Reliance enhances FR solutions with FRX technology

FRX Innovations announced that Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) will use FRX Innovations’ Nofia® technology to enhance the sustainable edge of its well established Recron FS, fire-resistant polyester.

Nofia’s unique polymeric phosphorus-based chemistry helps make Recron FS more sustainable and technically superior for polyester textile applications. Nofia additives are certified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 for textile applications and other sustainability certifications such as ChemForward, Green Screen and TCO accrediting that the technology meets these global standards of safety and sustainability. 

Recron FS is manufactured at state-of-the-art facilities, having one of the most environment-friendly conditions and is a part of the responsible care products offering from RIL, according to Hemant D. Sharma, Sector Head – Polyester Business at RIL. “We are very proud in bolstering Recron FS on safety and technical parameters with FRX’s Nofia technology. We are committed to deliver exceptional fire safety without compromising health, environment, and aesthetics.”

Marc Lebel, CEO of FRX Innovations commented that, “We are very proud to have been selected by the world’s largest polyester fibre and filament yarn producer.  For years now, consumer interest in sustainability has been steadily increasing. It is rewarding to see Nofia being deployed in such high visibility consumer products. With ever increasing pressure to deliver sustainable products to the market, we believe that FRX Innovations is well positioned to grow with sustainably minded customers around the world such as Reliance.”

As the world is coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic impact, sustainable textiles have seen a resurgence in demand as many leading textile companies are embedding their environmental and social responsibility goals as a part of their post Covid-19 growth strategy. To meet the goals of a circular economy (including the 3Rs of the waste hierarchy: reduce, recycle, and reuse), textile manufacturers are relying on innovative technologies, such as FRX’s Nofia that enable sustainable products. The global textile flame retardants market size was valued at USD 519.5 million in 2021 and is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% from 2022 to 2030.

RIL is seeing increasing interest from leading global textile companies for more sustainable, eco-friendly, fire-retardant technologies. Recron FS is a part of RIL’s extensive R&D achievements in attaining its commitment to launch new products that are completely sustainable throughout their lifecycle and responsibly using natural resources.

Furthermore, Reliance conducts sustainability due diligence and audits of its suppliers, which entails a rigorous screening and assessment process in both the pre-award and post-award stages to ensure adherence of standard processes across the value chain. Sustainability in the textile value chain has never been more urgent and RIL’s organisation wide efforts to address environmental and social concerns are captured in the annual publication, the Business Responsibility Report 2021-22. 

To achieve this mandate in their polyester yarns, which are well known for giving manufacturers unlimited creativity in design, colour, texture and performance, Reliance developed a new fire-resistant polyester solution, Recron FS, with FRX Innovations’ Nofia®, technology at its core.  FRX Innovations’ Nofia polymeric phosphorus additives deliver improved tenacity in RIL’s polyester textiles and is the only flame-retardant technology that allows for the use of recycled polyester as a feedstock to contents above 60%, with the capability of reaching above 90%. The ability to use it with recycled polyester makes it a sustainable technology which is proving to be of interest for multiple end-uses. The new technology also enables adjustable flame retardancy from levels of 7000 ppm to 25000 ppm of phosphorus, depending on end user needs making it an attractive solution in multiple markets. 

Recron FS is well established name in transportation, hospitality, and home décor industries’ customers. Recron FS based fabrics are used by Indian Railways in seats and curtains due to its unique blend of cost effectiveness, fire safety and durability.