Reliance Industries (RIL) claims to be India's largest private sector enterprise. It is a major player in the Indian petrochemicals sector. Reliance's operations capture value addition at every stage from producing crude oil and gas to polyester and polymer products and are vertically integrated to the production of textiles. 
Company movements
Please see India's Reliance offers to acquire control of LyondellBasell on ICIS news.
In March 2009, the merger of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Reliance Petroleum Limited (RPL) was approved by the companies' boards. The merger is subject to regulatory approval. (Please go to ICIS news for more information on this story).
On 5 September 2007, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (IPCL) merged together.
The merger proposal between RIL and IPCL was first announced on 10 March 2007.
Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited
Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (IPCL) is a petrochemicals company located in India. It was established on 22 March 1969, with a view to promote and encourage the use of plastics in India. Its business comprises of polymers, synthetic fibre, fibre intermediaries, solvents, surfactants, industrial chemicals, catalysts, adsorbents and polyesters.
The company operates three petrochemical complexes, a naphtha based complex at Vadodara and gas based complex each at Nagothane near Mumbai and at Dahej on Narmada estuary in bay of Khambhat.
Polymers
RIL’s polymer business is integrated with its cracker at Hazira as well as the refinery at Jamnagar, which ensures feedstock availability at all times. Within India, RIL says it is the largest producer of polypropylene, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with a market share in these products of 52%.
Polyester
RIL claims to be the largest producer of polyester staple fibre (PSF) and polyester filament yarn (PSF) in the world. This sector also produces polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Within India, RIL has a market share of approximately 54% for these products.
Fibre intermediates
RIL says it is the largest producer of all fibre intermediates, in India. RIL says it is the 3rd largest paraxylene (PX) and 4th largest purified terephthalic acid (PTA) producer in the world. Within India, RIL is the largest producers of monoethylene glycol (MEG).
Cracker Products
RIL operates one of the world's largest multi-feed crackers at Hazira, with a capacity of around 750,000 tonnes/year. Production of ethylene and propylene was captivity consumed to the extent of 97%. Benzene, toluene and other by-product production was consistent with feedstock characteristics. RIL held its 45% domestic benzene market position. RIL produces ultra pure toluene suitable for the manufacture of toluene di-isocyanate, benzoic acid, and chloro toluene.
LPG
RIL produces commercial grade butane from its cracker at Hazira. Packed LPG is marketed as “Reliance Gas” in cylinders to domestic and commercial customers. Bulk product is sold directly to industrial users for use as fuel and to private bottlers.
Chemicals
Under the umbrella name of “Chemicals”, RIL have grouped products belonging to the following four sectors:
Aromatics
Solvents
Linear alkyl benzene
Cracker products
RIL claims to be the country's largest producer and exporter of linear alkyl benzene (LAB), a surfactant ingredient used in the manufacture of detergents. Most of the production was consumed captivity for the production of LAB.
Oil & Gas
RIL's oil and gas interests form an operating division of RIL. It holds a 30% interest in an unincorporated joint venture with British Gas and ONGC to develop proven oil and gas fields at Panna, Mukta and Tapti. British Gas has a 30% share and ONGC the balance 40% share.
Textiles
RIL claims to be India's largest synthetic textiles manufacturer with its textiles complex at Naroda, Ahmedabad, being one of Asia's largest and most modern textile mills. The complex houses one of the largest and most modern design studios in Asia.
RIL's textile products are sold under the brand names of Only Vimal, Harmony, Reance, Ruerel, and V2. Only Vimal, RIL's flagship brand, is said to be India's largest selling brand of premium textiles.
Reliance Industries
Strategy & Financial Highlights
Reliance Industries (RIL) has the clear message that while its growth is “planned and focused”, it is also “spontaneous and self-energising”. In addition, the company states that it is “on the path to improving its global ranking” in polymers by building “extremely competitive” new assets in India. (Edited from annual report and company website). ICIS also provides you with key financial data listed in table form.
More about Reliance Industries Strategy & Financial Highlights
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