Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine May Issue 2019 | Page 34

RESOURCE CENTRE TO ADVERTISE GOING TO A GOOD EVENT? Contact Rani Mahendru [phone] (512) [email protected] Send your industry gossip, photos and news to [email protected] Hohenstein supporting Bangladesh to reap the fruits of the sustainable movement with value T he fast-evolving manufacturing set-up in Bangladesh is actively taking the support of experts to upgrade and add value to their business. Entrepreneurs are not shying away from making investments and are taking active steps for improved efficiencies and working environment. In this proactive situation, Hohenstein Institute, Bangladesh, has presented to the industry STeP by OEKO- TEX®, which can give the industry value for the numerous sustainable investments that the players Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman (Kamrul), Managing Director, Hohenstein Operations have made. In conversation with Team Apparel Online, Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman (Kamrul), Managing Director, Hohenstein Operations in Bangladesh, underlines the edge that the company has over other TIC companies, being a research institute and a forward-thinking entity. Though Hohenstein has been present in Bangladesh for a long time having introduced the OEKO-TEX® certification in 2005, it is only last year that the company developed a new laboratory that consists of high-quality analysis equipment for all textile testing needs. “Testing standards and requirements are changing very frequently and it is important to have the latest equipment to be prepared for the new regulations,” says Dr. Kamrul. The new fully loaded lab is offering various advanced testing services and result analysis such as testing for harmful substances, performance- based tests, quality control tests, on- site sampling and analysis services for wastewater and sludge with all relevant regulations such as ZDHC, Detox to Zero by OEKO-TEX® and STeP by OEKO-TEX®. What really sets the company apart from its competitors is its focus on R&D that not only helps the lab to be prepared for the challenges of the future, but also to create new standards to address new challenges. “Our legacy is rooted in research, and even till today, the labs around the world are off-shoots of Hohenstein Institute, which is the master brain behind our services,” avers Dr. Kamrul. And he is not exaggerating as the company has a reputation of being a pathbreaker 34 Apparel Online Bangladesh | MAY 2019 | www.apparelresources.com and the focus is today on technical textiles and sustainability solutions, the growth engines of tomorrow. With around 1,200 OEKO-TEX® certified companies in Bangladesh, Hohenstein is now geared to partner with the major sustainability movement in the country with Sustainable Textile Production (STeP®) by OEKO-TEX®, which is a certification system for manufacturers from the textile chain who want to communicate their achievements regarding sustainable manufacturing processes to the public in a transparent, credible and clear manner. “One of the biggest challenges today for manufacturers in Bangladesh is to reap the benefits from going green, because not many retailers are willing to pay for the efforts on the products produced, though they appreciate the initiatives,” argues Dr. Kamrul. Perhaps this is one major reason that frustration is setting in with regard to Green initiatives and exporters are asking tough questions to their buyers. However, with STeP® and its six modules, companies can convey their sustainable achievements and brands and retailers can tag the product as ‘Made in Green®’, which is recognised by customers; hence it will help the companies fetch better prices. “We cannot blame the end consumers for not appreciating Green initiatives, because they don’t know whether the product has been made in a green environment, but once the tag is attached which also has a QR code for traceability, the value of the product in the eyes of the end consumer increases, which by default adds a few cents more,” reasons Dr. Kamrul.