Paving the way towards sustainability in its continued effort to bring about positive environmental impact, Omega Line Ltd, a leading apparel exporter in Sri Lanka affiliated with the Italy-based Calzedonia Group (now known as Oniverse), was recently bestowed with two bronze awards under the Energy Efficiency Initiatives and Clean Energy for Productive Uses categories.
Organized by the Industrial Development Board (IDB) and Ministry of Industries for the first time, the awards were part of the International Symposium on Green Industry Initiative for Sustainable Industrial Development (ISGSD) event held on 23rd June at the BMICH, Colombo.
Omega Line was awarded the first Bronze in recognition of the various highly successful energy-efficient initiatives deployed company-wide. These include transitioning from clutch to servo motors among its sewing machines, utilizing LED lighting, optimizing compressed air usage, and implementing motion-activated lighting in low-occupancy areas, all of which actively contribute to reduced energy consumption and positive environmental impact.
The second Bronze was for the company’s solar energy efforts, where close to a third of its energy being generated by solar. This commitment to renewable energy has enabled it achieve a significant reduction in carbon emissions, totaling to over 1.46M Kgs savings each year, equivalent to planting around 43,600 trees. Omega Line has set ambitious plans to be fully 100 percent dependent on solar energy by 2030.
Further, Omega Line has invested USD 1.85 million in a photovoltaic plant generating approximately 2300 kW of power. With production and export volume exceeding millions of garments annually, the various initiatives taken to reduce energy consumption in many aspects sets a benchmark for Sri Lanka’s apparel industry.
Omega Line has also stepped up in its digital transformation journey, exploring ways to enhance its operational efficiency through rigorous R&D, and plans are underway to deploy cutting-edge technologies such as IoT and AI to go beyond streamlining processes to leverage on emerging opportunities.
Omega Line Ltd based in Sandalankawa is a part of the Oniverse Group, a major player in the sector, employing over 15,500 individuals in Sri Lanka and exporting nearly 200 million garments in 2023, with the group’s turnover exceeding USD 600 million amidst various economic challenges, with total investments in Sri Lanka amounting to over USD 350 million to-date.
Marking its 25th year, Omega Line, and its parent company, Calzedonia, have thrived on the success of Sri Lanka, expanding from fewer than 300 sales outlets in 1999 to over 5,500 outlets across 55 countries presently. Omega’s remarkable growth trajectory has garnered global recognition, significantly impacting the intimate apparel market’s development.