Page 12 - TEXtalks January/February 2022

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More than 20 investors from

Uzbekistan announce to invest in

Pakistan’s textile sector

Pakistan is one of the few countries where the cost Uzbekistan’s assurance of complete guidance of
of doing business is less and such environment Pakistan regarding an increase in cotton production
attracts various investors. Recently, more than 20 in Punjab is a good news for the country. With
investors from Uzbekistan announced to invest in annual cotton production of about 1 million tons of
the textile sector and various other sectors of fiber (4–5% of world production) and exports of
Pakistan. Uzbekistan would provide technical 700,000-800,000 tons (10% of world exports),
assistance to increase cotton production in Punjab. Uzbekistan is the 8th largest producer and the 11th
Investors from Uzbekistan have announced visiting largest exporter of cotton in the world. Their cotton
Punjab soon. More such projects will be launched in farming technology is good, which could increase
the coming days, bringing the two provinces closer Pakistan’s cotton production. Therefore, it is hoped
to each other and promoting investment, and that such investment and technology transfer will
creating employment opportunities in both benefit Pakistan’s agriculture and textile sector to
provinces. combat the cotton shortage in future. AD

Evolving Mother Nature working

to eliminate Polyester Pollution

Since the 1940s, when the mass production of pollution. The study analyzed samples of
polymers began, plastics have become a ubiquitous environmental DNA from hundreds of locations
part of society. Most plastics in use today are around the world.
derived from petrochemicals. It is estimated that
approximately 8% of the world’s total oil is used to The researchers used computer modeling to search
manufacture plastic products, causing considerable for microbial enzymes with plastic-degrading
carbon emissions. The growing amount of potential, then cross-referenced with the official
microplastic waste in the oceans is a critical issue numbers for plastic waste pollution across countries
that concerns environmental policymakers and oceans. In total, over 30,000 enzymes ‘
worldwide. However, mother nature always has a homologs’ were found with the potential to degrade
history of evolving and serving humanity. ten different types of commonly used plastic.
Homologs are members of protein sequences
The microbes have now found a way to degrade the sharing similar properties. Some of the locations that
plastics from the environment, which is a good sign. contained the highest amounts were notoriously
According to a new study by Chalmers University in highly polluted areas, for example, those from the
Sweden, microbes evolve worldwide to eat plastic Mediterranean Sea and South Pacific Ocean.

January/February 2022