The joint venture between Birla Cellulose and LNJ Bhilwara Group aims to explore how graphene’s features can improve textiles’ fabric resilience, functionality and eco-friendliness.
Graphene is widely recognised for its strength, conductivity, and feather-light characteristics and it has applications in textiles as well as electronics, energy storage, coatings, composites and construction materials.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The new partnership will see TACC Limited, which is an innovation-driven venture of the LNJ Bhilwara Group, provide Birla Cellulose with graphene-based materials.
Birla Cellulose will incorporate TACC’s graphene derivatives into its viscose fibre production process and manufacturer RSWM will manufacture textiles using the resulting graphene-fortified viscose fibres.
TACC is said to be one of the leaders in the advanced materials sector. It specialises in synthetic graphite and graphene derivatives. The company is committed to advancing green technologies and sustainability, consistently innovating in graphene production for industrial applications.
RSWM is described as being at the forefront of yarn and fabric manufacturing. With advanced facilities and a vast export network covering 70 countries, the manufacturing company focuses on providing high-quality textile products globally.
Birla Cellulose focuses on producing sustainable man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCF). The company operates five research centres worldwide, each equipped with advanced technology and pilot plants. Its fibres, sourced from renewable wood, are produced through an environmentally conscious closed-loop process, reducing carbon emissions and conserving resources.
Together, the companies will evaluate textile innovation, integrating graphene’s properties into fabrics in a bid to enhance durability, performance, and sustainability.
In October 2024, Birla Cellulose entered into a strategic alliance with US-based innovator in textile recycling, Circ. The long-term agreement focuses on propelling the recycling movement within the textile sector.
As part of this initiative, Birla Cellulose committed to acquiring up to 5,000 tonnes of Circ’s recycled pulp each year for five years. This material will be sourced from Circ’s commercial-scale recycling facility.
In 2023, Birla Cellulose joined forces with clean textile innovator Algaeing to revolutionise the sector by launching a new cellulosic fibre, which is uniquely powered by algae. This initiative marks a strategic move towards eco-conscious manufacturing and is part of a broader effort to reduce the environmental footprint of textile production.
