Maeen Md. Khairul Akter, Managing Editor, Textile Focus
Sustainability in the textile industry has become an extensively debated issue due to the nature of the industry. Textiles are considered globally as one of the most hazardous both to the environment and society if not operated in a controlled way. Unfortunately, in Bangladesh textile industry still has a huge scope for improvement. Without being sustainable the survival of the textile industries is becoming difficult. The first reason behind the current situation of the industries is the lack of knowledge of the concept of sustainability. The following infographics are aimed at answering the question: how the textile and apparel industry of Bangladesh can be developed in a sustainable way?
The prominence of the Bangladesh Textile and Apparel (T&A) Industry
Bangladesh’s Textile and Apparel (T&A) industry is becoming more and more important not only for the country’s economy but also as a major supplier of ready-wear apparel to the global market with the second highest capacity in apparel and a fast-growing textile base.
Substantial Growth is on the Card
Bangladesh apparel exports are the 2 nd highest after China with a 6.5% global market share. The chart here clearly depicts that huge growth potential is waiting for the apparel industry in the upcoming days as the gap with China is huge. The textile industry also must grow to meet the increasing demand of yarn and fabrics.
Bangladesh still to make a Footprint as a Textile Exporter
Although the 2nd largest apparel exporter, Bangladesh is still to emerge as a textile manufacturer and exporting country. The global textile market is also led by China followed by EU, India, Turkey, Vietnam and Hong Kong. To be sustainable in the apparel business Bangladesh must develop its capacity of the textile industry so that the apparel export is not dependent on the imports of textiles.
The EPZ statistics show how most of the earned money is drained out to the textile supplier countries. It’s almost half of the total income. How can be a business sustainable if it cannot produce the raw materials and components locally and depend on other countries? So without strengthening the backward linkage of the apparel supply chain it will be hard to survive in the upcoming competitive era of global business.
Major Ecological and Social Challenges in Textile Industry
Textile is one of the most hazardous engineering processes. Especially the wet processing industry produces a huge amount of effluents that are polluting our water base extensively. So the sustainable development of the textile industries must be keeping in mind the negative impacts on the environment and proper mitigation plans must be implemented.
Principles to Achieve Sustainability
Textile is one of the most hazardous engineering processes. Especially the wet processing industry produces a huge amount of effluents that are polluting our water base extensively. So the sustainable development of the textile industries must be keeping in mind the negative impacts on the environment and proper mitigation plans must be implemented. To achieve sustainable development these are the five principles that the industry must adopt. But achieving all these is associated with costs. Businesses cannot adopt sustainable principles compromising competitiveness. That is the balance the industry must find out to adopt sustainable practices gradually so that the additional costs associated with going sustainable don’t affect competitiveness.
How Competitiveness Can be Achieved
Achieving sustainable principles without compromising competitiveness can be ensured through new product development, quality improvement, productivity improvement, cost control and adopting green and eco-friendly initiatives gradually. All these competitive parameters of the industry will contribute to adopting the respective sustainable principles.
Sustainable Manufacturing and Clean Environment
Sustainable manufacturing is manufacturing products with such process that are not polluting, conserve energy and natural resources, are economically sound and are safe for employees, communities and consumers. Industry must continuously look for less hazardous options for production and ensure proper mitigation plan accordingly. Running vigorous awareness-building and knowledge-sharing programs and strengthening law and law enforcement agencies are also important to ensure a clean environment.
The Reality in terms of Sustainability; Where are We Now?
- Industry owners are more aware today, and many of them are investing/ transforming to sustainable solutions in terms of the environment – the growing number of LEED-certified green industries is an indicator.
- Sustenance became hard for the industries reluctant to embrace positive changes due to the active involvement of the DoE, Accord & Alliance and other law enforcement agencies.
- Awareness among buyers has increased in terms of fair prices and living wage issues.
Challenges to Overcome
- To transform from a low price RMG producing industry to a producer of value-added items
- Invest in independent R&D and improve industry-institute collaborations
- Improve the innovative capacity of the industries
- Emphasize on the development of the technological fundamentals of the industry – looking for more sustainable technology options
- The biggest challenge is to achieve sustainability without losing competitiveness in the market
Recommendations for Sustainable Development of the Textile and Apparel Industry
- Long-term business planning with gradual organizational transformation
- Strengthen the Universities and institutes by upgrading the curriculums, improving internship options and exchange programs
- Provide continuous training to the employees on sustainability issues
- Associations should play big role in increasing awareness and auditing
- More and more dialogues and discussions should be arranged with govt., the associations, buyers and other important stakeholders.
