“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 A J 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.”
On Thursday July 14, 2011, auditors from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) of the Netherlands confirmed that the Brandix Eco Centre at Seeduwa, a 130,000 square foot 'green' factory producing apparel for Marks & Spencer (M&S), was compliant with ISO 50001:2011.
"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," a company statement said.
"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," it said.
The latest standard introduced by the International Standards Organisation, ISO 50001: 2011 establishes 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.
This is the second time that the Brandix Group and its 'green' factory have achieved global firsts for Sri Lanka’s apparel industry, the company said.
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).
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.
The Brandix Green factory currently consumes an average 6,800 kWh of energy daily, representing a saving of 46 percent after it was redesigned as an eco-friendly manufacturing facility, the statement said.
The factory has also achieved a reduction of carbon emissions by 64 percent, a reduction of water consumption of 63 percent and zero solid waste to landfill.
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, ensuring that reduction targets are being met and maintained.
The Brandix Group said it is on target to achieve its goal of a 30 per cent reduction of its carbon footprint by 2012, with 2008 as the base year.
Brandix is a supplier 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.
