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The latest TexTIMe (Textile Today Innovation Meets) episode—organized by Textile Today Innovation Hub and sponsored by the largest dyestuff company in the Indian subcontinent Colourtex— shed light on the uncertain global scenario to discover the course of action remaining sustainable in the new context.
Engaging industry leaders and strategy makers TexTIMe brought strategic level discussion titled ‘Remaining Sustainable Amid Uncertainties’ on September 1 in the Dye+Chem Bangladesh Summer Edition Expo 22 concurrently going on with 21st Textech Bangladesh, according to a press release.
In the seminar, iconic and leading dignitaries of the textile dyes and chemical industry discussed the ways to be sustainable amid rising global uncertainties.
Remaining sustainable is severely straining the global textile value-chain as the raw material price, energy crisis, production cost, shipment cost, etc also, environmental disasters like drought and adverse weather are making the supply industry uncertain.
Distinguished speakers in the panel were Hasib Uddin, chairman APS Group; Kazy M Iqbal Hossain, South Asia Regional Sustainability manager, Lindex; Md Hafizur Rahman, chief textile officer, Fakir Fashion; Amin Khoja DGM, Technical, Textile Dyes Colourtex Industries Pvt Ltd; Tareq Amin, founder and CEO, Textile Today moderated the physical and virtual seminar.
Tareq Amin said: “When we talk about sustainability— social, environmental and business sustainability are three interconnected components that need to be addressed simultaneously.”
“In sustainability buzzword, manufacturers profitability aspect is overlooked. And recently, apparel orders are decreasing. Many brands are careful about placing new orders. Entrepreneurs are struggling to cope with the situation,” mentioning this Tareq Amin began the seminar by aiming to understand from the brands is this situation will exist for a long time or a short time.
Kazy M Iqbal Hossain said: “Just like the previous uncertain times, consumers started to buy fewer fashion products. And consumers are focusing on food items. This behaviour is similar to the Covid situation and it will persist for a while.”
He also said that as Christmas is coming soon and also the new year, so, the situation will be normalized within a short time.
“Brands cannot forecast the coming situation which leads them to be more cautious about placing orders,” he said.
“From Lindex perspective, we are maintaining a transparent communication as manufacturers can rest assured,” Kazy M Iqbal added.
Hasib Uddin said: “Yes we manufacturers are suffering from fewer orders. And it is also true that the brands have a lot of unsold garments. We can only expect the sales to grow up by the end of the year.”
In reply to the question of how manufacturers are coping with this situation, Hasib Uddin said: “It is best to develop new ways, innovations and KPIs to cope with this situation.”
“We also need to intelligently deal with our challenges to sustain in this business.”
Md Hafizur Rahman said: “In Fakir fashion, just like how we have dealt with the previous challenges, we are setting up new strategies to face this challenge also. We are onboarding some of the new brands, venturing into the new markets, also we are producing a new type of products to deal with this. We have a design team set up in London. What they are doing is that they are roaming around to see the fashion trends of consumers and we are developing the products accordingly. This is how Fakir fashion is staying on top of the situation.”
“Right at this moment, we are fully focusing on strategical things to cope with the challenges.”
In reply to the question of how textile chemical manufacturers are coping with the increased cost of raw materials and its impact on the supply chain, Amin Khoja said: “This uncertainty is hurting every part of the supply chain. As the experts have rightly mentioned, all the raw materials and even the shipment prices have gone up manifold, which is hurting the textile dyes and chemicals industry. Whereas, to maintain this cost benefit to customers, we have to streamline the product’s efficiency on our end.”
“We also have to look at textile chemical products consistency in terms of bringing the efficiency up and pricing down in saving our resources. Also, if we frequently change the type of dyes and chemical products it will lead to a change in the backward linkage of resources which will not be viable for us,” he explained.
In terms of sustainability initiative practices in the industry – panellists have shared their incredible stories.
Kazy M Iqbal Hossain said: “Right now in terms of knitted fabric dyeing or other fabrics, factories are using 1:5 to 6 liquor ratio. Some are using less amount of water. A lot of R&Ds have been done in terms of water sustainability, water saving and other innovative practices.”
Hasib Uddin said: “In terms of decreasing water use, we have to train our mid-management. So, I request you all to improve the capabilities of mid-management which will be the game changer in the future.”
“As for taking any new innovative initiative, we have to see the economic viability of the initiative. Otherwise, it will not be feasible for the manufacturers, Hasib Uddin said regarding implementing innovative initiatives like ZLD (zero liquid discharge).
“Rather we have to look for the other viable possibilities like rainwater harvesting. In APS Dyeing, due to our rainwater harvesting, we don’t extract any groundwater for 45 days.”
“This water saving is an important aspect as a single drop of groundwater takes almost 50 years to go back to its original position. And most of the dye houses in Bangladesh extract groundwater,” he also said.
Md Hafizur Rahman said: “I want to add that technology investment is critical in terms of achieving sustainability and bringing more business. As brands are committing more towards sustainability.”
In terms of increasing workers’ productivity initiatives speakers pointed out that workers and machine operators are not educated. So, if they are educated to some extent then certainly, Bangladesh’s workers’ efficiency will be increased to a great extent. They also expressed that increased efficiency of workers will definitely get them more salary.
This event was powered by texknoter.
(DT)
