Sri Lanka’s first multinational textile manufacturer, the Teejay Group proudly hosted its Inaugural Sustainability Summit, marking a significant milestone as Sri Lanka’s first-ever sustainability summit in the textile industry on 13th August in Colombo. This event highlighted Teejay’s role as a leader in the industry, not only in financial performance but also in sustainability and Environment, social and governance (ESG) practices. The event was hosted based on the need to expand focus to address both chemical management and the broader aspects of sustainability. This summit marks Teejay Groups first step forward in that very journey.
The Teejay Group has consistently set benchmarks in the local textile fraternity by pioneering sustainability initiatives. Through collaboration with other industry leaders, the Teejay Group reinforced its commitment to achieving the sustainability goals outlined in its ABHIVARHA 2030 roadmap. The event underscored Teejay’s ongoing efforts to position Sri Lanka as an ethical sourcing hub in the competitive global textile market.
The summit covered important topics such as the Importance of Sustainability to Textile & Apparel Industry, Integrating ESG to Future of Sustainable Textile Industry (Climate Actions), Traceability & Transparency in The Global Textile & Apparel Industry, National Policies, Strategy, Plans and Actions for Textile Industry, Alignment of Textile Industry Strategies to UN SDG Goals, Consumer Demands and Future Brand Requirements in Fashion Industry, Chemical Management Framework in Textile Industry and Future of Fashion and Driving Towards Future of Fashion with Technology
A key highlight of the summit was the awarding of the Carbon Zero Certification, reflecting Teejay’s significant strides toward reducing its environmental impact. The event also showcased innovative solutions, best practices, technology, and digitalization aimed at achieving greater sustainability in textile production. It fostered collaboration among industry stakeholders, including textile manufacturers, brands, chemical suppliers, government agencies, and NGOs, with the goal of developing a roadmap for transitioning the textile industry toward a more sustainable future.
The summit featured a distinguished panel of experts, including Dr. Anil Jasinghe as the Chief Guest & delivered the keynote speech setting the background for the three key sessions. The main panel discussion on “The future of fashion, technologies & ESG integration in the textile industry” where industry veterans shared their expertise. Prof. Ajith de Alwis, Chief Innovation Officer of the National Innovation Agency; Rathika de Silva, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka; and Yohan Lawrence, Secretary General of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), Eranga Dilhan – General Manager, Sustainable Business – MAS KREEDA, Pubudu De Silva, Chief Executive Officer, Teejay Group & Dr Saranga Alahapperuma Chairman, Industrial Development Board Sri Lanka. The panellists addressed a range of critical topics that are pivotal to the future of the textile industry. Discussions included, academia, corporate angle, brand perspective & policy making, and the local and international frameworks.
The second session of the summit covered Chemical management framework in the textile industry & future of fashion where Dr. Siva Pariti, Member of the Trustee Board, Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) United Kingdom , Senior Technical Marketing Officer, BluWin & Mr Prasad Pant, South Asia Director and Competence Centres Director ZDHC Foundation spoke extensively about the drive towards safer chemistry & circularity. The third session featured technical presentation, including Merging sustainable technical solution on textile & apparel industry. During this session, Adam Root, CEO of Matter, UK covered the topic of Innovative solutions for microfiber detachment in the fashion industry, Dr. Nuwan De Silva, Senior Principle Scientist spoke extensively about Technology integration for sustainable textile production and future of fashion & Rakesh Patwari, Regional Head of Solutions Structuring, South and South East Asia, Global Trade Solutions, HSBC: climate financing & green economy.
As a leader in the export market, Teejay not only contributes significantly to export revenue but also upholds its responsibility as a corporate entity by positioning Sri Lanka as an ethical sourcing hub on the global stage. Teejay, as the first multinational knit fabric mill in Sri Lanka, has made remarkable progress in its sustainability journey, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to preserving the planet.
Commenting on the Summit, Teejay Group CEO, Pubudu De Silva said, “At Teejay, sustainability is not just a goal; it’s a core value that guides every aspect of our business. Our commitment to a greener future is reflected in the innovative practices we implement and the collaborations we foster across the industry. Hosting Sri Lanka’s first-ever Sustainability Summit in the textile industry is a testament to our leadership and dedication to driving change. By bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators, we will explore solutions for a greener future for textiles. We believe that by setting benchmarks today, we are paving the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.”
Adding further, Mendaka Hettithanthri, Deputy General Manager – Engineering & Sustainability said, “Our journey towards sustainability is fuelled by a relentless pursuit of excellence to protect our planet. Every step we take is aimed at minimizing our environmental footprint while maximizing positive impact. Teejay’s efforts on sustainability are intertwined, ensuring that innovation goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship. By integrating cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices, we are redefining the future of textile manufacturing.”
Teejay’s inaugural summit was a testament to its pioneering spirit in sustainability, setting the stage for future initiatives that will continue to advance the industry’s sustainability agenda.