Bangladesh Pushes Greener Textile Wastewater Treatment

Bangladesh needs joint research between the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and textile-sector businesses to develop and implement environmentally sustainable technologies for treating industrial wastewater, Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain has said. He stressed the need for coordinated research to remove harmful substances from textile effluent, reduce groundwater and potable-water consumption, and develop alternatives to imported chemical dyes. He also called for long-term partnerships among BCSIR, apparel-sector associations and domestic chemical manufacturers.

Hossain made the remarks as chief guest at a discussion on Monday, October 19, at the meeting room of the Ministry of Science and Technology in Dhaka. The discussion focused on the research titled “Process Development for the Treatment of Wastewater from Textile Industries in Bangladesh” by Sabrina Mostafa, a senior scientific officer at BCSIR’s Institute of Glass and Ceramic Research and Testing (IGCRT) and a PhD researcher at Australia’s RMIT University.

Joint Research for Wastewater Treatment

The secretary said BCSIR should work jointly with the sustainability departments of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) to develop processes for environmentally sound treatment of wastewater from textile and garment factories.

He called for a skilled research and development (R&D) team to develop effective treatment processes that begin before effluent is discharged from industrial plants. He said improved treatment technologies and their effective industrial application could contribute to environmental protection and sustainable industrialisation.

Hossain also stressed the need to reduce the use of chemical dyes and increase the use of locally available natural materials. Domestic inputs, he said, could lower production costs while supporting environmental protection. He urged local chemical manufacturers with R&D capabilities to establish long-term partnerships with industry to reduce dependence on expensive imported dyes.

Technology for Water Reuse

The secretary called for developing and applying technologies that minimise water consumption in textile dyeing, reducing excessive reliance on groundwater and potable water. He also stressed the need to apply new research findings to enable the reuse of post-dyeing water and treated industrial wastewater.

Hossain expressed confidence that coordinated efforts by BCSIR, domestic chemical manufacturers and garment-sector entrepreneurs, supported by clear planning and sustained research, could help make Bangladesh’s textile industry more environmentally responsible, sustainable and profitable while meeting international standards.

Rice Husk Explored for Colour Removal

In her presentation, Mostafa said the research was exploring locally available materials, including rice husks and rice-husk powder, as alternatives to conventional, expensive decolourising agents used to remove toxic and harmful dyes from textile wastewater.

According to the presentation, the approach could reduce wastewater-treatment costs and environmental impacts. She also said it could help implement a provision in the 2024 government environmental guidelines referring to a limit of 150 for coloured substances or units. The precise regulatory parameter was not further specified in the supplied source.

Discussions also covered field piloting and initial practical implementation of the technology through the Australia-Bangladesh Innovation Centre, with technical and research support from Dr Nowshad Haque. The participants discussed plans to support wider adoption in Bangladesh’s textile industry through systematic expert assistance.

Joining virtually from Australia, scientific officer Dr Nowshad Haque said the low-cost method, which uses local natural materials to remove colour from textile wastewater, could help make Bangladesh’s textile sector greener and more environmentally sustainable. He added that it could also improve the industry’s competitiveness in global markets.

BKMEA Offers Support for Pilot Implementation

BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem described the research initiative as timely for the textile industry. He said the association was ready to support the Ministry of Science and Technology in moving the technology quickly towards pilot testing and implementation.

The discussion was attended by Dr Syeda Naushin Parnini, additional secretary at the Ministry of Science and Technology; Dr Samina Ahmed, chairman of BCSIR; representatives of BGMEA; and representatives of H&M’s sustainability department.

//DBTech/SPMM/SME/BPO//