Hayleys Fabrics PLC, Sri Lanka’s largest textile manufacturer, has been awarded the prestigious ZDHC Torchbearer Award in recognition of its outstanding leadership in sustainable chemical management. The award was presented by Prasad Pant, ZDHC South Asia Region Director, during the fifth ZDHC South Asia Regional Conference on Sustainable Chemical Management in the Fashion Industry, held recently in Chennai, India.
Prasanna Pathirana, Executive Director of HR and Administration, accepted the award on behalf of Hayleys Fabrics. This accolade underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and its efforts to foster a safer and healthier textile industry. As a Gold sponsor of the conference, Hayleys Fabrics further showcased its leadership in promoting sustainable practices in the sector.
The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation is a global nonprofit dedicated to eliminating harmful chemical discharge from the textile, apparel, and footwear industries. It aims to establish a sustainable textile supply chain that protects both the environment and human health. The ZDHC collaborates with major brands, retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers worldwide to develop and implement standards, tools, and programs for sustainable chemical management.
Hayleys Fabrics has been a signatory member of the ZDHC Foundation since 2021, having actively pursued the Roadmap to Zero program since 2015. This early commitment to sustainable chemical management is evident in its operations. At the conference, Dunstan Weragala, Head of Compliance at Hayleys Fabrics, shared insights on how the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero program has significantly contributed to the company’s sustainability goals.
Notably, Hayleys Fabrics is the first and only Sri Lankan textile manufacturer to receive the ZDHC Torchbearer Award, highlighting its pioneering role in the industry. The award recognizes organizations that excel in implementing the ZDHC Supplier to Zero program, which advocates for sustainable chemical management. Hayleys Fabrics was chosen based on its consistent execution of ZDHC programs, support for upstream stakeholders, contributions to the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero, and demonstrated leadership in sustainable practices.
In his acceptance speech, Pathirana credited Hayleys Fabrics’ Managing Director and CEO, Rohan Goonetilleke, for his unwavering support and guidance throughout the company’s sustainability journey. He also acknowledged the critical efforts of the Compliance Division, led by DGM Compliance Dunstan Weragala, in driving the company’s progress in sustainable chemical management.
Hayleys Fabrics’ dedication to sustainable practices is integral to its broader sustainability objectives, encapsulated in the Hayleys Life code. By prioritizing environmentally friendly practices, the company contributes to a safer textile supply chain, environmental protection, and responsible consumption, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. This achievement further cements Hayleys Fabrics PLC’s position as a leader in sustainable textile manufacturing in Sri Lanka, setting a benchmark for others to follow.