The Brandix Group says it has achieved another global first for Sri Lanka by becoming the first apparel manufacturer in the world to receive ISO 50001, less than a month after the stringent Energy Management Systems standard was introduced by the International Standards Organisation.

According to a statement on the company's website, on Thursday 14 July 2011, auditors from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) from the Netherlands confirmed that the Brandix Eco Centre at Seeduwa, 130,000 square foot Green Factory producing apparel for Marks & Spencer (M&S) was compliant with ISO 50001:2011, a standard that became official worldwide on 17 June 2011.

"With this certification, Brandix also became only the third manufacturing entity worldwide across all sectors of industry to be ISO 50001 certified, and the only apparel producer in this ultra exclusive group," the statement said, adding:

"Due to the fact the Brandix factory had already achieved and maintained compliance well before the standard was released, it was able to obtain this certification in a short time period, whereas normal certification could take up to three months, officials said."

Second global first

According to Brandix, this is the second time that the group and its Green factory have achieved global firsts for Sri Lanka's apparel industry. The company says that in April 2008 the Brandix Eco Centre became the first apparel factory in the world to receive a Platinum rating from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System of the US Green Building Council (USGBC). In addition, it says it has also been commended as a global model for sustainable production by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and in Britain's House of Lords.

"Periodic achievements of compliance with the world's most stringent environmental standards are important milestones in our road map to reaching the highest possible levels of sustainable manufacture," Brandix Director AJ Johnpillai said.

 "They are also critical to positioning the capability and commitment of Sri Lanka's apparel industry to eco-friendly operations, and represent a significant competitive advantage."

Framework for industrial plants

The latest standard introduced by the International Standards Organisation, ISO 50001: 2011 is said to establish a framework for industrial plants, commercial facilities or entire organisations to manage energy with a strong focus on continuous improvement. The organisation has announced that the objective of the new standard is to address the present day energy crisis by encouraging greater energy efficiency and thereby achieving reduction in energy consumption by industry.

According to Brandix its Green factory currently consumes an average 6800 kWh of energy daily. This, the company says, represents a saving of 46% after it was redesigned as an eco-friendly manufacturing facility. The factory has also achieved a reduction of carbon emissions by 64%, a reduction of water consumption of 63% and zero solid waste to landfill, says Brandix.

Elaborating on the need for standards such as ISO 50001, Iresha Somaratne, the Head of Environment & Energy Management at Brandix said:

"More than one billion people in Africa, Asia and South America have no access to proper energy. To address this problem without increasing carbon emissions, it has been estimated that global industry will have to reduce energy consumption by 40 per cent. At Brandix, we look at local as well as global priorities in our drive for environment-friendly manufacture."

"Enterprise-wide energy conservation initiatives at Brandix have resulted in a reduction of CO2 and CO2 equivalent emissions from 86,322 MT in 2008 to 71,936 MT in 2010, shrinking the Group's carbon footprint by 17 per cent. By the end of 2011, the Group expects to reduce emissions to 66,000 MT, despite expansion of manufacturing capacities," the Brandix statement says.

A sophisticated web-based real-time monitoring system built on the EnteliWEB platform enables Brandix management to track energy and water consumption and Greenhouse Gas emissions at manufacturing facilities on a single screen dashboard, ensuring that reduction targets are being met and maintained.

30% reduction in carbon footprint by 2012

The Brandix Group says it is on target to achieve its goal of a 30% reduction of its carbon footprint by 2012, with 2008 as the base year. In a symbolic demonstration of support to the cause, Brandix associates recently marked World Environment Day by travelling to their workplaces by carpooling, walking or using public transport. An estimated reduction of 800 kg of carbon emissions was said to have been achieved through this initiative, an amount which takes 20 days for a hectare of rain forest to absorb.

Brandix has consistently been at the forefront of national and global efforts to adopt eco-friendly manufacture. It was honoured with the country's apex award for energy conservation at the first ever Sri Lanka National Energy Efficiency Awards in 2010. The Group now has three LEED certified facilities in Sri Lanka.

The pioneer of the concept of 'total solutions' in Sri Lanka's apparel sector, Brandix is a preferred solutions provider to some of the world's leading apparel brands, including Victoria's Secret, PINK, Gap, Banana Republic, Marks & Spencer, Lands' End, Tommy Hilfiger, Hanes, Express, H&M, Old Navy, Intimissimi and Tesco. The Group specializes in casual bottoms, underwear, lounge and sleepwear, bras, textiles, knitted and woven fabrics, sewing and embroidery thread, accessories and hangers, and also offers wet processing, finishing and fabric printing.