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Tuesday, 5 February 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Rashika Fazali
Aiming to become the number one fabric mill in the South Asian region by 2014, Textured Jersey Lanka (TJ) PLC recently stepped up their game by becoming the first Sri Lankan corporate entity to publish a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission report and achieve the ISO 14064-1 standard for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012. The report was certified by the British Standards Institute (BSI).
This certification has created a new benchmark in the sphere of GHG reporting in the country and is another attempt at going green.
Under the observation of Somaratna Consultants, the GHG report stated that TJ has emitted 42,438 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) which mean that each metre of fabric has generated 1.38 kg of CO2e. Speaking on waste reduction, TJ Production General Manager Pubudu De Silva stated: “TJ processes 10 million kg of fabric per year. We have reduced 500 tonnes of fabric production so far.” He further added that they were able to reduce wastage from 15% to 10%.
He also added that every year they manage to reduce wastage by 1% which has also resulted in a reduction in their yarn production from 0.2% to 0.1%.
However, their main reduction has been from 10% to 8% inclusive of water, electricity and usage of furnace oil. Further elaborating on these reductions, he revealed that their daily water supply has been reduced from 3,500 cubic metric to 3,000, their monthly electricity usage from 75,000 kWh to 65,000 kWh and furnace oil usage from 25,000 tonnes to 20,000 tons. In addition, TJ has reduced their 10 hour process time to eight hours stated De Silva.
In other means of reducing the amount of wastage, he further explained that they are intending on installing air compressors and chillers that will absorb the waste heat and convert it to electricity with a savings of 1%.
GHG reporting
For any big plant like TJ dealing in fabrics and mass production, knowing the amount of poisonous gases emitted is very important as factories like such play a huge role in climate change and the world tomorrow.
In relation to this, TJ Chemical and Process Engineer Rasika Gunawardana said: “As a texturing company, we consume a lot of energy and electricity, and emit a lot of GHGs like CO2.” With GHG reporting, companies can find out how much they emit and what can be done to reduce emission and wastage thus enabling a better and sustainable environment. Gunawardena also added that the GHG reporting project cost TJ Rs. 1.8 million overall.
Fabric production
TJ imports different types of fabrics from all over the world, especially from countries like India, Pakistan and Singapore.
On a factory tour to TJ, TJ Knitting Operations Assistant Manager Sanjeeewa Chandrasiri stated that they produce an average of 30 to 34 tons of kitted material on a daily basis with the frequent use of 119 knitting machines.
He also added that if certain kitted materials are faulty, these materials are sent back to be corrected. In a case where the materials are beyond repair, they are then disposed by selling the materials to buyers interested in purchasing such materials.
There fabric production is quite unique in terms of sustainability. Ranging from materials such as polyester to bamboo, TJ produces fabric that is good for the consumer’s health as well. They fabricate well being materials that protect the customer from UV rays, fight against bacteria, nourishes a baby’s skin, and helps with rashes and materials that act as a cooling agent when one sweats. They also produce recycled materials.
Expansion
Speaking to the Daily FT, TJ Chief Financial Officer Moiz Rehmanjee revealed their plans to acquire a mill in the South Asia region in time to come. He further mentioned that they also aiming to become the number one fabric mill in that region by 2014.
Elaborating on this, he said, “I think we are already number one, but we don’t have accurate information to say so. However, I think we are there.”
– Pix by Upul Abayasekara
