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Brandix to achieve

100pc carbon
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

neutrality by 2023
Names Directors

Supply Chain, Industry, Environmental Groups Represented
Brandix, a billion dollar Sri Lankan apparel firm has aimed to achieve 100pc carbon neutrality by 2023 to
record a zero carbon footprint as well as set a benchmark for the manufacturing sector.
The inaugural Board of Directors has been named Merchant – Steve Dyer (Tennessee);
Under a strategic plan of 5 years, USD28mn has been invested to achieve this goal at its factory in Batticaloa.
for the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol (Trust Protocol), a Cottonseed – Fred Serven (Tennessee);
The strategic plan includes on-site renewable energy generation, resource optimization by technologically
new standard developed to help the U.S. cotton Manufacturer – Jim Martin (North Carolina);
advanced and energy efficient HVAC systems, sewing machines, lighting, air compressors and building
production sector further reduce its footprint by Brands/Retailers are Liza Schillo, Levi Strauss &
fabric. An addition of approximately 20MW of solar and biomass to current energy mix will also be done.
enabling producers to assess their performance Co., and Joe Little, Tesco; AD
against specific sustainability goals. Through Suzy Friedman, Environmental Defence Fund;
Brandix secured the world’s first LEED Platinium certification in 2008. Ms Natasha Boralessa, Brandix Director
robust data inputs, the Trust Protocol will add
Melissa Ho, the World Wildlife Fund; Marty Matlock,
Projects, “It is truly a monumental milestone for us to secure another world first by achieving net zero carbon
confidence throughout the supply chain – position-
the University of Arkansas; and Garry Bell, formerly
status for the Batticalo factory to join in the World Green Building Council’s Commitment. Brandix has signed
ing U.S. cotton as the responsible choice for mills
with Gildan.
up with the US Green Building Council for all Brandix facilities to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2023.”
and retailers.
Trust Protocol advisors include: Jesse Daystar,
The appointees include delegates from across the Cotton Incorporated; Andy Jordan, Jordan Consult-
entire supply chain, leading industry, scientific and ing; Marc Lewkowitz, Supima; Mark Pryor, The
academic experts as well as representatives from Seam; and Mike Quinn, Frontier Spinning Mills.
Pakistan textile industry receives Rs 44.5bn
world renowned environmental organizations.
After initiation of a pilot earlier this year, full imple-
“We are proud to announce the appointment of the mentation is scheduled for 2020 for the Trust
under the PM’s Export Package
Trust Protocol’s first-ever board of directors,” said Protocol, which is aimed at helping U.S. cotton
Ken Burton, Trust Protocol executive director. “This achieve by 2025 these national sustainability goals:
group of individuals bring unmatched expertise • 13% Increase in productivity, i.e. reduced land
within the cotton industry, a thorough understand- use per pound of fiber;
• 18% Increase in irrigation efficiency;
According to a senior official in the Ministry of textiles, the textile ministry has paid up Rs 44.5 billion so far to
ing of the sustainability challenges facing the textile
industry and experience within the retail sector. • 39% Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions;
the local textile industry under Prime Minister’s Exports Enhancement Package since July 2017, with an
Working together, the Board will ensure the Proto- • 15% Reduction in energy expenditures;
objective to help boost exports from the country.
col will meet sustainability requirements throughout • 50% Reduction in soil loss; and
the supply chain and provide an unmatched level • 30% Increase in soil carbon.
Over the last 10months, the textile ministry has paid Rs 20 billion to the textile industry and still intends to
of transparency and accountability.”
further pay Rs6 billion more in the coming months.
The directors will govern the Trust Protocol which
It is expected that during the coming year, the government would further pay Rs 30 billion to the textile industry
Directors representing the raw cotton industry
has a mission of meeting U.S. cotton customers’
include: sustainability needs and providing transparency on
to serve the purpose of value addition which according to the textile and economic experts will boost the
country’s external trade.
Producers – Matt Coley (Georgia); Ted Schneider
(Louisiana); Shawn Holladay (Texas); and Aaron cotton industry efforts to promote farmer economic
livelihood, environmental stewardship, caring of
The Exports Enhancement Package was aimed at bridging gap between exports and imports by encouraging
Barcellos (California);
the export-oriented industry and incentivizing the industrial sector for introducing the innovative, modern and
people and community, and personal and corpo-
Ginner – David Blakemore (Missouri);
cost cutting technologies, particularly in the textile industry.
Marketing Cooperative – Hank Reichle (Mississippi); rate integrity.
November/December 2019
July/August 2020