Hirdaramani invests US$6.3 mln in carbon neutral “Mihila” factory

The Hirdaramani Group has invested US$6.3 million to set up the first Carbon neutral apparel factory in Asia certified by the Carbonneutral Company.

The cost is 35% more since it is a carbon neutral and green factory, ‘Mihila’ in Sri Lanka, Hirdaramani CKT Cluster CEO Arjuna Kuruppu told the Business Times. He noted that this factory has a 48% reduction in energy consumption due to the use of solar panels, evaporative cooling system, and skylight among others.

The Mihila factory also consumes 70% less water as it has a waste water treatment plant, engages in rainwater harvesting and water saving fixtures.

Mr. Kuruppu explained that in addition it also has an improved waste management with zero waste to landfills, comprehensive reduction, reuse and recycling of waste.

The bio diversity refuge within the factory is a unique aspect as it was a conserved nature forest.

The factory has already received three international certifications namely the Energy Efficiency Award from the Ministry of Energy, the LEEDS certification and the Carbonneutral award. Hirdaramani Group Director Nikhil Hirdaramani said at a media briefing to explain the project that this is part of the company’s social responsibility drive and works with the Carbonneutral Company in a bid to gain and identify the key issues and implement systems that more directly reduce each factories’ emissions.

Speaking with the Business Times, he noted that they would be adapting the group’s 28 manufacturing facilities in this eco friendly and carbon neutral drive gradually.

Initially the company would work towards obtaining the LEEDS certification first for its Bangla- deshi and Eheliyagoda factory in Sri Lanka before the end of this year.

The group currently has 18 manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka with three each in Bangladesh and Vietnam.

The Carbonneutral Company that handed over the award worked together with the group in a bid to ensure it achieves a carbon neutral certification. The company ranks among the three most recognized offset providers in the world, a carbon footprint expert certified company and accredited by the Carbon Trust, the UK government’s carbon standards body.