Textile Focus & RedCarpet Global successfully organized their regular event “5th Tex Talk- talking about textile” on “Sustainable Textile Processing- Bangladesh perspective”, on October 27, 2023, at International Convention City Bashundhara, Dhaka.
The session was held on the 2nd day of BIGTEX, Bangladesh Int’l Garment & Textile Machinery Expo, and its concurrent exhibitions 7th Bangladesh International Fabric & Yarn Expo, 7th Bangladesh International Printing, Packaging & Signage Expo, 7th Bangladesh International Dyes, Pigment & Chemicals Expo and 3P Expo – Bangladesh International Paper, Printing & Packaging Expo organized by RedCarpet Global.
The panel discussion was moderated by Bhaskar Ranjan Saha, Chief Business Officer and Managing Director, The Analyst Limited where Engr. Shamim Rahman, Director, Southwest Composite Ltd, and Vice President ITET; Engr. S.M Abdur Rahman, President AOPTB; Engr. Mehedi Hasan, Founder President, BGWTF and General Manager, Sterling Laundry Ltd; Israt Jahan, Managing Director, Apparel Resources BD and Syed Tasnem Mahmood, CEO, Greenbud were present as panel member. M A Islam Riyadh, Editor and publisher of Textile Focus, and Ahmed Imtiaz, CEO of Redcarpet Global were also present in the session.
There are 5P keywords for sustainability People, Planet, Peach, Partnership and Pollution for the industrial process
Shamim Rahman, Director, Southwest Composite Ltd; Vice President ITET
There are 5P keywords for sustainability People, Planet, Peach, Partnership, and Pollution for the industrial process and so we must focus on these key areas to sustain the business for the long run and help to save the world for the next generation. As a manufacturing unit, we believe sustainability may not be achievable unless all the partners namely Buyers and Manufacturers work together. We should keep a common goal and practice sustainability in all industrial processes.
The challenge for sustainability in the RMG sector is to change the Buyer’s mindset that Bangladesh is very cheap for sourcing apparel goods. However, the country is now in the lead for sustainability in the manufacturing process with 200 green factories. So, the sustainable process might need a fair price from the Brands and help to reduce demand for overburden certificates.
The cost of materials of print is getting very high along with the power crisis in the sector halting sustainable process productivity.
S.M Abdur Rahman, President AOPTB
Printing is a part of value addition on the garments and so the printing industry in Bangladesh is growing rapidly. But there are two ways of doing print on a garment – one is conventional and the other is digital. Conventional printing methods are more likely to hamper the environment whereas digital printing is more sustainable for business and saves the environment. The cost of materials of print is getting very high along with the power crisis in the sector halting the sustainable process as well as productivity.
As part of the sustainable printing process, ETP is now mandatory for all printing industries that are doing print on garments. If it is considered for water and energy reduction to ensure sustainability, then digital printing is the best quality option. But due to the higher in cost buyer wants something like digital print, just to get the digital effect and not to pay for sustainability. Here, nothing can be done to determine an environment-friendly printing process if buyers are not stepping forward for sustainable partnerships with the printing industry.
Washing technologists are adding value directly to the garment’s price through their washing method and process knowledge
Mehedi Hasan, Founder President, BGWTF and GM, Sterling Laundry Ltd.
Washing technologists are adding value directly to the garment’s price through their washing method and process knowledge. Realizing the skill development for the washing technologist Bangladesh government is soon to be starting NSDA (National Skill Development Authority) with an 800-crore budget for anyone who wants to develop skill and knowledge in the washing sector. At present, we have highly efficient washing technologists who are working in the country’s brand office successfully. Ten years back we did not have many experts but now Textile graduates are coming to work in the sector.
For sustainable washing, we need proper utilization of natural resources like water. Right now, Bangladesh is using pure drinking water for washing from underground, but Brands never consider paying something for this valuable resource. So, we must use ETP to reuse and reprocess the water for a healthy environment. On the other hand, we must go for a technology-based process to reduce water consumption.
We feel the buyer should provide additional sustainable costs that are really needed for sustainable processes
Israt Jahan, Managing Director, Apparel Resources BD
At present Bangladesh is a hub of sustainable business for apparel manufacturing where the world’s top 200 green factories are making garments. Brands are coming to Bangladesh to place their sustainable product because they have also committed to their customers to green initiatives. However, the requirement of various certifications for sustainability increases cost in the process so apparel producer fails to provide the best competitive price. We feel the buyer should provide additional sustainable costs that are really needed for sustainable processes. For the next level of green initiative, the new generation should also come forward to set a sustainable goal in the sector for sustainable business.
Factory people used to come to utilize the free production space in the garment during off season but during peak season they show excuses of being overbooked and never consider that the Buyer also needs support for doing business to survive in the peak season as well. This is a vice versa support for a sustainable business and stay profitable.
We are assisting to get financial support from the government of Bangladesh and other international sources that work for sustainability.
Syed Tasnem Mahmood, CEO, Greenbud
Greenbud provides all kinds of services related to green certification along with a mutual partnership with the apparel industry. We also have a service of energy-saving plan for sustainability and cost reduction. In this regard, we are assisting to get financial support from the government of Bangladesh and other international sources that work for sustainability.
Bangladesh is now a hub of sustainable industry where the world’s 200 best green factories have been established. Green factories are mainly focused on energy saving, cost reduction, and protecting the environment. In line with international standards, Bangladesh is now maintaining a sustainable process. This shows the advancement of the textile industry in terms of certifications and sustainable practices.
The Moderator Bhaskar Ranjan Saha, Chief Business Officer and Managing Director, The Analyst Limited summed up the discussion and mentioned different aspects of process development. We are still far behind in capacity building and skill. We need to focus on automation at the same time we need to train the man behind the machine. At the end of the session, the distinguished guests received a crest as a token of love from the organizer for their valuable speech and attendance. In the session, many of the trade visitors, students, and industry professionals attended as an audience to know the progress and prospects of sustainable apparel business in Bangladesh.
