Exemplary Green Apparel Factory is a global model
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has commended the Brandix Group’s Platinum-rated Green Apparel Factory at Seeduwa as an example of sustainable production to manufacturers across industries and geographical boundaries.The endorsement came from no less a personage than the global head of the organization,
UNIDO Director General Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, who toured
the state-of-the-art facility in the company of senior officials from
Brandix and UNIDO last Friday. He was in Sri Lanka to deliver the
keynote address at the 9th Asia Pacific Roundtable for Sustainable
Consumption and Production.
Commenting on his visit to the Seeduwa facility, Dr. Yumkella said:
"Promoting clean and sustainable industrial development is at the heart
of everything that UNIDO advocates and implements globally. We are
pleased to note the commitment to environmental sustainability that is
built into the Brandix Green Factory at Seeduwa."
"As the world’s first Platinum-rated eco-friendly apparel manufacturing
facility, it is truly unique and I am therefore pleased to recommend
this factory as an example of sustainable production to manufacturers
across industries and geographical boundaries."
Responding, Brandix Director Ajit Johnpillai said: "Brandix is
privileged to host an eminent global advocate of sustainable industry of
the stature of Dr. Yumkella. The Brandix Group is working closely with
UNIDO on a Chemical Leasing initiative that will also contribute to
sustainability and we are deeply appreciative of the organization’s
assistance and cooperation."
The UNIDO delegation which visited the Brandix Green Plant included Dr.
Wilfried Luetkenhorst - Managing Director - Regional Strategies and
Field Operations Division, Dr. Chin Pen Chua - Chief of the Asia-Pacific
Programme, Ms Ayumi Fujino - Representative and Head of Regional Office
in Thailand, Dr. Lalith Goonatilake - Director - Trade Capacity
Building Branch, Nawaz Rajabdeen - National Director at the UNIDO Focal
Point Office, Sarath Abeysundara - National Programme Coordinator -
Integrated Programme, and S. H. Harischandra - Senior Assistant
Secretary to the Ministry of Industry & Commerce.
The delegation was accorded a complete tour of the Green Plant and
hosted for lunch at the Brandix Centre of Inspiration (BCI) at Ekala, a
250,000 square foot state-of-the art facility that is the Brandix
Casualwear cluster’s one-stop point for design to delivery solutions.
The Brandix Group’s numerous initiatives to reduce Greenhouse gas
emissions at manufacturing locations are on course to reduce the entire
Group’s carbon footprint by 17 per cent by December 2010. The Group’s
target is to reduce its carbon footprint by 30 per cent over the next
two years.
The first apparel manufacturing facility in the world to be rated
Platinum under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Green Building Rating System of the US Green Building Council (USGBC),
the 130,000 square-foot Brandix Eco Centre is the Group’s lead
manufacturing plant for Marks & Spencer. It is a global benchmark
for low energy consumption, water conservation, solid waste management
and low carbon emissions. The factory has achieved a reduction of carbon
emissions by 60 per cent, an energy saving of 46 per cent, a reduction
of water consumption of 63 per cent and zero solid waste to landfill,
eco-friendly indicators as yet unmatched by any re-designed Green Plant
anywhere in the world.
Comprising of 27 business units whose operations encompass Sri Lanka,
India and Bangladesh, Brandix is Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter
and the pioneer of the concept of ‘total solutions’ in the apparel
sector. Brandix is a preferred supplier to some of the world’s leading
apparel brands, including Gap, Marks & Spencer, Victoria’s Secret,
Abercrombie & Fitch, NEXT, Lands’ End, Old Navy and Tommy Hilfiger.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 June 2010 )
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