The world's largest manufacturer of polyester yarns and fibres, Reliance Industries Ltd, will introduce three fibres in the next 15 months. |
These fibres will be specially developed for the Indian market by its Patalganga-based research centre. RIL had launched the Recron fibre over a year back. |
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The new fibre range will include an anti-bacterial fibre, a fire retardant fibre and one with high hygroscopic capacity. The $19.9 billion company has already begun commercial trials for these products. |
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"From the time we set up the Reliance Technology Centre in Patalganga in 2003, we have been looking at introducing differentiated products to cater specifically to the Indian conditions. After introducing Recron, we will now bring these new fibres to the market in the next 15 months," said C S Gokhale, president, corporate development. |
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Gokhale said the anti-bacterial fibre would find extensive use in inner wear garments, surgical gowns and drapes, operation theatre sheets, wound dressings, bed sheets, towels, baby wipes, diapers and feminine hygiene products. |
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The fire retardant fibre, also being test marketed, has an additive being introduced at the molecule stage itself that would see the yarn retain its fire retardant properties throughout its life unlike conventional yarn that has a fire retardant chemical sprayed on it that reduces in efficacy with each wash. |
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The polyester yarn developed with high hygroscopic properties will, for the first time, introduce polyester yarn for the towelling industry, which otherwise conventionally sources either cotton or spunlace yarn. This yarn will also have application in sportswear for its ability to remain dry despite perspiration. |
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Gokhale said the company was currently in talks with the ministry of defence for supply of fibres for secondary reinforcement for its Married Accommodation Project (MAP) scheme, which was conceived in 2001 to provide good accommodation to married personnel in the three services as a one-time measure. |
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The approximate cost of this project is Rs 18,000 crore. The plan is to build 2.5 lakh dwelling units, covering 364 stations in three phases. The defence establishment, on is part, has started taking field trials for the procurement of RIL's new fibres in a contract worth about Rs 90 crore. |
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