diff --git a/lib/axlsx/package.rb b/lib/axlsx/package.rb
index da661b34..2e9e14fc 100644
--- a/lib/axlsx/package.rb
+++ b/lib/axlsx/package.rb
@@ -100,11 +100,13 @@ def workbook=(workbook) DataTypeValidator.validate :Package_workbook, Workbook,
     #   File.open('example_streamed.xlsx', 'w') { |f| f.write(s.read) }
     def serialize(output, confirm_valid=false)
       return false unless !confirm_valid || self.validate.empty?
-      Relationship.clear_cached_instances
+      Relationship.initialize_cached_instances
       Zip::OutputStream.open(output) do |zip|
         write_parts(zip)
       end
       true
+    ensure
+      Relationship.clear_cached_instances
     end
 
 
@@ -113,11 +115,13 @@ def serialize(output, confirm_valid=false)
     # @return [StringIO|Boolean] False if confirm_valid and validation errors exist. rewound string IO if not.
     def to_stream(confirm_valid=false)
       return false unless !confirm_valid || self.validate.empty?
-      Relationship.clear_cached_instances
+      Relationship.initialize_cached_instances
       zip = write_parts(Zip::OutputStream.new(StringIO.new, true))
       stream = zip.close_buffer
       stream.rewind
       stream
+    ensure
+      Relationship.clear_cached_instances
     end
 
     # Encrypt the package into a CFB using the password provided
diff --git a/lib/axlsx/rels/relationship.rb b/lib/axlsx/rels/relationship.rb
index 99dad367..66f53b2a 100644
--- a/lib/axlsx/rels/relationship.rb
+++ b/lib/axlsx/rels/relationship.rb
@@ -8,20 +8,28 @@ class << self
       # Keeps track of all instances of this class.
       # @return [Array]
       def instances
-        @instances ||= []
+        Thread.current[:axlsx_relationship_cached_instances] ||= []
       end
-      
-      # Clear cached instances.
+
+      # Initialize cached instances.
       # 
       # This should be called before serializing a package (see {Package#serialize} and
       # {Package#to_stream}) to make sure that serialization is idempotent (i.e. 
       # Relationship instances are generated with the same IDs everytime the package
       # is serialized).
+      def initialize_cached_instances
+        Thread.current[:axlsx_relationship_cached_instances] = []
+      end
+      
+      # Clear cached instances.
+      # 
+      # This should be called after serializing a package (see {Package#serialize} and
+      # {Package#to_stream}) to free the memory allocated for cache.
       # 
       # Also, calling this avoids memory leaks (cached instances lingering around 
       # forever). 
       def clear_cached_instances
-        @instances = []
+        Thread.current[:axlsx_relationship_cached_instances] = nil
       end
       
       # Generate and return a unique id (eg. `rId123`) Used for setting {#Id}. 
@@ -30,7 +38,7 @@ def clear_cached_instances
       # {clear_cached_instances} will automatically reset the generated ids, too.
       # @return [String]
       def next_free_id
-        "rId#{@instances.size + 1}"
+        "rId#{instances.size + 1}"
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/test/rels/tc_relationship.rb b/test/rels/tc_relationship.rb
index add1654f..845f789e 100644
--- a/test/rels/tc_relationship.rb
+++ b/test/rels/tc_relationship.rb
@@ -13,6 +13,14 @@ def test_instances_with_same_attributes_share_id
     instance = Axlsx::Relationship.new(source_obj, Axlsx::WORKSHEET_R, 'target')
     assert_equal instance.Id, Axlsx::Relationship.new(source_obj, Axlsx::WORKSHEET_R, 'target').Id
   end
+
+  def test_instances_cache_is_thread_safe
+    cache1, cache2 = nil
+    t1 = Thread.new { cache1 = Axlsx::Relationship.instances }
+    t2 = Thread.new { cache2 = Axlsx::Relationship.instances }
+    [t1, t2].each(&:join)
+    assert_not_same(cache1, cache2)
+  end
   
   def test_target_is_only_considered_for_same_attributes_check_if_target_mode_is_external
     source_obj = Object.new
diff --git a/test/tc_package.rb b/test/tc_package.rb
index d89f35b0..4bd0d429 100644
--- a/test/tc_package.rb
+++ b/test/tc_package.rb
@@ -236,6 +236,8 @@ def test_to_stream
     # this is just a roundabout guess for a package as it is build now
     # in testing.
     assert(stream.size > 80000)
+    # Cached instances should be cleared
+    assert(Axlsx::Relationship.instances.empty?)
   end
 
   def test_encrypt