SINGAPORE: Textile industry looks into energy and water control

The textile industry is experiencing what some insiders call a paradigm shift.

Governments in China and India, the world's biggest textile producers, are paying greater attention to pollution and energy control.

They have demanded factories use less energy and cut their use of water.

And while this has caused some major issues for manufacturers, it has also created new opportunities.

Paul Hulme, president of Hunstman, said: "I think innovation is key to this industry and energy savings is key to this industry, and those mills, and we have seen this in southern India - over 70 mills were closed because of the pollution problem. And we have seen mills in southern China close because they are not able to be compliant."

Textile chemical manufacturer Huntsman has been expanding in Asia to tap the region's burgeoning economic growth.

It posted 24 per cent growth in sales in Asia in the last two years, with 55 per cent of its sales coming from Asia.

Huntsman, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange devotes some 50 per cent of its research and development to environmental solutions.

Hulme said: "This presents opportunity for the textile effects business because we can bring total solutions to our customers who help and support customers being compliant.

"In 2010, we introduced a new product, with a new chemistry. It's a product that allows a customer to achieve 50 per cent water consumption saving.

"The textile industry is the second largest industry in terms of consuming water, so for every metre of fabric, you can consume 100 litres of water - so we have introduced Avitera and that allows the customer to have a 50 per cent water saving, 40 per cent energy saving, (and) reduction of over 50 per cent CO2 emission."

Hunstman added that cutting energy costs can also help to defray the rising cost of materials.

- CNA