Huntsman Textile Effects - Driving Value Creation and Environmental Standards in Bangladesh

Dyeing, Printing, Processing

Huntsman Textile Effects - Driving Value Creation and Environmental Standards in Bangladesh

Huntsman Textile Effects is leading the way by proactively engaging textile mills and brands in Bangladesh to reduce environmental footprint and to drive sustainable excellence to compete in the global market.

At US$ 21.5 billion annually, the Bangladesh’s textile industry is the world's second-largest apparel exporter after China. The industry also accounts for 17% of Bangladesh’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with more than three-quarters of its total exports heading to Europe and the US.

Like many textile mills and brands around the world, the Bangladesh textile industry is grappling to meet the pressing demands from environmental laws and increasing pressures from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), particularly in the areas of water pollution and the discharge of hazardous chemicals. In what experts describe as a water pollution disaster in one of the world’s most densely populated and environmentally fragile places, its city’s river systems in Dhaka have reached alarming levels, threatening agriculture, fisheries and public health.

A leading global leader in developing sustainable, high performing processing and effects chemicals that have low environmental impact, Huntsman Textile Effects recently co-organized a customer event entitled ‘Innovation for Economic and Environmental Sustainability’ with its local agent, Swiss Colours.

Held on August 28, the event brought together more than 1,000 representatives from textile mills, brands, retailers, NGOs and academic institutes to discuss the challenges and opportunities they collectively face in the apparel industry. Covering a multitude of issues ranging from the Joint Roadmap towards Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) and innovative environment products and solutions to meet the industry’s toughest challenges, each topic was designed to help create value-add for the respective textile segments.

“The seminar couldn’t have come at a better time. The contents are comprehensive, insightful and up-to-date, providing textile stakeholders with an excellent overview of some of the industry’s challenges and Huntsman’s expertise and technical know-how. Huntsman’s R&T capabilities along with its innovative products and solutions further boosted our confidence that Huntsman is the Go-To Partner to help us meet our environmental targets,” commented Mr. Mahbubul Alam, Executive Director, Masco Group.

“Creating a sustainable textile value chain is one of the top priorities in the textile industry. As one of the global leaders in addressing industry challenges with sustainable products and solutions meeting economic and ecological needs, Huntsman Textile Effects is committed and well positioned to help the industry address these challenges. Huntsman will continue to invest and collaborate with various stakeholders in Bangladesh to help the industry minimize their environmental footprint and to meet sustainability targets to compete in the global market,’ added Steve Gray, Global Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Planning.

Asia is a key growth market for Huntsman Textile Effects. In the last few years, Huntsman Textile Effects have invested US$ 100 million in the region. These include world-class distribution centers and facilities located in China, Pakistan and most recently, a US$ 17.5 million synthesis plant in Thailand. In addition, a state-of-the-art research laboratory in Mumbai was also established to complement its established research facilities in Panyu, China.