Reliance enters co-branded apparel business with R|Elan

The R|Elan fabrics, a portfolio of speciality fabrics created by Reliance Industries, score over regular fabrics in a number of different ways, such as enhanced breathability, dry feel, and anti-odour.

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) forayed into co-branded apparel business with the launch of R|Elan high-performance fabrics brand in Bengaluru very recently.

As an industry leader and a pioneer, the polyester division of RIL is always looking at ways to come up with value-added, easy-care, and more comfortable fabrics for the Common Man. Following extensive research and development, and using its expertise in fibre re-engineering, RIL has created R|Elan – a portfolio of speciality fabrics. R|Elan enhances performance attributes in all apparel segments, such as active wear, denim, formal wear, casual, and ethnic wear. These fabrics have been created with active participation of Hub Excellence Program (HEP) partners, spread across various textile centres of India.

RIL has entered a partnership with the VF Corporation, US, owner of the Wrangler brand and the largest denim player globally. R|Elan Kooltex is a performance fibre, capable of moisture management in apparel. It has found acceptance with the makers of Wrangler. VF will launch the Inficool denim range, made from Kooltex fabric, for Spring Summer 2018 in its Asian markets, namely China, India, Japan and Thailand. This range aims to encourage young men and women to wear “cool and dry” performance denim during sultry summer months.

As per the partnership deal, R|Elan will get visibility in the form of hangtags on garments, as well as in AV being played at points of sale. On its part, RIL will ensure that superior-quality, high-performance R|Elan fabrics are supplied exclusively to VF for denim applications.

The R|Elan co-branding exercise will give RIL a foothold in the Rs 2,50,000 crore Indian apparel industry comprising almost a 50-50 share of menswear and womenswear.

R|Elan is an umbrella brand from the house of RIL, encompassing a range of new-age fabrics. It is a perfect blend of art and smart, with fabrics providing enhanced aesthetics, performance and comfort. Through R|Elan, RIL aims to cater to all consumers across all apparel segments – active wear, denim, formal wear and womenswear.

Along with the launch of the new brand, RIL is also creating robust fibre-to-fabric value chain to ensure that these innovations match the commercial expectations of fashion brands.

Following intensive primary and secondary research, the company has decided to focus on six key growth engines through the specialty R|Elan fabrics:

• R|Elan Kooltex – used in making active wear apparels
• R|Elan FreeFlow – used in manufacturing sarees and dress material
• R|Elan FreeFlow – used in western and ethnic wears
• R|Elan SuperSoft – used in shirting
• R|Elan GreenGold – made of greenest fibres in the world, manufactured by recycling used PET bottles, and used in trousers and denim
• R|Elan SuperBlack – used in suiting.

The R|Elan fabrics score over regular fabrics in a number of different ways, such as enhanced breathability, dry feel, and anti-odour. They come in vibrant colours, have excellent drape and hand feel, are among the most eco-friendly, and are easy care. All these properties are inherent and permanent, giving assured comfort and confidence to end consumers.

With increasing consumer demand for specific higher performance apparels, the opportunities for strong polyester adoption is on the rise. RIL is committed to provide one of the best solutions to the apparel manufacturers, keeping in mind the aspirations of end consumers.

In the total Rs 2,50,000 crore Indian apparel industry, active wear segment has a 10-15 per cent, or Rs 2,500 crore market share. Ethnic wear and sarees, the largest apparel sub-segment, commands a Rs 60,000 crore share. The denim segment, currently worth Rs 20,000 crore, is expected to grow at 14 per cent CAGR till 2020.

In order to satisfy the increasing consumer demand for higher functionality, RIL has undertaken a project to create awareness among apparel brands and retailers. It is also creating a fully integrated supply chain to support the project. All this is aimed at ensuring brand delight, as well as enhancing value at every level of the textile value chain.

RIL has partnered with more than 25 textile players that are equipped to produce new-age fabrics using R|Elan technologies. RIL is providing the latest know-how, specifications and expert consultation support to these players to enhance and sustain the quality of textile. The pan-India network will reassure apparel brand owners and retailers about streamlined production, timelines and standard quality. R|Elan products will provide consumers next generation fabrics, which are in line with the latest fashion trends and fulfil lifestyle needs as well. If there is R|Elan on the outside, consumers can be sure that there is something very special inside!