Prym Intimate becomes world’s first apparel accessory firm to adopt chemical leasing

Prym intimates, a subsidiary of apparel giant MAS, recently announced the successful launch of a chemical leasing model to treat its waste water, making it the world’s first apparel accessory firm to adopt chemical leasing.

The project follows the business model innovation launched by MAS Active Linea Intimo last year, which was the world’s first company to innovate the United Nations Development Organisation (UNIDO) approved of chemical leasing in their waste water process.  

Following Intimo’s success, several more facilities within the MAS group have tested the concept on their own, to explore diverse ways to reduce the overall chemical footprint and cut down on the use of hazardous chemicals. 

“We are committed to manufacturing our products in an environmentally sustainable manner and neutralise and harmful impact to the environment from our operations. We are proud that Prym is the world’s first apparel accessories manufacturer to initiate a chemical leasing arrangement with the aim to reduce the release of chemicals into the environment. This is a long term vision that supports our holistic journey as a group,” stated Prym CEO VasuWijegoonawardena. 

Prym signed on with Watercare Technologies Ltd. and the National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) of Sri Lanka, while the UNIDO acted as advisor to the project. 

NCPC Chairman Samantha Kumarasena CEO called on MAS to collaborate for better consumer awareness on the concept.

“UNIDO started this concept in 2007; after having looked at the successful application of it in Europe they have developed this as a technical tool especially for developing countries. The success of any tool depends on the level of motivation and commitment of the stakeholders and MAS has shown remarkable initiative in this regard,” Kumarasena said. 

Trials began on the first week of July for ten shifts and Prym’s technical teams noted a 10% to 15% overall savings on chemicals. A hazardous chemical used in the process was also reduced by more than 50%. 

The agreement came into effect from August of this year and Prym will adopt a business model that sees the facility compensate Watercare for each cubic meter of waste water treated. The system will be monitored by the NCPC throughout. 

All companies under MAS have already pledged to a roadmap to be non-toxic in both their products and processes by 2020 and have strict compliance mechanisms to align themselves to a global standard called ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) which is a requirement from major apparel brands to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry. ZDHC includes a list of 11 priority chemical groups to be phased out by 2020.  

Prym’s team is proud of its achievements in sustainability having won silver at the National Green Awards in 2013 and 2014. It is currently spearheading one of the largest forestry projects in Kanthale to grow and nurture 1,000 trees.