Grasim Industries has implemented a leadership realignment within its Cellulosic Fashion Yarn (CFY) business, effective January 16, 2026. Ajit Rajagopalan has taken over as CEO, succeeding Satyaki Ghosh. As part of this internal transition, the leadership of the fashion yarn vertical has been integrated with oversight of the company’s insulators business, reflecting Grasim’s intent to drive greater operational efficiency, synergies, and streamlined management. The change comes at a time when the Indian textile industry is navigating a difficult operating environment. While domestic demand is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.3 per cent through 2033, near-term pressures on exports remain a concern.

The sector is currently facing uncertainty due to a proposed 20 per cent safeguard duty by Bangladesh on Indian cotton and blended yarns. With close to 30 per cent of yarn output from clusters such as Vidarbha exported to Bangladesh, the potential tariff could result in excess domestic supply and margin pressure for manufacturers. At the same time, Grasim’s CFY business, despite recording a modest 3 per cent volume growth in late 2025, continues to encounter intense price competition from Chinese producers.

In response to these challenges, Grasim is sharpening its emphasis on its flagship Liva and Raysil brands, with a clear focus on the sustainable apparel segment, which now accounts for nearly 67 per cent of textile applications in the domestic market. Market observers believe that the consolidation of leadership will help fast-track the company’s ‘Sustainability 3.0’ strategy, with increased emphasis on digital quality assurance systems and circular fibre innovations aimed at preserving competitiveness in premium fashion categories.

A flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, Grasim Industries is a global leader in Man-Made Cellulosic Fibres (MMCF). The company holds a dominant position in viscose filament yarn and staple fibre through its well-established Liva and Raysil brands. With a legacy in textiles dating back to 1947, Grasim is now pursuing aggressive growth across technical textiles and sustainable fashion segments, supported by a strong consolidated revenue base of approximately Rs 1.6 trillion.