Brandix leading the way for an Eco Conversion

Tag: Fabric Material Brandix, the largest apparel exporter in Sri Lanka in 2007, with a turnover of US$320 million has converted a 30 year old factory to a modernized hi-tech eco-friendly plant. The Brandix Casualwear plant in Seeduwa is the country’s first converted Green Factory. Having already invested US$2.5 million for the conversion in collaboration with Marks & Spencer (M&S) UK the company intends to allocate a further US$25 million (Rs.2.7 billion) on environmental initiatives. Sources revealed that Brandix is planning to convert their Casualwear factory in Ja-ela into a Green Plant as well. Carbon Footprint Reduced by 77 %One of the main policies of Brandix is to decrease the carbon footprint released by apparel manufacturers into the atmosphere. With the conversion, the Green Plant has been able to reduce the carbon footprint by 77% from 2076 metric tons to 484 metric tons. At the opening of the plant Brandix CEO Ashroff Omar stated that the past 9 years have been among the warmest years on record and scientists have recognized that one of the primary causes for this is the increased emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which increases the earth’s surface temperature. “It is now predicted that by the year 2050 up to 37% of the plant and animal species on the planet could be wiped out,” he said. He revealed that the Group is committed to a five year eco plan to bring down the carbon footprint by 35% by the year 2012. This is in accordance with the M&S Plan ‘A’ launched in 2007 which is to focus on neutralizing the carbon emissions.48 % of Energy Saved According to Brandix Industrial Engineering Senior Manager Chaminda Mirando in order to save the fuel wasted when travelling from one plant to another electric vehicles are used which he revealed are no more costly than a fuel vehicle. Furthermore he showed that 4.8km of fluorescent bulbs have been saved due to the use of natural lights through sky lights and large windows which were normally covered with thick curtains. “The electricity bill used to be Rs.2.2 million per month for this factory before the conversion, but now it is down by 48%,” Mirando said. During gloomy and rainy days the plants are using 3 watt lamps which are sufficient for the employees. Company officials divulged that an Air Handling Unit approximately worth Rs.90 million has been set up so as to circulate fresh air properly to each plant.  Even the bio-gas generated from the factory will be used to lighten the burners in the canteen for cooling.58 % Decrease in Water ConsumptionMirando stated that preserving water is a major initiative of Brandix and that the company has therefore built a rainwater harvesting tank with a capacity of 100,000 litres. Drawing attention to Sri Lankan history, Omar revealed that the island has been environmentally responsible for more than 2500 years. He noted that the ancient kings had built thousands of reservoirs for rainwater harvesting, flood protection and irrigation. This is a tradition that the islanders should be proud of. “Our workers come from a culture whose existence has historically been closely linked to the land and man-made water resources. We have found this ethos to be both inspiring and socially and economically sensible,” he declared.    Mass Scale Recycling75% of the stationery used in the factory contains recycled material. In each plant there are recycle bins with different compartments for polythene, fabric and papers. These are collected and then stored in separate storehouses as no waste is now being sent for land filling. “We get the papers recycled for the use of Brandix but the used polythene is sent to a recycling plant and the discarded fabric to manufacturers of soft toys and mattresses,” Mirando said.     Employee Friendly-Eco Friendly Environment1,600 employees are working in the newly converted Green Plant. The glass used for sky lights has been manufactured to prevent the harmful UV rays from penetrating the plant and the roof of the factory has been painted white so as to reflect most of the rays as well. Domestic trees have been planted inside the factory and ducks can be found in an area where there is a pond. An Integrated Pest Management system is in place to reduce the use of chemicals.    Zero Loss of Production during ConversionMirando claimed that during the 7 month conversion of the factory to a Green Plant, Brandix suffered no loss of production. “Even while construction was going on garments were being manufactured in other parts of the factory,” he said. Other company officials stated that Brandix intends to break even with the investment in another 5 years.International and National Recognition for BrandixM&S CEO Sir Stuart Rose recognized Brandix as a very important and valuable part of their production and that they will support this eco factory. The Green Plant in Seeduwa surpasses all standards stipulated by the ‘Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)’ of the Green Building Rating System of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The Group is also the recipient of the prestigious international Green Apple award for the best environmental practice. Export Development Minister Professor G.L. Peiris and Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama who were present at the opening, recognized and appreciated the achievements of Brandix as a product of Sri Lanka.