‘Backed By Reliance Industries, We’re Driven By Innovation And Ambition To Become One Of The World’s Leading Textile Giants’

Biji Chacko shares his strategic vision for the company in an exclusive interview with Henry Dsouza, Associate Editor of Textile Insights. With a steadfast focus on sustainability, advanced technology and operational efficiency, Chacko outlines how Alok Industries aims to redefine the global textile landscape. From embracing AI and renewable energy to capitalizing on government initiatives like the PLI and PM MITRA schemes, Chacko aims to steer Alok Industries toward becoming a global leader setting benchmarks for Indian textile industry.
 
What is your vision for Alok Industries and how do you plan to address current challenges while capitalizing on growth opportunities?
My vision for Alok Industries is to establish ourselves as a global leader in every vertical of the textile industry. We operate across both polyester and cotton value chains, with a diverse presence in areas such as polyester yarn, spun yarn, home textiles like  linen and bath products, apparel fabrics including woven fabrics and shirting, as well as technical fabrics, knitting, embroidery, garments and packaging. My ultimate goal is to position Alok Industries not only as a market leader in India but as a dominant force on the global stage, with a reputation for quality, innovation, and sustainability.

As we move forward, the textile industry is undoubtedly facing its share of challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the integration of advanced technologies and software solutions to enhance manufacturing processes. To address this, we are focusing on innovation, embracing automation, and upgrading our technology infrastructure across our facilities.

A critical focus for us is sustainable production. For me, sustainability goes beyond certifications or the use of recycled materials—it is about embedding sustainability into the very fabric of our operations. We are actively working to reduce our chemical and water consumption, minimize waste, and improve energy efficiency.

Apart from both these, we’re also investing in people—training our workforce to handle the demands of a rapidly evolving industry. By combining the right people, processes, and technology, I’m confident we can drive Alok Industries toward greater growth while addressing the industry’s challenges and seizing emerging opportunities.
 
On sustainability, how will you drive your initiatives at Alok Industries and align the company with global trends in sustainable textiles?
Sustainability is at the heart of Alok Industries’ vision, and we are committed to making it a core principle in every aspect of our operations. Our approach goes beyond mere compliance; it’s about fostering a culture of responsibility and innovation that aligns with global sustainability trends and leads the way for the future of textiles.

One of our primary focuses is water conservation with proper monitoring system across our plants to ensure we use water efficiently.  Additionally, we’re investing in water recycling, drastically reducing our overall water footprint. Reduction of waste generation and Energy efficiency are other  key areas where we’re making strides. On top of this, we’ve committed to increasing our renewable energy usage, with a focus on solar and wind energy. At our Vapi and Silvassa facilities, we’re targeting 100% reliance on solar energy within the next few years.

Moreover, we’ve been actively incorporating sustainable materials into our product lines. For example, we’ve increased the use of organic cotton, recycled polyester, and biodegradable fibers in our fabrics, reducing the environmental impact of our raw materials. We’re also exploring innovative textile recycling techniques to transform post-consumer waste into high-quality fibers, closing the loop in textile production.

Ultimately, our sustainability initiatives at Alok Industries are designed to go hand in hand with innovation. By integrating new technologies, embracing renewable energy, optimizing resource use, and continuously improving our processes, we aim to set a new standard in the textile industry—one that balances growth with environmental responsibility.

What are your immediate priorities as Group COO, particularly in production efficiency, market expansion and cost optimization?
As the Group COO of Alok Industries, my immediate priorities revolve around these three key pillars: production efficiency, market expansion, and cost optimization. These areas are integral to maintaining our competitive edge and ensuring sustainable growth, and I am focused on driving meaningful progress in each.

To enhance production efficiency, we are taking a strategic, tech-driven approach. We are working closely with key partners to develop customized software solutions tailored to Alok Industries’ operations. I am confident that these tools will be ready within the next 7-8 months and will streamline workflows, improve real-time decision-making, and enable data-driven insights. Beside technological advancements, our focus is also on training and upskilling our workforce to ensure they are more productive and equipped to operate the new systems effectively.

In terms of market expansion, we continue to see the U.S. as a key market for our home textile business, but we are also turning our attention to high-growth regions like the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America. On yarns, Fabrics and apparel side, we do have strong domestic presence apart from exports. Our goal is to strengthen Alok Industries’ global presence by tapping into these growing regions with solutions that resonate with both local and international customers.

Cost optimization is always a top priority and we are working on several fronts to improve operational efficiency, including optimizing the use of raw materials and improving utility efficiency. By better utilizing our resources, we can reduce waste and minimize excess consumption, directly impacting our bottom line. Additionally, I am leading efforts to renegotiate vendor contracts to ensure we are getting the best possible terms, while also focusing on reducing inventory levels. We aim to eliminate non-moving inventory within the next three months. This initiative will not only free up cash flow but will also reduce the need for working capital, resulting in a healthier financial position for the company.

In summary, my focus as Group COO is to ensure that we are continually evolving in response to market dynamics. By implementing cutting-edge technology, expanding into new markets, and driving cost-effective practices, we are positioning Alok Industries for long-term success.
 
How do you view the evolving demand for technical textiles and man-made fibres, and what role can Alok Industries play in these segments?
Alok Industries was once India’s leading technical fabric manufacturer and we are committed to regaining that position. Our focus is on specialty finishes like water repellency, flame retardancy, moisture management and other specialty finishes for industries such as automotive, healthcare, construction, defense and hospitality.

We aim to deliver innovative and high-performance technical fabrics, aligning with market demands and industry standards to reclaim our leadership in this segment.
 
What is your take on government initiatives like the PLI and PM MITRA schemes? How will they shape the future of Alok Industries?
Both the PLI (Production Linked Incentive) and PM MITRA schemes are excellent initiatives by the Indian government. The PLI scheme, in particular, revitalizes this capital-intensive industry by enhancing competitiveness. The textile and garment sector is labour-intensive, providing significant employment opportunities despite its low-profit margins.

The PM MITRA scheme promotes economies of scale with shared utilities like common ETPs s) and renewable energy supplies. This will be instrumental in Alok’s future expansions.

As India’s largest vertically integrated textile company, backed by Reliance Industries, we envision becoming one of the world’s largest textile companies. These schemes align perfectly with our growth plans and the government’s vision for Viksit Bharat.
 
What is your perspective on integrating AI and machine learning into the textile industry?
From my perspective, AI is not a replacement for human resources, but rather a complementary tool. It excels at automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks, freeing up our workforce to focus on more complex and value-added activities. For example, AI can be utilized for predictive maintenance, quality control, and inventory management, which can drastically reduce downtime and ensure consistent product quality.

At Alok Industries, we currently employ around 25,000 people, but our full capacity demands a much bigger number. With labor shortages and increasing costs, AI becomes a crucial solution to bridge these gaps. It can take on the heavy lifting in areas where there is a lack of skilled labor, while human workers can focus on more strategic, creative, and customer-oriented tasks.
 
What key lessons from your extensive career will guide your approach at Alok Industries?
The most critical lesson is ensuring 100% capacity utilization. This lays the foundation for reducing production costs and achieving economies of scale. Secondly, beyond internal achievements, we must focus on customer satisfaction, surpassing expectations and aligning with global standards.

As part of the Reliance Group, our efforts also extend to CSR activities and sustainability initiatives. Our ultimate goal is to make Alok Industries a global leader, setting benchmarks for the Indian textile industry.