Textile Focus organized Eurofins Assurance presents “Focus Talk on Go-Green Sustainable Practices in Bangladesh’s Textile & Apparel (T&A) Sector,” powered by Solar Home recently in Dhaka. The insightful event brought together industry leaders, sustainability advocates, and stakeholders to explore innovative green initiatives, renewable energy solutions, and environmentally responsible practices shaping the future of Bangladesh’s T&A industry.
As distinguished speakers, AKM Saifur Rahman Forhad, Vice President, BGBA; Masud Kabir, Managing Director, Motex Fashion; Ehsan Haq- Director, Knittex Industries Ltd.; Engr. Nasir Ullah, Country Director, Officina39; Azeezur Rahman Khan, Country Development Representative, The Woolmark Company; Ananta Ahmed, Managing Director, 360 Total Solution Limited; Mohammad Showket Iqbal, Fcs, General Manager, Epyllion Group were present. The session was moderated by Mohammad Monower Hossain, Chief Sustainability Officer, TEAM Group. Mohammad Ashraful Islam Riyadh, Editor, Textile Focus welcomed all for the insightful discussion while vote of thanks was given by Rashed Ahmed, Managing Director, Eurofins Assurance, Bangladesh and Pakistan. A brief discussion is giver below for our readers-
Sustainability must be embedded in policy, education and market systems
AKM Saifur Rahman Forhad, Vice President, BGBA
Sustainability is not just a theory—it’s a practical approach that must be integrated into everyday life, beyond just industries and urban areas. While global discussions often focus on cities, most of the world’s population lives in rural and semi-urban areas that remain overlooked. Although the United Nations introduced sustainability over 15 years ago, progress has been slow due to lack of education and business alignment. It’s rarely included in academic curricula, leaving entrepreneurs to learn it late—at high cost. Additionally, many sustainable businesses fail financially, highlighting the need for practical models. Buyers and brands often demand eco-compliance while squeezing prices, creating a gap between ethics and business reality. Moreover, country-of-origin bias—such as the undervaluation of “Made in Bangladesh”—hampers progress. Sustainability must be embedded in policy, education, and market systems. Only through shared responsibility, honest pricing, and global collaboration can sustainability become a truly effective and lasting practice.
There is a strong need for loan facilities under favorable conditions so that the country’s small industries can survive and achieve their targets
Masud Kabir, Managing Director, Motex Fashion
I am participating in this episode of Focus Talk as an SME representative because my industry is neither very large nor a LEED-certified factory. When it comes to exports, we face criticism regarding sustainable practices, including environmental pollution, water issues, unhealthy conditions for workers, and energy usage. If you observe, you’ll see that Bangladesh has more than 248 LEED-certified factories, and in contrast, we are exporting goods worth 40–50 billion dollars. Meanwhile, China exports around 182 billion dollars annually with just a little over 200 LEED-certified factories. Currently, due to US tariffs, most factories are struggling to maintain proper production. In addition to our high banking interest rates, there is a strong need for loan facilities under favorable conditions so that the country’s small industries can survive and achieve their targets.
Sustainability is not a one-time effort—it’s a long-term strategy to ensure business survival and growth.
Ehsan Haq, Director, Knittex Industries Limited
Since joining my family business in 2013, I’ve seen two types of second-generation leaders: those who succeed through hands-on learning and those who struggle due to lack of succession planning. In our industry, practical experience is crucial—you can’t lead without understanding production, costing, and operations.
At Knittex, we meet all major compliance standards (GOTS, GRS, RSC, Sedex, etc.), but real sustainability goes beyond certificates. It requires profitability to invest in better technology and practices, and a commitment to continuous improvement. As laws and audits in Europe shift focus to labor rights, we must prioritize fair wages, benefits, and worker well-being. Sustainability is not a one-time effort—it’s a long-term strategy to ensure business survival and growth.
Officina39, as an Italian brand, we aim to make sustainability a cost-saving advantage, not a burden
Engr. Md. Nasir Ullah, Country Director, Officina39
Today, I represent Italian Chemical Company, where we continuously develop sustainable chemical solutions for the textile industry. We believe sustainability must go beyond certification—it must be implemented. While we are ZDHC Gateway Level 3 and BLUESIGN® certified, our real focus is on scalable, practical innovations. One of our key developments is the AquaLess Mission, a water-saving and energy-efficient denim finishing process. It works on conventional machines and eliminates the need for stones, saving up to 75% water while operating at room temperature. This solution is already implemented in Grade A factories and is suitable for Grade B and C factories without increasing costs.
