Danish firm brings tech for durable clothes
Danish company Novozymes has launched Livelong, a sustainable solution for producing better quality and longer lasting clothes from plant-based fibres, in Bangladesh.
Livelong is a biological solution where enzymes are used to extend the lifetime of fabrics. Until now, the enzyme technology process has only worked on cotton, said Novozymes in a statement yesterday.
The solution makes it possible for the first time to extend the life of plant-based fabrics by 20 percent, making the garments look new, wash after wash. It saves substantial water, chemicals and energy by reducing textile waste, it said.
The embassy of Denmark in Bangladesh and Novozymes, one of the world’s leading biological solution providers, jointly organised the launching event at the Edge Gallery in Dhaka on Sunday. The event was attended by industry experts, key opinion leaders, buyers, brands and other stakeholders.
Winnie Estrup Petersen, ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh, said Bangladesh plays a vital role in adopting sustainable practices, especially in textile and garment industry, and it is a matter of joy that Novozymes is a partner to Bangladesh in its journey in adopting more sustainable practices.
“Being a country of energy efficiency and environmentally friendly solutions, Denmark is always striving towards technological advancements through research and development,” she said.
According to the statement, global clothing production has more than doubled in the last 15 years, but consumers keep clothes for just half the amount of time, making the textile industry one of the most wasteful industries in the world.
Consumers are demanding more sustainable solutions and they are willing to pay for it. However, they need help in making the right choice. Consumers are demanding traceability and transparency and they want to be informed, it says.
“All textile manufacturing and brands – even with eco-friendly fibres -- have a hefty environmental impact. Brands should seriously consider the opportunity of offering consumers the sustainable choice of longer lasting garments,” said Ethel Fanny Laursen, business unit director for technical industries at Novozymes.
Rubana Huq, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the market is changing, consumers are changing, and consumption patterns are changing.
“The next generation are far more conscious about what they are purchasing. They are not just buying the product; they are buying the experiences and they want to know which impact their choices have on the environment,” she said, calling for greener ways of production.
Mostafiz Uddin, managing director of Denim Expert and founder of the Sustainable Apparel Forum, and MA Jabbar, managing director of DBL Group, also spoke.
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