Chief Executive and Business Head, Knits, Mr. Arvind Maurya, talks freely with Sadhana Mishra of Textile South Asia about the recently launched collection, the textile industry, and how the company is contributing to the development of sustainable alternatives in textile.
Textile South Asia – Could you tell us about your company and how has the journey been so far for you?
Arvind Maurya – RSWM Limited, the flagship company of the LNJ Bhilwara Group, stands as one of India’s leading textile manufacturers with a rich legacy spanning over six decades. Our journey has been marked by continuous growth, innovation, and adaptation to evolving market dynamics. We’ve strategically expanded our operations across various textile segments, including Greige Yarns, Melantra, LNJ Knits, and LNJ Denim. Our 12 state-of-the-art manufacturing plants across North India are equipped with 625,000 spindles, 172 looms, and 95 circular and flat knitting machines, showcasing our commitment to quality and scale.
LNJ Knits, the knitted fabric division of RSWM Limited, has emerged as a key player in the market. Our advanced machinery and manufacturing capabilities span both the cotton and polyester value chains. With plants located in Banswara and Mathura, LNJ Knits has a collective manufacturing capacity of 9,000 metric tons per annum. This includes 7,000 MT for fashion wear and 2,000 MT for active and athleisure wear. Our dynamic product range includes various structures like single jersey, interlock, rib, brushed fleece, flat back rib, terry, pique, and spandex-based fabrics. We also provide specialty finishes such as antimicrobial, UV protection, wicking, water and stain repellent, and antibacterial treatments. LNJ Knits benefits from strong backward integration through in-house production of cotton blends, poly spun, recycled poly spun, yarn dyed, and mélange yarns. On the sustainability front, we adhere to Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms and utilize renewable energy, complying with all GOTS, OCS, OEKO-TEX, BCI, and GRS certifications.
I joined RSWM as the Head of the Knits Business in October 2023, bringing with me 23 years of rich experience in the knitted fabric industry. Prior to this, I was with Alok Industries Ltd. for over 20 years, serving as the CEO of the Knits business. My experience with RSWM Limited has been incredibly rewarding, as the company is deeply rooted in systematic and policy-driven operations. LNJ Knits, being the youngest vertical in the group, is continuously focused on expansion and innovation. Our near future goal is to increase the existing capacity to 1,200 tons per month with the addition of a printing facility.
TSA – Can you elaborate on the newly launched collection that you have showcased at Yarnex 2024? What inspired the theme for the collection?
Arvind Maurya – At Yarnex 2024, we launched LNJ Knits’ Autumn-Winter 2025-26 collection titled “Soul – A Collection of Whispers” and our Active Wear collection titled “VELOCITY by RSWM”. This innovative line of knitted fabrics embodies the essence of subtle luxury and mindful design, perfectly balancing comfort with contemporary style.
We had launched our SS25 collection at Bharatex, which received an overwhelming response from our customers. This encouraged us to come up with the A/W 2025-26 collection, which is again getting a great response from brands all across the globe. We drew inspiration from the feedback received from brands and various trend forecasting websites. We’ve created a range of knitted fabrics that speak to both comfort and refined aesthetics. Our aim was to capture the tranquil, soothing elements of the winter season and translate them into knits that not only look beautiful but also feel serene to the touch and provide that much-needed warmth.
For the color palette, we drew inspiration from the WGSN Forecast for Autumn/Winter 2025-26. The collection features an array of hues, including muted earth tones, soft pastels, and deep rich shades that evoke the changing seasons. These colors are carefully incorporated into our knitted fabrics to reflect the subtle transitions in nature during autumn and winter.
Our knitted collection caters to a wide range of applications. It’s suitable for luxurious loungewear, elegant casual pieces, and even sophisticated outerwear for men, women, and children. The versatility of our knitted fabrics allows designers to create everything from cozy, comfortable home wear to stylish outdoor apparel. We’ve leveraged our expertise in knitting technologies to create fabrics that not only look good but also provide the comfort and functionality that modern consumers demand. Our range includes various knit structures such as single jersey, interlock, rib, fleece, and more, each designed to meet specific performance and aesthetic requirements.
TSA – How does this new collection reflect RSWM’s commitment to eco-consciousness and sustainability?
Arvind Maurya – Our new collection exemplifies RSWM’s dedication to eco-consciousness and sustainability. It showcases our efforts to produce high-quality knitted fabrics that fulfill both the aesthetic and functional needs of our customers while aligning with our environmental responsibilities. This collection incorporates a substantial amount of sustainable fibers, including organic cotton, recycled polyester and cotton, and innovative fibers like modal and lyocell. These materials are chosen for their reduced environmental impact compared to traditional alternatives.
