one company dominates the landscape-not just in size, but in scale, output, and global reach. The largest synthetic textile manufacturer in India is Reliance Industries is a vertically integrated conglomerate that produces synthetic fibers, yarns, fabrics, and finished apparel at an unmatched volume. Also known as RIL, it operates the world’s largest integrated petrochemical-to-apparel complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
How Reliance Became the Giant
Reliance’s rise in synthetic textiles didn’t happen overnight. It started with polyester fiber production in the 1980s, then expanded into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, staple fiber, filament yarn, and finally, woven and knitted fabrics. By 2025, Reliance produces over 12 million metric tons of synthetic fiber annually. That’s more than the combined output of the next five largest Indian textile firms.
The secret? Vertical integration. Reliance controls every step: crude oil → paraxylene → PTA → PET chips → polyester fiber → yarn → fabric → dyeing → printing → garment manufacturing. This cuts costs, speeds up delivery, and gives them total control over quality. Most competitors buy fibers from others. Reliance makes its own-and sells the rest to global brands like H&M, Zara, and Nike.
What Makes Synthetic Textiles Different
Synthetic textiles are made from petrochemicals, not plants or animals. The main types used in India are polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex. Polyester alone makes up over 70% of synthetic fiber production in the country. It’s cheap, durable, wrinkle-resistant, and dries fast-perfect for fast fashion and export markets.
Reliance’s Jamnagar plant uses advanced melt-spinning technology to produce ultra-fine filaments as thin as 0.5 denier. That’s finer than human hair. These fibers are used in sportswear, medical textiles, and even automotive interiors. In 2024, Reliance launched its first line of recycled polyester from post-consumer plastic bottles, producing 1.2 million tons annually-equal to recycling 60 billion bottles.
Who Else Is in the Race?
Reliance isn’t the only player, but it’s the only one with a 50%+ market share. Here’s how the rest stack up:
| Company | Annual Fiber Output (metric tons) | Primary Products | Key Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reliance Industries | 12,000,000 | Polyester, Nylon, Recycled PET | Global (USA, EU, UAE, Bangladesh) |
| Arvind Limited | 1,800,000 | Denim, Knitwear, Performance Fabrics | USA, UK, Japan |
| Vardhman Textiles | 1,200,000 | Polyester yarn, blended fabrics | India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka |
| KPR Mill | 950,000 | Denim, woven synthetics | USA, Germany, Australia |
| Shree Renuka Sugars (Textile Division) | 700,000 | Polyester filament, spun yarn | India, Middle East |
Arvind Limited, often mistaken for the largest, is actually India’s top denim and branded fabric producer. But they still buy most of their polyester fiber from Reliance. Vardhman and KPR Mill focus on niche segments like denim and yarn, but lack the scale to compete in bulk fiber supply.
Why Scale Matters in Synthetic Textiles
Unlike cotton, which depends on weather and farmers, synthetic fibers are factory-made. That means output is tied to plant capacity, not monsoons. Bigger plants = lower cost per ton. Reliance’s Jamnagar facility alone has 27 melt-spinning lines, each running 24/7. It uses 30% less energy per ton than older plants in Tamil Nadu or Maharashtra.
Scale also lets Reliance invest in R&D. In 2023, they launched a new fiber called ‘EcoSpun’-a bio-based polyester made from sugarcane ethanol. It’s not yet mainstream, but it’s being tested by European eco-brands. Smaller players can’t afford such experiments. They’re stuck making low-margin bulk fibers.
Export Powerhouse
India exports over $15 billion in synthetic textiles every year. Reliance accounts for nearly 40% of that. Their biggest buyers are the United States (32%), the United Arab Emirates (18%), and Bangladesh (12%). Bangladesh doesn’t make fiber-it imports from Reliance and turns it into garments for Walmart and Target.
Reliance doesn’t just sell fabric. They sell solutions. A Turkish brand wanting stretch denim? Reliance provides the fabric, the dye, the finishing, and even the packaging. That’s why global buyers don’t just buy from India-they buy from Reliance.
Challenges Ahead
Even giants face pressure. Rising crude oil prices hit synthetic fiber margins. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) now taxes high-emission imports. Reliance’s plants emit more CO₂ than smaller competitors, so they’re investing $3 billion in solar power and hydrogen-based production by 2030.
Another threat? Government policies. India’s PLI scheme for textiles gives cash incentives to garment makers, not fiber producers. That means Reliance’s downstream rivals get subsidies-but not them. They’re forced to compete on efficiency alone.
What’s Next?
Reliance is betting big on circular textiles. By 2027, they plan to recycle 5 million tons of plastic waste into fiber annually. They’ve partnered with municipal bodies in Pune and Surat to collect post-consumer PET bottles. In 2025, they opened India’s first fully automated fiber-to-fiber recycling plant in Gujarat.
They’re also testing AI-driven quality control. Cameras scan every meter of fabric for defects. If a flaw is found, the system auto-adjusts spinning tension. This cuts waste by 18%-a huge win in an industry where 12% of fabric is typically discarded.
For now, no Indian company comes close. Reliance’s textile division alone employs over 120,000 people and generates $12 billion in annual revenue. That’s bigger than the entire textile industry of Thailand or Vietnam.
Is Reliance the only major synthetic textile maker in India?
No, but Reliance is by far the largest. Other players like Arvind Limited, Vardhman Textiles, and KPR Mill are significant, but they operate at a fraction of Reliance’s scale. Most of them rely on Reliance for raw fiber, making them customers rather than direct competitors in fiber production.
What percentage of India’s synthetic fiber does Reliance produce?
Reliance produces approximately 75% of India’s synthetic fiber output. The rest is split among smaller mills, many of which focus on niche products like specialty yarns or organic blends, but none match Reliance’s volume or integration.
Are synthetic textiles better than cotton in India?
It depends on use. Cotton is breathable and biodegradable, so it’s preferred for everyday wear in hot climates. But synthetic fibers are cheaper, more durable, and easier to care for-making them ideal for sportswear, uniforms, and export markets. Most Indian households now own a mix of both.
Does India import synthetic fibers from other countries?
Rarely. India is now a net exporter of synthetic fibers. In 2024, it exported over $12 billion worth while importing just $800 million-mostly high-end specialty fibers like aramid or carbon fiber used in defense and aerospace. For everyday textiles, India is self-sufficient.
What’s the future of synthetic textiles in India?
The future is recycled and smart. With plastic waste rising, recycling synthetic fibers is becoming mandatory for export markets. Companies like Reliance are leading this shift. The next big growth area will be technical textiles-fabrics for medical devices, solar panels, and electric vehicles. India is poised to become a global hub for these high-value synthetics.
Final Takeaway
If you’re asking who makes the most synthetic textile in India, the answer is clear: Reliance Industries. They’re not just a manufacturer-they’re an ecosystem. From oil to T-shirts, they control the chain. No other Indian company has the infrastructure, the capital, or the vision to match them. For buyers, suppliers, or even competitors, Reliance sets the rules. And unless another company builds a plant bigger than the entire country’s current capacity, that’s not changing anytime soon.
