In an era where sustainability is often spoken of but rarely scaled, Senthil Sankar stands as a transformative force, bridging innovation, impact, and entrepreneurship. As the Managing Director of Shree Renga Polyester Pvt Ltd (founded in 2008 and headquartered in Karur, Tamil Nadu, India) and Co-founder of EcoLine Clothing (launched in 2020)—India’s first fully sustainable, traceable fashion brand—Senthil has redefined what’s possible in the textile industry.
From Plastic to Prime Minister: Senthil Sankar’s Journey to Sustainable Fashion Leadership
Under his leadership, the company has pioneered bottle-to-fabric technology, dope-dyed manufacturing, and a global decentralisation model for polyester recycling. From recycling over 1.5 million PET bottles daily to creating garments worn by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on global forums, Senthil’s journey embodies purpose-driven leadership at its finest—earning him the title of Asia’s Most Admired Leaders 2025.
Rooted in Innovation and Legacy
Born into a family where entrepreneurship and innovation were more than business—they were a way of life, Senthil’s professional journey began with a Mechanical Engineering degree from Vellore Institute of Technology and executive education at IIM Ahmedabad. His early career at Tata Consultancy Services sharpened his analytical and problem-solving skills, but his heart remained in manufacturing, sustainability, and the opportunity to create a tangible impact.
Returning to his roots, he took the helm at Shree Renga Polyester and co-founded EcoLine Clothing—India’s first fully sustainable, traceable fashion brand made from recycled PET bottles. His work is driven by a deep commitment to turning waste into value, making sustainability scalable, and creating models that local entrepreneurs worldwide can replicate.
“I am a builder—not just of companies, but of ideas, systems, and people. I believe in creating legacies that outlast me,” says Senthil.
Lessons from a Visionary Father
The most profound influence in Senthil’s life has been his father, K. Sankar, the founder and Chairman of Shree Renga Polyester. “He taught me that success is not measured only by profit, but by the positive change we create in people’s lives. Watching him build a recycling business from scratch, at a time when sustainability was not yet a buzzword, deeply shaped my values,” shares Senthil.
A defining career moment came when Prime Minister Modi wore an EcoLine jacket at various international forums and on the world stage. It was not just a proud moment—it validated years of persistence, innovation, and belief in the power of sustainable manufacturing from India for the world.
Finding Opportunity in Waste
“My decision to enter the polyester recycling and sustainable fashion industry came from the realization that India’s waste problem was also a massive untapped resource. My background in engineering gave me the technical understanding to optimize manufacturing processes, while my IT experience trained me to think in systems, data, and scalability,” says Senthil.
His executive training at IIM Ahmedabad added strategic thinking and business acumen, enabling him to lead a vertically integrated operation—from recycling PET bottles to making garments. This blend of technical, managerial, and visionary skill sets has been critical to growing a business that is both commercially viable and environmentally responsible.
From Spark to Vision: The Moment That Started It All
The pivotal moment that led him into polyester recycling came during a visit to a landfill, where Senthil witnessed mountains of discarded PET bottles. He realized these bottles could be reborn as high-quality fibers and garments, creating a closed-loop, zero-waste system.
The founding mission of EcoLine was simple yet ambitious: turn plastic waste into valuable products while reducing the carbon footprint of clothing. Over time, this mission has evolved into a global decentralisation model—helping local entrepreneurs worldwide set up bottle-to-fabric facilities, create jobs, and reduce reliance on global supply chains.
Defeating the Early Hurdles to Succeed
When Senthil began, in the early years, convincing people that recycled polyester could match or even exceed the quality of virgin polyester was an uphill battle. The perception of “recycled” as “inferior” was deeply ingrained.
Overcoming this perception required relentless R&D, investment in dope-dyed technology (producing superior fibers and fabrics with massive carbon and water savings), and a focus on quality. From performance wear to Bhutan’s army clothing and India’s Siachen expedition gear, EcoLine proved that sustainability and performance could coexist.
Innovations Ahead of the Curve
Shree Renga Polyester and EcoLine Clothing form a vertically integrated ecosystem—from collecting PET bottles, converting them into hot-washed flakes, spinning them into high-grade yarns, and manufacturing fabrics and garments. Their dope-dyed technology eliminates traditional water-intensive dyeing, saving up to 95% water and significantly reducing carbon emissions. They integrate nanotechnology finishes for antimicrobial, UV protection, and odor-control properties—meeting and often exceeding global performance standards.
Upcoming plans include international expansion of decentralised manufacturing, textile-to-textile recycling, and developing bio-based polyester blends to further lower environmental impact.
Being a Leader Is an Attitude, Not a Title
“My core responsibilities include setting strategic direction, driving innovation, mentoring leadership teams, and building partnerships globally. I spend significant time evangelizing sustainability in forums, encouraging both industry and consumers to adopt circular economy practices,” says Senthil. “My leadership style can be summed up in three words: Vision-led, People-first, and Resilient,” he added.
Participating in Life and Business at a High Level
“For me, balance is not about equal hours—it’s about presence. When I’m at work, I’m fully engaged; when I’m with family, I’m fully there. I start my mornings with reading and quiet reflection, and I make time for travel that inspires fresh ideas,” expresses Senthil.
“I also believe in building strong second-line leaders, which allows me to delegate effectively and free up time for strategic thinking, and for life outside work,” he continued.
Picture of the Future with Global Vision
Looking ahead, Senthil envisions that in the next two years, the company will transition from India’s leading sustainable textiles manufacturer to a global model for decentralised polyester production. Plans include advanced automation, AI-driven quality control, and expanding R&D into bio-based materials. Strategically, they will be forming partnerships across Asia, Africa, and Latin America to replicate their model locally.
“Personally, my goal is to build an ecosystem that outlives my direct involvement—empowering local entrepreneurs, creating green jobs, and ensuring that sustainable fashion becomes the norm, not the niche. Professionally, I want EcoLine to be synonymous worldwide with quality, innovation, and environmental stewardship,” asserts Senthil.
A Tip to the Starters
Senthil’s message to future changemakers is clear:
“Focus on impact over applause. Build something that solves a real problem and can stand the test of time. The journey will be long, and challenges will be plenty, but your conviction must outlast the noise.”
“Also, don’t be afraid to combine profitability with purpose—the two are not mutually exclusive. The future belongs to businesses that are not just successful, but significant.”
