When people ask about the richest textile company in the world, they’re often thinking about big names from India - and for good reason. The Indian textile industry isn’t just big; it’s a global powerhouse. But if you’re looking for the single most valuable company in this space, the answer isn’t a legacy brand from Europe or a heritage name from Japan. It’s Reliance Industries, based in Mumbai, India.

Why Reliance Industries leads the pack

Reliance Industries isn’t just a textile company. It’s a conglomerate with oil refining, petrochemicals, retail, and digital services. But its textile division - Reliance Textiles - is the largest integrated textile manufacturer on the planet. It operates over 120 manufacturing units across India, with spinning, weaving, dyeing, and garment production all under one roof. That vertical integration is key. It controls everything from raw cotton to finished apparel, cutting out middlemen and slashing costs.

In 2025, Reliance Textiles reported annual revenue of $28.7 billion from its textile and apparel segment alone. That’s more than the combined textile revenue of the next three largest global competitors. Its net profit margin hovers around 14%, far above the global textile industry average of 5-7%. That kind of profitability doesn’t come from luck. It comes from scale, automation, and control over supply chains.

How it outpaces global rivals

Let’s compare Reliance to other major players. LVMH’s textile arm (which includes Louis Vuitton and Dior fabrics) brings in about $4.2 billion a year - impressive, but only 15% of Reliance’s textile revenue. H&M’s in-house production and sourcing network? Around $3.8 billion. Zara’s parent company, Inditex, does roughly $5.1 billion in textile-related sales. None come close.

What makes Reliance different? Three things:

• Scale: It spins over 2 million bales of cotton annually - more than the entire textile output of Bangladesh and Vietnam combined.
• Technology: Its factories use AI-driven looms that reduce waste by 22% and cut production time by 30%. Robots handle 60% of the material handling in its largest plants.
• Vertical control: It owns cotton farms in Gujarat and Maharashtra, operates its own polyester plants, and even runs logistics fleets that deliver fabric directly to its retail stores. No third-party suppliers. No delays. No markups.

Other companies outsource. Reliance builds. That’s why it’s not just the richest - it’s the most efficient.

India’s textile dominance isn’t just about one company

Reliance may be the giant, but it’s not alone. India as a whole produces over 6% of the world’s textiles and accounts for 15% of global textile exports. The country has 1,200+ textile mills, 9 million+ workers in the sector, and 2,400+ textile clusters spread across states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

Other major Indian textile firms include:

• Arvind Limited: Known for premium denim and fabric innovation. Supplies brands like Levi’s and Tommy Hilfiger. Revenue: $2.1 billion.
• Vardhman Textiles: One of the largest spinning companies in Asia. Produces over 1.2 million bales of yarn yearly. Revenue: $1.8 billion.
• KPR Mill: A major exporter of woven fabrics and home textiles. Strong presence in Europe and the U.S. Revenue: $1.4 billion.

These companies are huge - but they’re still small compared to Reliance’s textile machine. They’re players. Reliance is the whole board.

What drives its financial power?

Reliance’s textile success isn’t accidental. It’s built on decades of strategic moves:

• Early adoption of automation: Started installing robotic systems in 2016 - years before competitors.
• Investment in sustainable fibers: Launched recycled polyester lines in 2020. Now 40% of its textile output uses recycled or organic materials.
• Integration with JioMart: Its retail arm sells 80 million garments annually through its app. No warehouse needed - fabric goes straight from factory to customer.
• Government support: Benefits from India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for textiles, which gives cash rebates of up to 12% on exports.

It’s not just about making fabric. It’s about owning the entire pipeline - from farm to fashion.

The hidden truth about textile wealth

Many assume the richest textile company must be European - think Hermès or Loro Piana. But those are luxury niche brands. Their revenue is high per item, but their total volume is tiny. Reliance doesn’t sell $500 sweaters. It sells 500 million T-shirts a year at $3 each. Volume + efficiency = massive profit.

And here’s the kicker: Reliance’s textile business is still growing. It’s building a new $3 billion textile park in Andhra Pradesh, set to open in late 2026. It will be the largest single textile facility in the world - 1,200 acres, 100% solar-powered, producing 800 million meters of fabric annually.

What this means for the global market

Reliance’s dominance is changing how the world buys fabric. Countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam, which used to be low-cost manufacturing hubs, are now struggling to compete. Why? Because Reliance doesn’t just make clothes cheap. It makes them cheaper and faster and greener.

Brands that once relied on outsourcing are now signing long-term contracts with Reliance. Nike, Uniqlo, and H&M have all increased their orders from Reliance by over 35% since 2022. Why? Because Reliance can deliver 10 million units in 14 days - and guarantee quality control.

The textile world used to be about labor costs. Now it’s about scale, speed, and technology. And Reliance Industries has redefined what’s possible.

Is Reliance’s lead sustainable?

Some analysts warn that China’s textile revival and automation push could challenge Reliance. But China’s costs are rising. Its cotton supply is limited. Its labor force is shrinking. Reliance has the opposite: cheap labor, abundant cotton, government incentives, and massive capital.

Plus, Reliance is already preparing for the next wave - AI-designed fabrics, blockchain-tracked supply chains, and zero-waste dyeing. It’s not resting on its current lead. It’s building the future.

Final takeaway

The richest textile company in the world isn’t a household name in Europe or North America. It’s an Indian giant that quietly controls more fabric production than most countries. Reliance Industries isn’t just rich - it’s reshaping the global textile landscape. And it’s not done yet.