Aligned with RSWM’s broader sustainability goals, we have ensured that the production process for this collection minimizes resource consumption. Our knitting facilities increasingly rely on renewable energy, with 43% of our power coming from solar and wind sources, significantly reducing our carbon footprint. Water conservation is another critical aspect of our sustainability efforts. We have implemented advanced dyeing and finishing techniques that greatly reduce water usage, and our zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system ensures that no wastewater is released into the environment. Instead, it is treated and reused in our processes. We are also targeting to convert our existing partial coal-based utility to 100% biomass by 2025.
TSA – How do you ensure that this collection appeals to a diverse audience, including men, women, and kids?
Arvind Maurya – Our “Soul – A Collection of Whispers” is thoughtfully designed to cater to a diverse audience, including men, women, and children. To better reach our target audience, we presented the collection in garment form for easy reference. This was achieved through versatile fabric designs for both top and bottom weights, a wide-ranging color palette, and adaptable knit structures that meet various fashion needs across demographics.
For men, we’ve included fabrics suitable for both casual and semi-formal wear, with textures and weights ideal for shirts, polo tees, and light outerwear. The women’s range features options from comfortable loungewear to elegant dresses, with varying degrees of stretch and drape to suit different styles. For children, we focused on creating durable, comfortable fabrics that withstand active play while maintaining style. Our active wear collection offers the finest range of polyester fabrics combined with spandex and moisture-wicking properties to meet industry standards.
TSA – What is the future of the knitting industry?
Arvind Maurya – The future of the knitting industry in India looks promising as we are one of the largest cotton-producing countries in the world, driven by technological advancements, government initiatives, and evolving consumer trends. Advanced knitting machines enhance efficiency while reducing energy consumption and operational costs. This shift towards sustainable manufacturing, including the use of recycled yarns from PET bottles and old textiles, is essential for minimizing our environmental footprint and meeting global standards.
Most global brands want to reduce their dependency on China and are working on a China-plus-one policy. I believe that India has the potential to take maximum advantage of this opportunity. Being a labor-intensive industry, we have an advantage on this front as well, but we need to focus on skill training as an industry to ensure the availability of skilled workers.
Market trends and consumer preferences are also significant drivers of future growth. There is a rising demand for casual and active wear fueled by a global shift towards health and wellness. Our industry is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, offering a range of products catering to this growing market. By embracing technological advancements, leveraging government support, and staying attuned to market trends, we are poised to lead the industry into a new era of sustainability and success.
TSA – What kind of fabric do you use in knitting?
Arvind Maurya – LNJ Knits offers a dynamic product range comprising knitted fabrics suitable for fashion wear with a capacity of 7,000 MT per annum and active and athleisure wear with a capacity of 2,000 MT per annum. We produce fabrics in various structures, including single jersey, interlock, rib, brushed fleece, flat back rib, terry, pique, and spandex-based fabrics. We also offer finishes like antimicrobial, UV protection, wicking, water and stain repellent, and antibacterial treatments.
We employ a variety of sustainable fibers, including organic PSCP, BCI, CMIA, Regen Agri, recycled cotton and polyester, modal, bamboo, and lyocell. These are often blended to create fabrics that combine performance with sustainability. The company has introduced an innovative range of natural fiber fabrics made from flax, hemp, ramie, nettle, jute, and banana, further expanding our eco-friendly offerings. Our focus is on creating knitted fabrics that embody both comfort and refined aesthetics, aligning with global trends towards eco-conscious and high-performance textiles.
TSA – Which regions or markets does RSWM identify as having significant growth potential in the knitting sector?
Arvind Maurya – At LNJ Knits, we see significant growth potential in both domestic and international markets. The rise of organized retail in India is driving year-on-year increases in consumption. Our dedicated marketing teams for both export and domestic markets are focused on expanding our customer base. We work closely with brands for nominations, garment exporters, and buying houses. Internationally, our current market presence includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Africa, and Vietnam.
TSA – Do you have any message for our readers?
Arvind Maurya – At LNJ Knits, we are committed to creating value for our stakeholders, with a strong focus on research and development to deliver the most innovative products to the market, keeping pace with the ever-changing fast fashion trends. Post-COVID, we have observed a global shift in garment consumption patterns towards knitted fabrics due to their comfort and ease of maintenance. This shift is driving faster growth in knitted fabrics compared to woven fabrics.
We believe sustainability is not just a buzzword but a practice essential for protecting Mother Nature and future generations. We are dedicated to meeting our customers’ needs and will continue to offer forward-thinking products in the future.
