Sri Lanka’s largest integrated textile manufacturer, Hayleys Fabric PLC, has significantly strived to redefine sustainable innovations through a groundbreaking partnership with Pro Green Laboratories of the University of Moratuwa. The collaboration aims to upcycle industrial waste generated in the textile industry, such as fabric, dye, and fly ash, into environmentally friendly construction materials.
Under the banner of FaBriEco, the partnership seeks to develop eco-friendly, cost-effective products for the local market. Building upon the extensive research conducted by Pro Green Laboratories, led by Professor Rangika U. Halwatura, the collaboration will explore the potential of sustainable materials like mud concrete blocks and polymerized self-compacting mud blocks.
Hayleys Fabric’s Managing Director/CEO, Rohan Goonetilleke, emphasizes the transformative nature of this partnership. He hopes that the union of Hayleys’ sustainability team with Pro Green Labs will spearhead a paradigm shift in waste management, ultimately leading to a truly circular economy.
The FaBriEco initiative represents Hayleys Fabric’s commitment to veer away from conventional waste management practices and replace them with sustainable construction materials. By repurposing and treating resultant waste; the company aims to contribute to a more eco-conscious and responsible industry.
Professor Halwatura echoes the partnership’s excitement, emphasizing the potential to revolutionize the textile industry. Combining Hayleys Fabric’s strengths with Pro Green Labs’ expertise, they are confident in their ability to develop groundbreaking solutions that will shape their ambition and drive sustainable innovation.
This collaboration is just one of Hayleys Fabric’s numerous endeavors aligned with its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. The company’s dedication to sustainability has been recognized by ISPO Textrends, who listed their natural mahogany dye among the top 10 innovations for 2024.
Through its investments in laboratory equipment and sponsorship of postgraduate research programs, Hayleys Fabric demonstrates its unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable innovation. As for Pro Green Laboratories, established under the Civil Department of Engineering at the University of Moratuwa, the partnership with Hayleys Fabric further solidifies its position at the forefront of sustainable research and development in Sri Lanka.
Hayleys Fabric PLC, a pioneer in textile manufacturing, is renowned for its end-to-end solutions and is a valued partner to internationally recognized fashion and apparel brands. Listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange in 2003, Hayleys Fabric has the most significant manufacturing capabilities in the country, producing over 5.5 million cotton and synthetic fabrics monthly.