Our second innovation is Zero PP All-In, which replaces Potassium Permanganate (PP) using laser and ozone technologies. This streamlined, single-cycle process removes the need for PP, manual dry processing, and extra machine runs—saving both time and resources. Lastly, our patented recycling technology converts cutting waste into pigment powder for garment dyeing. Initially limited to light tones, it now supports a 15-color palette through minor synthetic blending. Officina39 ss Italian brand, we aim to make sustainability a cost-saving advantage, not a burden. Thank you again for this valuable exchange of ideas.
As EU regulations increasingly demand sustainable, durable products, wool presents a natural, biodegradable alternative to polyester
Azeezur Rahman Khan, Country Development Representative, The Woolmark Company
To clarify, I represent The Woolmark Company, we work to promote wool and educate manufacturers on its benefits. In Bangladesh, many factories hesitate to use wool due to perceived risks and lack of expertise. However, Merino wool is a high-quality, versatile fiber suitable even for performance wear. As EU regulations increasingly demand sustainable, durable products, wool presents a natural, biodegradable alternative to polyester. Encouragingly, some Bangladeshi mills are beginning to explore wool blends, including premium options like wool-cashmere. Technology like Shape Shifter can help optimize fabric usage and reduce waste, supporting sustainability goals. Wool is the most recycled fiber globally and far more recyclable than cotton or polyester. As production costs rise in other countries, interest from Korea and China is growing, creating opportunities for Bangladesh to lead in wool adoption. With the right mindset, this shift is both feasible and necessary for long-term growth.
True sustainability must be integrated across all factories in Bangladesh—not just a few.
Ananta Ahmed, Managing Director, 360 Total Solution Limited
While we celebrate 248 LEED-certified factories, in my view, we’ve barely begun the real sustainability journey. True sustainability must be integrated across all factories in Bangladesh—not just a few. Many still misunderstand sustainability. It rests on three pillars: people, planet, and profit. It’s not a cost—it’s an investment with a 3–5-year return. Profit is built into the sustainability model. Only when we chase certificates without real action does it become expensive. A green building shouldn’t cost 30% more. With proper design—better airflow, daylight use, etc.—costs should remain the same or lower. The only optional extra costs are solar and rainwater harvesting. Solar pays back in 4 years, and rainwater harvesting is essential due to future water scarcity.
We must also apply Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to operations. We often oversize machines, overuse energy, and neglect maintenance. For instance, one factory could save 10 crore BDT per year just by optimizing its energy systems. The gap is not technology—it’s knowledge and leadership. Sustainability must be a core business value, driven from the top. If done right, it ensures better profit, resilience, and long-term success—not just a certificate.
Take care of your people, they take care of your business
Mohammad Showket Iqbal, General Manager, Epyllion Group
At Epyllion, our core rules are the Human Spirit. Our core philosophy is: “Take care of your people, they take care of your business.” In our industry, we strive to appoint the right people at every level—from helpers to top management. Before undertaking any task, there must be a proper framework in place; this not only improves KPIs but also creates enthusiasm for work among everyone. According to our Chairman, those who work with me or those because of whom I have achieved success today are not my subordinates—they are my partners.
Over the years, sustainability has become central to business strategy
Mohammad Monower Hossain, Chief Sustainability Officer, Team Group
Over the years, sustainability has become central to business strategy. Globally, especially in Europe and the U.S.—our key markets—legislative frameworks are evolving rapidly. Europe’s Green Deal aims to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, emphasizing inclusive and responsible development. Similarly, global charters like the UN’s Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action and HRDD regulations reflect rising expectations. Consumers, especially Gen Z, now prioritize the environmental and social impact of their purchases. According to McKinsey, a product’s non-economic value will significantly influence buying decisions in the near future.
Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest apparel exporter, faces growing expectations from brands to report carbon emissions, water footprints, and adopt sustainable practices. While we’ve made progress—boasting 248+ LEED-certified factories and major investments in renewable energy—we are still at an early stage in our sustainability journey. Today’s discussion aims to gather insights from stakeholders to define our direction and priorities.
With everyone’s contribution, we can move forward and reach our goal together
Rashed Ahmed, Managing Director for Bangladesh & Pakistan, Eurofins Assurance
I have learned a lot from the diverse perspectives shared today. This journey we’re on is a collective effort—progress may be slow, but with everyone’s contribution, we can move forward and reach our goal together. We appreciate your time and participation, and we look forward to continuing these sessions with your ongoing support. We thank Textile Focus for organizing such an insightful event.
Our main objective is to drive some noteworthy insights from this discussion and circulate them for the development of the industry.
Mohammad Ashraful Islam, CEO, Marketo Services
“Focus Talk” is essentially a series of episodes where each event will be a separate session. The topic of our current event is sustainability. We have tried to bring on board key individuals from various sustainability parameters who are practically working for the industry. Our main objective is to extract some noteworthy insights from this discussion and circulate them, so that if we can add any value to the industry through it, our initiative will be considered successful.
