RIL in pact with Germany’s Resysta to manufacture recyclable wood

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on Wednesday announced the signing of a licensing agreement with Resysta International GmbH (Resysta) which gives RIL exclusive rights of production and marketing of `RelWood', a Natural Fiber Polymer Composite (NFPC), in India.

This compound can be used as raw material for the production of sheets and various profiles used in a wide range of wood and plywood replacement applications.

''Through this strategic partnership with Resysta, RIL is looking forward to produce the `RelWood' compound exclusively in order to meet the fast-growing demand of real alternative to tropical wood. This agreement is further evidence of RIL's commitment to sustainable initiatives based on innovative technology,'' Vipul Shah, COO Petchem, RIL, said.

''Resysta is a leading German innovator, and together we will offer Indian consumers cutting edge technological product as an alternative to natural wood,'' he said, adding, ''Some miracles happen and some are invented.''

Resysta succeeded where many others failed by developing a weather and water resistant material which truly has the look and feel of wood, is not affected by termites, does not splinter or rot over time, and is obtained using a renewable resource and is fully recyclable. It even weathers salt water, sun and wind. The material is a key innovation that was needed to address the crisis of shrinking rainforests, as well as the inferior quality of wood composite products that were used before. This is based on a unique technology which allows the dispersion of natural fiber within the polymer matrix, RIL stated in a release.

''We are currently licensing our technology across the world, and have found in Reliance Industries our perfect partner for India. By manufacturing the Resysta compound locally, the products become even more environment friendly and easily available. As a leading petrochemicals manufacturer in India, RIL is ideally poised to manufacture on a par with our high worldwide standard. We look forward to continuing Resysta's success story in India in partnership with RIL,'' Bernd Duna, CEO of Resysta International, said.