Alcis Sports: India’s Eco-Friendly T-Shirts Made from PET Bottles

Saurabh Tankha

Imagine the PET bottle you took a sip from to gulp down your favourite soft drink coming back to you in a form you can wear. In times when discussions about cutting down plastic to save the environment never seem to stop, one Indian company has innovated by turning PET bottles into high-performance T-shirts.

Wonder Tee & Wonder Polo: Sustainable and Stylish

Aptly named Wonder Tee and Wonder Polo, each T-shirt is made from recycled polyester, using about eight PET bottles per piece. These T-shirts are lighter and softer than conventional alternatives, combining sustainability with comfort and style.

A performance wear brand, Alcis Sports, was launched by the promoters of Paragon Apparels Pvt Ltd, India’s largest manufacturer and exporter of sportswear. “We, at Alcis, feel proud to be the first Indian brand capable of producing technologically advanced sportswear at affordable prices, enhancing the performance of the wearer,” shares Roshan Baid, Managing Director of Alcis Sports.

Eco-Friendly Fashion with RPET Technology

Traditional polyester production consumes massive amounts of water, chemicals, and fossil fuels. Its by-products pollute air and water, causing health hazards. Alcis Sports tackles this by using RPET (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate), a strong, durable, and recyclable material made from soda, water, and food jars. RPET is environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and performs better than 100% virgin polyester.

“These ultra-light T-shirts weigh just 85–90g and feature a dynamic drying finish that prevents sweat and moisture buildup, making them comfortable and easy to maintain. Available in multiple colours and priced between ₹399–₹699, the T-shirts also feature anti-microbial and anti-static finishes,” adds Baid.

Consumer demand for eco-conscious products drove this innovation. “Many people disliked virgin polyester, a non-sustainable synthetic fiber. We offered them a solution at affordable prices,” he says.

Roshan Baid, managing director, Alcis Sports.

From Fabric Mill to Nationwide Reach

Baid started his own fabric mill in 2012 after establishing printing and embroidery factories. “I wanted everything under one roof to reduce dependency and streamline production. Profits were channelled into infrastructure, which is now evident in Paragon Apparels, India’s largest fully integrated sportswear manufacturer—from yarn to retail,” explains Baid.

Alcis Sports now has a presence in over 700 outlets across India, including Lifestyle, Shopper’s Stop, Central, Globus, and Sports Station, as well as online platforms like Jabong, Myntra, Amazon, and Flipkart. They also operate eight exclusive brand stores in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Bengaluru. Television personalities Karan Tacker and Lauren Gottlieb, along with cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, endorse the brand.

National and International Expansion

Baid reveals, “We plan to open 15 more exclusive brand stores across India and reach 1,000 retailers by the end of 2018. Internationally, we’ve just forayed into the UAE.”

Alcis Sports has also served as the licensed apparel partner for the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017. Besides, it was the official kit partner of the 2018 Kabaddi Dubai Masters.

Alcis Sports: Vibrant, Sustainable, and Truly Indian

Baid sums up the brand’s vision: “Alcis Sports wants to be as vibrant as India itself. There’s so much life, color, and energy around us, and our mission is to reflect that in our products. We want to embrace Indian sensibilities while offering eco-friendly, performance-oriented, stylish sportswear.”

Alcis Sports is proving that sustainability, style, and performance can coexist, setting a benchmark for India’s eco-conscious fashion industry.