Textile consumers are becoming more conscious about the environmental impact of their buying decisions. This is directly affecting their choices. For instance, today, buyers seek organic fabric suppliers in India and are ready to spend more to get sustainable and eco-friendly textiles. As a result, top woven and fabric companies in India are realizing that sustainable manufacturing practices have significant financial and environmental benefits.
And therefore, they are making substantial changes in their business processes to reduce their carbon footprints, including e-waste and product lifestyle management. Let’s see the top four areas where top textile companies in India can achieve sustainable manufacturing practices while ensuring a profitable ROI.
Reduce the Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are a significant contributor to global energy-related CO2 emissions. Knitted and woven fabric manufacturers can switch to renewable energy sources to reduce emissions and save costs on outrageous fuel prices. Ways fabric companies in India can optimize their energy resources include:
- Identify areas in manufacturing where energy is wasted with regular process audits.
- Transform the manufacturing infrastructure with more energy-efficient technologies and machinery. Examples are LED lights, HVAC systems, etc.
- Monitor and control energy consumption in real-time by implementing energy management systems. This allows textile manufacturers to identify areas where energy can be saved in business operations.
- Implement energy-saving practices in the manufacturing and production units, such as using natural lights and ventilation and reducing idle time in production.
- Use renewable energy sources, like solar, hydro, and wind power.
Optimize Production Process with Lean Manufacturing Principles
By streamlining production processes through lean manufacturing principles, fabric suppliers in India can reduce their cost of operations by 25%.
Use technology to automate processes in areas like logistics, transportation, production, and online trading and implement continuous enhancement programs, like regular process assessments, training and feedback, and identifying areas of opportunities.
Also, ensure the operating processes are standardized and that you partner with suppliers and distributors that reduce delivery time, optimize lead times, and streamline the supply chain.
Decrease Pollution Proactively
Pollution is the biggest contributor to drastically changing climatic conditions and the growing carbon footprint. More and more countries are realizing the importance of landfill biomining, waste management, and pollution control.
Here are a few effective ways by which textile companies in India can decrease pollution:
- Reduce and eradicate pollution at the root by implementing pollution prevention practices, such as using organic dyes instead of chemicals, growing crops with natural fertilizers, recycling the water used for manufacturing, and implementing stringent bio-waste management practices.
- Use environmentally-friendly materials to harvest, grow, and produce fiber, yarn, and fabrics, such as natural dyes, non-toxic materials, natural fabrics over synthetic, and switching to renewable resources.
- Use data analytics and monitoring systems that help control air emissions, water discharge, water streams, and overall pollution.
- Treat pollutants before they release into the air and water. For example, the application of wastewater treatment systems, pollution control devices, etc.
- Work with regulatory and compliance agencies that promote sustainable manufacturing practices. You can also participate and volunteer in programs as part of your CSW mission.
Recycle and Reduce Waste Production
About 30% of textile wastes aren’t recycled or reused. However, by recycling materials and using reused textiles, knitted and woven fabric manufacturers in India can reduce their reliance on virgin materials, reducing their production costs and decreasing their carbon footprint. This will also help them meet the demands of their growing eco-conscious consumers positively.
On the other hand, implementing a waste reduction program and designing textile products for sustainability can positively impact manufacturing processes and product life-cycle management, ultimately helping the environment to thrive.
Fabric companies in India can improve their demand in the global textile market by adopting sustainable production practices. This can not only improve their brand reputation among the growing eco-conscious consumers but also help them stay competitive in the profitable textile industry.
With a looming catastrophic event expected in just a few decades, it has become imperative for all companies in India’s textile industry, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to top players, to prioritize carbon footprint reduction and adopt integrated technologies such as TEXchange Global.
