A local pioneer in Carbon Footprint and EU Flower logo, Thong Thai Textile Co., Ltd., and its subsidiaries, Visiontex and Textile House Co., Ltd., are looking for partners to supply the fast growing niche market for ‘cool mode’ garment and other Eco textiles.
 

“Climate change became a public issue 6 years ago and drove market demand for cloth bags. The next Olympic Games will showcase ‘green’ sportswear. Demand for organic cotton tripled in the last 2 years and continues to grow steadily. Green products have a ready market and also stimulate organizational awareness of energy conservation. Apart from EU Flower tag for cotton shirts, our production plant has earned the carbon footprint certificate for lower carbon emission. Thong Thai also complies with ISO14000 and ISO18000 environmental standards. Because of strong commitment to environmental standards and waste reduction, customers who don’t buy EU Flower products are interested in long-term partnership,” affirmed Mr. Dej Pathanasethpong, managing director.
  

Demand for Eco Textiles has grown briskly in the last 2-3 years because major brand names have set specifications for environmental protection, safety, health and sanitation. Bleaching and finishing represent 80% of textile production processes that require inspection or verification of country of origin and waste disposal. Used products which are degradable within 2-3 years are considered green, explained Mr. Pilan Dhammongkol, owner of Greenville and Textile House Co., which design innovative fiber materials/ fabrics and help to formulate Eco textile standards.

Filling the market gap for color-fast and non-toxic school uniforms in the North and Northeast regions, suppliers who worked with Textile House could increase the selling price for uniforms from Bt120 to Bt180 based on product differentiation. These suppliers are likely to be accredited under the new textile standard to be issued by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute even though less than 1,000 suppliers will comply with the new standard, as compared with over 10,000 previously certified. Textile House also collaborated in brand building for native costumes produced by a group of North -East housewives, as well as other Eco textile products under the Community Product Brand.
 

“Encountering problems in producing Eco textile is normal but you must persevere. The key success factor is communication. To understand the product concept, you need to listen carefully to what customers are saying and make the necessary adjustments. Detailed production plan must include selection of dyes, chemicals and production methods that suit specific standards. Thailand Textile Institute and major chemical companies also provide technical support,” said Mr. Pilan.

Ph.D. Chanchai Sirikasemlert, Director of Technology Department, Thailand Textile Institute, explained 5 ‘green’ product concepts, namely: recycling and re-use of waste as raw materials, eco-design, using renewable natural fibers such as kapok or poppy plants, waste management, and novel technology. 

Thailand Textile Institute’s project to improve the competitiveness of Thai Textile industry aims to create an environmentally friendly production network that complies with Eco-Label standard. From May 2010 to March 2011, upstream and downstream factories will participate in 17 Eco textile projects that will strengthen Thai textile industry and promote Thailand’s role as the ASEAN Eco textile Hub.
 

After 10 years of producing Oko-Tex label, Textile Prestige Public Co., Ltd., is participating in the project to comply with Eco textile standards. The company supports product differentiation by supplying vital data,” said Mr. Wachara Poomarintr, Executive Director.