How Fakir Fashion achieved buyers' confidence

Fakir Fashion Limited, one of Bangladesh's largest knit garment manufacturers employing more than 20,000 workers, is emerging as a strong example of sustainable water resource management.

Located in Araihazar, Narayanganj, on the outskirts of Dhaka, the factory demonstrates how advanced technology and long-term vision can support environmentally responsible industrial growth.

Founded in 2009 by entrepreneur Fakir Badruzzaman, the company is now led by his sons, Fakir Kamruzzaman Nahid and Fakir Wahiduzzaman Riyad, who continue to uphold a legacy of more than four decades of entrepreneurial excellence.

With vertical integration, Fakir Fashion operates with a knitting capacity of more than 50 tonnes per day and a dyeing capacity of around 65 tonnes, according to company officials.

During an on-site visit on 17 December, the use of advanced technologies for sustainable water resource management was evident across the factory's operations.

Through upgraded dyeing technologies and real-time monitoring systems, the factory has been able to minimise reprocessing, resulting in significant savings in energy, chemicals, and time. Beyond cost efficiency, these initiatives have strengthened buyer confidence, as global brands increasingly prioritise responsible water management.

This has translated into improved audit performance, stronger long-term partnerships, and a more competitive market position – delivering both financial benefits and enhanced credibility.

From fabric production to the final stitch, Fakir Fashion is setting new benchmarks for the industry.

"The factory has upgraded all conventional dyeing machines to low-liquor-ratio Sclavos Athena units, installed Corino machines with wash-water reuse, and adopted high-fixation dyes that can reduce water use by up to 50%," said Atiqul Islam Apu, head of Compliance and Sustainability, speaking to The Business Standard.

"Through condensate and cooling-water recovery, fill-and-drain washing, bioscouring, and systematic wash-water reuse, we have significantly reduced freshwater demand," he added. 

"Our modern, technology-driven Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), real-time water monitoring, in-house testing facilities, and large-scale rainwater harvesting further strengthen efficiency and compliance. Together, these initiatives have helped us lower water intensity and position Fakir Fashion as a leader in green manufacturing," he said.

According to data provided by the company, Fakir Fashion harvested more than 92.39 million litres of rainwater up to 2020, which was reused in production processes.

Company officials said Fakir Fashion has already reduced overall water consumption by around 15% by adopting advanced water conservation and wastewater treatment systems. By cutting freshwater use and recovering cooling and condensate water, the factory has reduced utility costs and improved operational efficiency.

However, the management acknowledged that implementing sustainable water management systems has not been without challenges.

"The initial investment in advanced technologies was substantial," said Atiqul Islam, adding, "Integrating these technologies required careful planning to maintain product quality while optimising water efficiency."

"Operational expertise was another major challenge. We have been continuously training our workforce to manage new processes, conduct in-house water testing, and monitor real-time operational data," he said.

He further noted that transitioning to practices such as fill-and-drain washing, bioscouring, and high-fixation dyes required process adaptation and close coordination across departments.

"Overcoming these challenges was essential to achieving meaningful water-saving outcomes and establishing Fakir Fashion as a leader in sustainable manufacturing," he added.

Global buyers – particularly from Europe and North America – closely evaluate water management performance through transparent reporting, third-party verification, and on-site assessments.

Fakir Fashion shares monthly and quarterly water consumption and production data through buyers' online platforms, which are verified by nominated third parties.

Looking ahead, the company plans to further enhance water efficiency through several initiatives. These include increasing water reuse ratios by expanding condensate and cooling-water recovery, optimising wash-water reuse across processes, and expanding rainwater harvesting systems to capture and utilise higher volumes of rainwater, thereby reducing dependence on groundwater.

Fakir Fashion is also adopting more advanced low-liquor-ratio dyeing technologies, high-fixation dyes, and innovative wet-processing methods to further reduce freshwater demand. In addition, the company is exploring pathways towards Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) by integrating advanced treatment systems and digital monitoring tools.

"These initiatives, combined with a high level of transparency, strengthen buyer confidence and enable the company to operate effectively even in challenging conditions," Atiqul Islam said, adding that buyer expectations regarding sustainability performance – particularly water footprint reporting, wastewater quality, and broader environmental disclosures – are continuing to rise.

Beyond environmental initiatives, the factory also provides transportation facilities for workers and supplies essential goods at subsidised prices.

According to company officials, these combined efforts have increased the confidence of leading global buyers, ensuring a steady flow of work orders and long-term business relationships.