By Monira Munni
Some six giant-sized fans are seen running on the top of the sewing section of Remi Holdings Ltd., a concern of Bitopi Group, which has recently been awarded LEED Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for its environmentally-sound production process.
The High Volume and Low Speed (HVLS) fans, unlike the usual fans used in offices, factories and houses, have been set on top of the sewing floor of the factory building to distribute the cool air. The factory has a total of 10 such fans. The US-based technology helps keep the inside temperature of the factory at least 7-degree celsius lower than the outside temperature, resulting in a healthy and comfortable working atmosphere.
The pre-fabricated steel structure consists of two production floors; it accommodates cutting, sewing, washing, waste management, a child daycare center, a medical center, canteen and office. Besides, the production building, there are additional two floors in between the two production floors.
Another feature of the factory is its hanger system that is also not common in garment factories. A feature that the management has stated is a system mainly used in heavy industries aiming to improve work progress and save time.
“Remi Holdings Ltd. has achieved LEED Platinum Certificattion with the highest score 97 out of 110.”– Miran Ali, Managing Director, Remi Holdings Ltd. & Bitopi Group
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating is a points-based system where a rating level is achieved once a project meets all the prerequisites and a minimum number of points. Depending on the number of points earned, a project may be labeled as LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold or LEED Platinum. Remi Holdings Ltd. is located in Adamjee Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Narayanganj. Miran Ali, the Managing Director, stated, “Remi Holdings Ltd. has achieved LEED Platinum Certificattion with the highest score 97 out of 110.” An achievement that is the highest ever for a garment industry, not just in Bangladesh but other apparel-producing countries as well. He adds that this is a matter of pride for both Bitopi Group and Bangladeshis. According to the USGBC website, Remi has earned noteworthy scores in numerous areas of concern that include 24 out of 26 in sustainable sites, 10 out of 10 on water efficiency and 29 out of 35 in terms of energy and atmosphere. Furthermore, the RMG factory has received 10 out 14 in material and resources, 14 out of 15 for indoor environmental quality and perfect scores in innovation and regional priority credit. In reference to score, Ali would like to see further progress in the coming year, “We have planned to scale up our points by more than 100 by next year”.
Set up in mid-2014, the group has invested about $15 million in establishing the woven products unit that currently produces bottoms and jeans. With a daily production capacity of 15,000 pieces, the unit is currently producing 8,000 apparel pieces per day and has employed some 1,500 workers. Workers start their day by singing the national anthem and doing warm-up exercises before starting their daily works inside the factory. Miran is planning on expanding this venture, “There are now nine production lines in the factory which will be increased to 15 lines and an additional 2,000 workers would be employed once the unit goes into full production by December this year.”
Remi has set a milestone in reducing carbon emissions. There are 52 skylights to use daylight in the factory and the system reduced the need of installing 240 LED lights that save 19kw of electricity.
An incineration boiler has been set up to produce steam which is the first of this kind of technology in Bangladesh. It has a thermal oil heater that also saves a significant quantity of energy. The ‘jhut’—one kind of wastage of garments is used in operating the boiler and the produced steam is used in the finishing section of the factory. The factory has a rainwater harvesting capacity worth of 100,000 liters of water, a parameter that can save up to 37% of energy. An effluent treatment plant is also established and the treated water is reused in washing, gardening, and toilet flush.
Four auto-loaded washing machines can wash 25,000 to 30,000 pieces of apparel daily and only two operators run the Turkish machines. “We have invested a huge amount of money in our washing segment as it does not use steam but thermal oil. This technology reduces pressure on gas by 50%,” Miran explained. The factory has five automated dryer machines where loading and unloading are done automatically.
Remi also cover the various needs of their workers from worker’s environment to medical and child care. There are gardens inside the factory especially in the sewing floors which acts as a focal point of relaxation for workers amidst their day surrounded by needles and sewing machines. During the visit of the factory, 32 children were found sleeping in the day care center of the factory that also provides food and entertainment arrangements for the children. On an average 28 to 35 workers receive medical services from the treatment center while workers are shifted to the EPZ’s hospital in case of emergency according to factory officials.
“We have installed 125 kW solar panels on the rooftops that meet 5% of the total electricity requirements of the factory and there is also a garden on a roof,” elaborates the Remi chief. He equates that the group of graduates in the mid-level management positions is also a strength of the group, “Building management systems is one of the unique aspects of the factory that monitor all the activities, requirements and use of energy in the factory through its censoring system.” He explains that Bitopi Group is a company that establishes exemplary work environments in all of their ventures. “The Bitopi Group has another LEED Platinum certified factory namely Tarasima Apparels Ltd. at Manikgonj. It has scored 93 points”.
Both the factories have been awarded LEED Platinum Certification by the USGBC in July 2016. The Group produces apparels for global buyers which include the likes of H&M, Decathlon, Benetton, and VF Corporation. Explaining the reasons behind their green factories projects, Miran Ali elaborates, “It is because of the long-term sustainable business and image branding of the country’s RMG industry. Though buyers are not offering higher prices for apparel produced in green factories, they prefer placing orders with producers who are fully compliant and take good care of both workers and the environment.”
Miran notes the trend that Bangladesh is reinventing its image as a green, environment-friendly and sustainable country with transparency. “A total of 13 garment factories received the USGBC LEED Platinum certificate while a total of 33 garment units received green certification in various categories from the USGBC. More than 100 factories, in addition to the 33, have applied for green certification.”
The writer can be reached at munni_fe@yahoo.com
