Nanotech for Sustainable Textiles Stressed to Boost Global Competitiveness
State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid Habib has emphasized increasing the use of nanotechnology to make Bangladesh’s textile industry more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and globally competitive.
He said the excessive use of water and chemicals in the textile wet processing sector is creating significant pressure on the environment and water resources. Nanotechnology, he noted, could offer an effective solution to this crisis. However, he also pointed out that implementing the technology at the initial stage could increase production costs by up to 60 percent, making government support for the industry essential.
He made these remarks as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Sustainable Textile Wet Processing through Nanotechnology: Industrial Opportunities and Challenges,” held on Saturday, 16 May, at the Council Hall of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) headquarters in Ramna, Dhaka. The seminar was organized by the Textile Engineering Division of IEB.
The state minister said the textile sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy, foreign currency earnings, employment generation, and industrialization. He noted that Bangladesh currently ranks second globally in textile production, which he described as a matter of national pride.
However, he identified excessive water consumption as one of the industry’s major challenges, particularly in dyeing, washing, and finishing processes where vast amounts of water are wasted. According to him, greater adoption of nanotechnology could significantly reduce the use of water and chemicals while making production more environmentally sustainable.
He further said that engineers must not remain confined only to jobs if they want to keep pace with technological transformation. Greater focus on research and innovation is necessary, he added, stressing that Bangladesh can advance in global competition only through research-based industrialization.
The seminar was chaired by Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed Selim, Chairman of the Textile Engineering Division of IEB.
Speaking as a special guest, Engineer Sanjida Islam Tuli said excessive use of water and chemicals in the textile industry is increasing the risk of environmental pollution. She noted that improving waste management, expanding water recycling, and increasing the use of green energy could make the industry more eco-friendly.
Engineer Shahrin Islam Tuhin, Convener of the Association of Engineers Bangladesh (AEB), said developed countries invest a large portion of textile sector earnings into research and development, enabling them to innovate new technologies and reduce production costs. He stressed the importance of establishing modern textile research centers in Bangladesh as well.
IEB President and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam (Riju) said transforming the textile sector into a research-driven industry requires university-based research centers and a modern national-level textile research institute.
Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX), Professor Dr. Engineer Md. Julhas Uddin, said untreated chemical waste from the textile industry poses a severe threat to rivers, canals, and groundwater. He emphasized ensuring effective Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to protect the environment.
At the same time, he recalled that the foundation for undergraduate education in textiles in Bangladesh was established in 1978 through the initiative of martyred President Ziaur Rahman.
In his welcome speech, Honorary General Secretary of IEB Professor Dr. Engineer Md. Sabbir Mostafa Khan said that although Bangladesh’s textile sector earns substantial foreign currency, a large portion of that income flows abroad due to imports of yarn, fabrics, chemicals, and machinery parts. Therefore, he stressed that there is no alternative to research and technological advancement for increasing domestic raw material production capacity.
The keynote paper at the seminar was presented by Professor Dr. Engineer Imana Shahrin Tania, Head of the Wet Process Engineering Department at BUTEX. She said nanotechnology could play a significant role in ensuring environmentally friendly production by reducing excessive consumption of water, energy, and chemicals in the wet processing sector.
The event was moderated by Engineer Md. Mustafa-I-Zaman, Secretary of the Textile Engineering Division of IEB. The vote of thanks was delivered by the division’s Vice Chairman Engineer Md. Sayedur Rahman.
DBTech/SI/MUM/OR
