Applications

Sectorial Markets & Future - Automobiles

Reliance Industries Limited . Textile Division . Naroda . Ahmedabad

Founded by Late Mr. Dhirubhai H. Ambani (1932-2002) and presently headed by Mr. Mukesh Ambani.

Textile division of Reliance group started its operation in 1966 under the brand name of “Vimal” and recently in 2008, venture into Automotive Fabric manufacturing.

Plant situated at Naroda, Ahmedabad with manufacturing facility of woven dobby, woven jacquard, needle punch nonwoven, warp knit, circular knit, printing, lamination and raising technologies to make various type of fabric for different applications.

Automotive wing of Textile division has grown substantially and makes its own presence in automobile sector by offering a complete interior solution (Fabric as well as Nonwoven) to all OEMs, a first of its kind in India.

At Reliance, we always believe growth is propelled by innovation as a part of our business discipline. We strive for continuous improvement as a way of life.

Reliance Textile DivisionIntroduction

Reliance Textile DivisionNonwoven Presence

Nonwoven business started on January 2015

Got 1st headliner order from Summit Auto for OEM Renault “Kwid” vehicle in April 2015.

Presently working on 74 live projects which includes headliner, seatback, carpets, parcel shelf application for various OEMs.

Plan to achieve sales revenue of Rs. 21.38 Cr in the current fiscal.

Focus Areas - Streamline fiber procurement (Solution dyed fibers) Supply consistency with 100% OTIF Quick Sampling turnaround Time (within 7 days) Technical Support through Reliance Technology Center, Patalganga.

Capacity: Needle punch Nonwoven – 7.50 Million Sq. Mt

Reliance Textile DivisionFuture Plans - Nonwoven

To promote and include new features like printing, embossing and different types of finishes to enhance the value proposition of the product, which can be offered to end customer through Tier 1 / OEMs.

To add on infrastructure to increase the capacity in existing product as well as new product such as –

Velour loom Scattered coating M/c Needle punch line

Working with few OEMs to consolidate shade, weight and width across various models to control inventory at different stages of manufacturing.

Target to achieve a revenue of Rs. 70 Cr by 2018.

Nonwoven Application The journey so far……

The Automotive Industry is one of the largest users of “ engineered” nonwovens. On an average 25 Kgs of nonwoven or approx. 20 Square Mts of fabric find applications in twenty to twenty five different components.

Nonwoven fabric is basically used due to its properties like -

Superior strength and light weight

Abrasion resistance

Thermal protection

Flame resistance

Acoustic insulation

Air filtration

Easily moulded and retains shape

Readily sewn, seamed, coated, dyed and laminated

ELV & Recyclability

Nonwoven Application

.

1) Door and side panelling 2) Underbody covers 3) Airbag covers 4) Floor and footwell covers 5) Seatback 6) Brake disks 7) Textile wheel-arch liners 8) Exhaust systems 9) Filters 10) Engine insulation 11) Turbocharger 12) Battery 13) Side and rear door panelling 14) Rear parcel shelf 15) Stowage compartment cover 16) Columns 17) Headliner 18) Sun roof 19) Dashboard 20) Bonnet covers 21) Floor of boot, spare wheel

Nonwoven Application Future Prospects

There are many research presently being carried out world wide to widen the scope of nonwoven use in automotive industry such as –

Use of natural fibers to make nonwoven without compromising the functional requirements of OEMs.

To counter recyclability of polyester fiber

High strength nonwoven combined with some special film to replace nylon airbags presently being used.

Use of nonwoven composite fabric in seating application etc.

Automotive Application – Different Technologies

All type of nonwoven are used in automotive application, but spun bond (66%) and needle punched (27%) are the dominant types. Fibers are mostly polyester (PET) and polypropylene due to cost and good UV resistance. Solution dyed fibers are finding greater use in order to meet increasing demands for high UV resistance.

SPUN BOND NEEDLE PUNCHED

Process 1. Melt the polymer in an extruder

2. Extrude the melted polymer through a spinneret to form filaments

3. Stretch and cool filaments with high velocity warm air

4. Deposit cooled filaments on a moving conveyer to form a web

5. Thermally bond the web

1. Thousands of oscillating needles penetrate the web in the vertical direction

2. Barbs on needle push and pull fibers in the vertical direction

3. Causes fibers to entangle and create a stable web

1. This is a dry process2. One or more needle looms

required to perform this operation.

Benefits 1. Very economical process2. Very Strong3. Moldable4. Reasonable uniformity at

higher weight

Increased needle penetration improves – 1. Strength2. Physical properties3. Stability & Density4. Less stretching

Usage 1. Automotive (molded carpet and trunk liner substrates)

2. Roofing substrate

1. Automotive Carpets and trunk liners

2. Roof lining surface fabric3. Seatback fabric

Nonwoven in Automotive Path Forward (India)

Although 14-15 was not that great year in terms of expectations, analysts say, 15-16 will bring back the growth figures of industry and the main growth drivers include –

Indian consumer’s aspiration to own a car Favorable demand scenario from small towns and rural areas Strong economic growth Rise in disposable income levels Wide distribution and Service network Competitive Pricing Exhaustive range of vehicle Favorable Central and State government policies More investments from overseas automobile manufacturers

Going through the trend, use of nonwoven will be increased in multi-fold in existing areas and also we see that, many nonwoven suppliers are working with various OEMs on the below developments -

Printed Nonwoven for headliner and parcel shelf application Nonwoven with special finish Nonwoven with embossing Nonwoven used in place of foam in seating area Nonwoven used in non-visible areas in place of fabric

Acknowledgements

A number of sources were used to obtain information for this presentation. Most of their contributions are noted. Some of those deserve special thanks, and include –

INDA - International Nonwoven Disposable AssociationEDANA - European Nonwoven Disposable AssociationANFA - Asia Nonwoven Fabrics Association CNTA - China Nonwovens Technical AssociationTTNA - Technical Textile and Nonwoven AssociationITTA - Indian Technical Textile Association

Thank you very much

Sambit SatpathyGeneral Manager – Marketing,

Reliance Industries Limited . Textile Division . Automotive Div.Naroda . Ahmedabad . Gujarat

Mob: 9601271037, Email: sambit.satpathy@ril.com