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Ashroff Omar, CEO, Brandix, presenting President Mahinda Rajapaksa with a plaque to mark the accomplishment of the LEED Platinum award for Brandix Casualwear factory at Seeduwa, which is now the highest rated eco-friendly apparel factory in the world
Brandix has clinched a world first across all sectors, with its Green Factory in Seeduwa becoming the first apparel manufacturing facility in the world to be rated Platinum under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System of the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
Formally inaugurated on April 25 this year by Marks & Spencer CEO Sir Stuart Rose, the plant was converted into a 130,000 square-foot Eco Centre at a cost of US$ 3mn. Brandix Casualwear’s lead manufacturing plant for global giant Marks & Spencer achieved a score of 76 on the 85-point LEED certification system, setting a global benchmark for low energy consumption, water conservation through direct and indirect rainwater harvesting, solid waste management and low carbon emissions.
A J Johnpillai, Director, Brandix, said, “This is possibly one of the most satisfying milestones achieved by Brandix in its short, but meteoric, history. The fact that it is a global first for us, our country and the apparel industry worldwide, makes it all the more significant, and is a huge shot in the arm for our apparel sector in these challenging times. This is also a tribute to the local engineering skills available and in particular to our consultants EnergySolve International, whose knowledge and commitment were invaluable.”
Brandix, which provides direct employment to over 25,000 people, pioneered the concept of total solutions in the Sri Lankan apparel industry and has been recognised as Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter by the Export Development Board for the past two years. The Group specialises in casual bottoms, intimate and active wear, textiles, knitted fabrics, sewing and embroidery thread, accessories and hangers, and offers wet processing, finishing and fabric printing.
