Textile millers seek permission to import recyclable plastics

The country's textile millers have urged the government to permit the import of recyclable plastics and to provide adequate support for utilising plastic flakes and polyester staple fibre (PSF) products produced through proper procedures.

These products could serve as import substitutes and significantly contribute to the economy by generating foreign exchange through exports, said Showkat Aziz Russell, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), in a recent letter to the chief adviser.

In the letter, Russell said allowing the import of recyclable plastics and textile waste with a 5% specific duty for use in the recycling textile industries could add an additional $40–$50 billion annually in export earnings.

Furthermore, the BTMA advocated for safeguarding the legitimate interests of the local industry by facilitating the import of all types of textile waste, including cotton waste, which serves as a key raw material for mills producing recycled fibre.

The letter also called for revising the notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change on 27 August 2024, and for a meeting with stakeholders to determine the appropriate policy.

Bangladesh's annual import of PSF from various countries is around 1,200 tonnes,said the letter. Based on current statistics, producing PSF domestically using reusable plastic bottles instead of importing PSF would save $150 million in foreign exchange.

The letter further said Bangladesh could earn $40–$50 billion from non-cotton textiles and apparel products by 2030 by effectively utilising and exporting reusable plastics.

Moreover, renowned multinational companies such as Reebok, Pepsi, Nestlé, and Coca-Cola have committed to using flakes and granules produced from plastics in soft drink bottles and other packaging.

As a result, the global plastics industry, which serves the ready-made garment and shipbreaking sectors, is expanding rapidly.

Bangladesh is home to 23 man-made fibre and synthetic yarn manufacturing plants, with an investment of Tk25,000 crore. These factories require 900 tonnes of PSF daily, but local sources can supply only 20% of the demand, according to BTMA.