Asahi Kasei Corp. has renewed its membership in the Business Call to Action (BCtA) led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with businesses in India for Bemberg™ regenerated cellulose fibre (cupro) and Microza™ polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow-fibre membrane.
Since joining BCtA in 2016, Asahi Kasei’s support for stakeholders in the Bemberg™ value chain in India from raw material to garment as well as its collaboration with academia have been highly evaluated as a business model combining commercial activities and sustainable development.
BCtA is a unique multilateral alliance led by six development agencies and Governments, including the UNDP.
It aims to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by challenging companies to develop inclusive business models that engage people at the base of the economic pyramid.
The company said in a press release that while continuing to create new employment opportunities in the textile industry in India and to foster young talent that will lead the next generation of India’s fashion industry, it is additionally advancing plans to install industrial wastewater treatment systems which are essential for the environment-friendly sustainable development of the textile industry.
Bemberg™ is the brand name of a regenerated cellulose fibre made from cotton linter, the fuzz around cotton seeds. It is widely used for the lining of high-quality suits as well as many other applications such as outerwear, innerwear, bedding and sportswear.
Microza™ is a hollow-fibre membrane for filtration systems used in a wide range of fields spanning from chemicals and high-precision electronics to potable water, wastewater, foods, pharmaceuticals, power plants and environmental protection. It is highly appraised by customers based on an established track record of performance.
It is worth mentioning here that this is the 45th year since Bemberg™ yarn was first exported to India in 1976.
Traditional garments worn by many women are made of Bemberg™ in India. With export volumes growing to over 4,000 tonnes per year, India is currently at the heart of the Bemberg™.
To support local manufacturers, Asahi Kasei lends equipment to remove linter from cotton seeds free of charge, while its engineers provide the local workers with training and technical instructions for improving productivity. Cotton linter imported to Japan is processed into Bemberg™ yarn, which is exported to India and sold to weavers. Asahi Kasei also provides ongoing technical guidance on weaving and dyeing in the fabric production process in India.