WHY TEEJAY HAS SUSTAINABILITY AT THE CORE

Edga Melan, General Manager – Engineering & Sustainability at Teejay Group, explains what sustainability means for the company, the first multinational fabric manufacturer in Sri Lanka, in the second-most polluting global industry.

“We recognize that sustainability is of paramount importance to succeed in the fashion industry, and Teejay has made a commitment to sustainability through our Abhivarah 2030 framework, aligning with the global Science Based Target Initiatives to significantly reduce our impact on the environment,” Edga says.

Teejay’s Abhivarah 2030 includes three responsible pillars: responsible discharge, responsible consumption of natural resources, and responsible for a thriving planet which focuses on biodiversity. It encapsulates the group’s sustainability efforts across its facilities in Sri Lanka and India, ensuring strategic importance with innovation, R&D, digitalization, and corporate social responsibility. By prioritizing sustainability, Teejay Lanka is taking a responsible and forward-thinking approach to its operations in the fashion industry, Edga avers in this interview with Echelon. He begins by telling us how the company integrates profitability, innovation, and sustainability into the core of its business:

We have recognized that innovation is critical for success in a market where fashion trends change rapidly. To remain competitive, we have focused on developing new fabrics that are both innovative and sustainable. By considering sustainability as a strategic drive rather than a mere competitive advantage, Teejay is aligning profitability with its core business strategy.

One such initiative is tea dye, where waste tea sludge is used to colour fabrics. This approach reduces with the company’s sustainability goals.

While innovative fabrics may present some challenges, such as repeatability and scalability, we are working closely with our technical team to overcome these obstacles and deliver value to our customers. By aligning sustainability, innovation, and profitability, we are well-positioned to thrive in a rapidly changing fashion market while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Can you take us through your sustainability initiatives and innovations and their impacts on the business?

We have launched a range of sustainability initiatives across our three production facilities in Sri Lanka and India. One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is water consumption. We use 1.6 times the amount of an Olympic swimming pool every day to dye fabric. One of the initiatives we will be introducing is the Japanese Johkasou system, which allows for the recycling of domestic water back into the production process.

Another measure is to reduce energy consumption, through the installation of roof solar PV systems in our factories. In addition, Teejay is committed to reducing its waste output by recycling and upcycling as much material as possible.

To further our sustainability efforts, Teejay is partnering with GIZ Sri Lanka and the National Cleaner Production Centre Sri Lanka to develop the country’s first Life Cycle Inventory database. By assessing the total carbon footprint of a garment from “cradle to grave,” we aim to gain a better understanding of the total environmental impact and identify areas for improvement.

Beyond environmental sustainability, we are also focused on social sustainability and empowering our female employees through a program called SheCan, which aims to increase the number of women at all levels in the male-dominated fabric industry. Teejay is also conducting awareness sessions for all employees to promote sustainable practices and enhance employee engagement.

As you contemplate the future of fashion – and the trajectory of Sri Lanka’s economy – why is prioritizing sustainability crucial to Teejay Lanka’s growth objectives?

Sri Lanka has a rich history in the textile industry, dating back to the arrival of Prince Vijaya and the spinning of cotton by Kuveni. Today, Sri Lanka is competing with other major textile producers such as China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, and India. However, Sri Lanka has several strengths that set it apart from its competitors. The country is known for ethical business practices, transparency, technical expertise, quality, and good communication skills. Additionally, Sri Lanka has a highly skilled workforce that is proficient in English, making it easier for employees to communicate effectively. Sri Lanka’s hospitality is also a standout feature. While other countries may have some of these qualities individually, the combination of them makes Sri Lanka the best choice for brands and customers.

The fabric and apparel industry is a significant contributor to Sri Lanka’s economy, accounting for 54% of the country’s export economy before the Covid-19 pandemic. With the fashion industry changing and the emergence of the Gen Z market, Sri Lanka is aligning its capabilities to cater to the next generation. Gen Z’s values align with sustainable and traceable practices, making these essential factors for the future of the industry. While sustainability was once a competitive advantage, it is now a must-have, and corporations are collaborating to develop sustainable initiatives. However, the future is traceability, with consumers demanding to know the exact fibre or yarn source of the retail store of their garments.

While the industry may be highly competitive, collaboration is crucial when it comes to protecting the planet. As there is no planet b, it is vital to embrace ethical and sustainable practices to safeguard this one planet we call home, earth

Teejay Lanka is a benchmark for sustainability initiatives, achieving a 90% score on the Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) Index, the highest score among 14,133 entities in 120 countries. The company’s transparency in reporting also earned it the number one spot among 100 publicly listed companies in Sri Lanka by Transparency International. Ethical business practices with proper transparency and sustainability are essential for any manufacturing organization to achieve growth. While the industry may be highly competitive, collaboration is crucial when it comes to protecting the planet. As there is no planet B, it is vital to embrace ethical and sustainable practices to safeguard this one planet we call home, Earth.