In Sri Lanka's textile sector, a deep-rooted tradition in natural dyeing spans centuries and is intertwined with the nation's rich textile heritage. The country's abundant biodiversity has yielded a diverse range of botanical resources, providing a wealth of natural pigments essential to the garment industry.

From vivid shades sourced from turmeric, indigo, and madder root to the earthy tones derived from catechu and the vibrant yellows of turmeric, Sri Lanka's legacy in natural dyes remains a pivotal component of its textile exports. This innovation aligns with global sustainability trends, positioning Sri Lanka as a hub for eco-friendly textile production.

With collaborations and partnerships transcending borders from international brands - these initiatives emphasise the global reach and impact of Sri Lanka's textile industry

Key industry players in the Sri Lankan Apparel Industry, such as Hayleys Fabric PLC, Noyon Private Limited, Dynawash, and Ocean Lanka lead this movement, leveraging natural dyes to cater to international markets increasingly prioritising environmentally responsible products.

Hayleys Warna by Mahogany

Hayleys Fabric is at the forefront of eco-conscious fashion, revolutionising a new era in sustainable textiles. Its commitment to sustainability is vividly portrayed through organic, eco-friendly fabrics woven from natural dyes. Collaborating with nature, the company has harnessed the power of Neem, Thulsi and a selection of natural dyes derived from pomegranate, mulberry, Mexican marigold, Mahogany wood and black clutch, expanding the horizons of environmentally friendly textiles. This dedication to minimizing environmental impact extends to water treatment practices, earning Hayleys Fabric prestigious accolades for their holistic approach to responsible production.

Recognised among the Top 10 global innovations at ISPO Textrends Spring/Summer 2024, Hayleys Fabric’s Warna by Mahogany is the natural dye innovation that has become an industry game changer. Representing one of Sri Lanka's initial advancements in eco-friendly fabrics on the esteemed ISPO Textrends platform, this acknowledgement solidifies the nation's leadership in sustainable circular fabric sourcing particularly in sports apparel. The ground-breaking innovation uses waste from the local furniture industry to extract dyes, pioneering a transformative waste-to-fashion initiative.

The company recently earned recognition for its 'Midnight by Charcoal' range, a novel collection of textiles featuring organic prints from biomass charcoal waste. In collaboration with its subsidiary, South Asia Textile Private Limited, the 'Midnight' range received international acclaim, securing a spot among the 'Top 10 Innovations in the Street Sports' category at ISPO Munich. This marks the second time in the past year that a Sri Lankan innovation in eco-friendly fabric dyes from the Hayleys Fabric Group has been acknowledged by ISPO.

The exclusive mahogany dye, offering 16 hybrid colours across diverse fabric compositions, meets stringent international standards and is free from harmful chemicals, ensuring both the wearer’s safety and that of the environmental. With an impact lifecycle assessment revealing a 36% positive environmental impact compared to synthetic dyes, it is evident that Warna champions sustainability. Its residual waste repurposed for fertiliser production embodies circularity, while embracing multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals underscores its commitment to responsible production, innovation, clean water, and climate action.

Driving environmentally friendly product development further is Hayleys Fabric's INNO brand which strives to introduce eco-conscious, stylish and functional fabrics to global markets. With a robust textile manufacturing history and a significant presence in the apparel sector, Hayleys Fabric PLC remains a beacon of sustainability, showcasing excellence across design and production.

Noyon’s Planetones

As a subsidiary of MAS Holdings, Noyon Lanka has revolutionised sustainable dyeing with its innovative Planetones. The 100% natural dye range, accredited with the prestigious 'Eco Dye Standard' by the Control Union, marks a significant stride in environmentally conscious dyeing methods.

Offering a palette of over 50 vibrant colours for polyamides, the innovation isn't limited to just vibrant hues but extends to substantial environmental impact. Noyon’s commitment to water solubility and adherence to stringent eco-standards like ZDHC and Oeko-Tex underpin its dedication.

Additionally, Noyon's pioneering approach has resulted in substantial reductions in water consumption, energy usage, CO2 emissions, and chemical footprints, positioning Planetones as the benchmark for eco-friendly dyeing practices in the industry. The initiative, resonating beyond mere colour vibrancy, profoundly minimises water usage, energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and chemical loads, setting an exemplary benchmark for sustainable dyeing practices within the industry.

Dynawash’s T Hues

T Hues, recently granted a patent in India, represents an innovative leap in Sri Lanka's textile industry, ushering in a new era of sustainable garment dyeing. Born from a collaborative effort between SLINTEC, Unilever, and Dynawash, this innovation utilises tea waste to create a versatile 52-color palette.

It features a unique blend comprising 80% natural and 20% synthetic dyes, offering remarkable versatility across various fabric compositions, including cotton, nylon, and blends. What sets T Hues apart is not only its colour diversity but also its inherent sustainability attributes, boasting a negative carbon footprint and antimicrobial properties. The initiative also ensures traceability through QR-coded hang tags, assuring consumers of its eco-friendly origins and production processes.

With over US$1 million in orders from several leading international global brands, T Hues has demonstrated the commercial viability of sustainable innovation and has gained confidence from major players on Sri Lanka’s ability to deliver in this sphere.

Certified with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) in line with ZDHC MRSL standards, T Hues embodies Sri Lanka's steadfast commitment to sustainable fashion practices. Its use of tea waste as a primary ingredient not only underscores resource efficiency but also highlights the innovative reuse of materials, contributing to a circular economy.

The blend of natural and synthetic dyes offers an eco-conscious alternative without compromising on quality or performance, meeting stringent quality standards set by global brands and standards. This showcases a commitment to environmental responsibility and technological advancements, setting benchmarks for sustainable dyeing practices within the industry.

The versatile application of T Hues aligns seamlessly with the evolving demands of environmentally conscious consumers. Its amalgamation of eco-friendliness, quality assurance through certifications like GOTS which is recognized as ZDHC MRSL compliance certification epitomises Sri Lanka's proactive approach to revolutionizing sustainable fashion practices. Through its traceability features and commitment to minimizing environmental impact, Dynawash’s T Hues is a testament to innovation, sustainability and excellence in the textile industry.

Ocean Lanka’s Aqua + Dyeing System

Sri Lanka’s well-known weft knitted fabric manufacturer Ocean Lanka spearheads a sustainable revolution in the textile industry with its ground-breaking 'Ocean Aqua+' dyeing system. This innovative technology, indigenous to Ocean Lanka and conceptualised by its proficient Dyeing and Color Lab teams, stands as a testament to the company's commitment to environmental preservation. Redefining the fabric dyeing process, Ocean Aqua+ has already made substantial strides in augmenting capacity utilisation and productivity while championing environmental conservation. This visionary system is engineered specifically for dyeing deep and vibrant-coloured fabrics, ensuring a seamless synergy between eco-consciousness and cost-efficiency.

These reputable Apparel companies, each pioneering their unique approach, collectively paint a vivid picture of Sri Lanka’s commitment to sustainable fashion. With collaborations and partnerships transcending borders from international brands - these initiatives emphasise the global reach and impact of Sri Lanka's textile industry. Additionally, their integration into platforms like Fashion for Good and Material Connexion amplifies their dedication to global sustainability alliances, positioning Sri Lanka as a beacon of eco-friendly textile practices.

It is evident that with the joint efforts of Hayleys Fabric PLC, Noyon Private Limited, and Dynawash, and Ocean Lanka symbolise the amalgamation of innovation, sustainability, and global partnerships, propelling Sri Lanka’s textile industry towards a future where fashion doesn’t just adorn but also nurtures the planet.

srilanka-apparel.com