Textile sector is considered as the backbone of Pakistan economy as it is the most important industrial sector of Pakistan in terms of export and labor force employment.

Around 700 textile processing units are currently working in the country. The units carry out various textile processes, ranging from desizing and bleaching to calendaring. Textile and its made-ups account for more than 65 % of the total exports from the country amounting to US $ 8 (eight) billion in the year 2003-04.

Environmental problems associated with the Textile Processing sector are well known. With increasing global awareness regarding the issues of environment and pollution, improved environmental performance has become a major factor in the dynamics of the world markets, and successful businesses around the globe are striving to achieve the goals of responsible environmental behavior.

To enhance and sustain the textile exports of Pakistan it is essential to address the associated environmental problems on urgent basis. The new regime of international trade under World Trade Organization (WTO) demands that the production of textile products should comply local environmental standards. If these standards are not followed precisely, the Pakistani textile products would not be accepted in the international markets.  

Keeping this point in view, Cleaner Production Institute (CPI) has initiated ‘Cleaner Technology Program for Textile Industries with the financial assistance of Royal Netherlands Embassy (RNE). 

OBJECTIVES

CTP is aimed to enable textile–processing sector of Pakistan to comply with national and international environmental legislation by the year 2006.

The objective of this program is to ensure that the Pakistani textile industry remains competitive in the post WTO scenario, and especially with regard to the environmental performance.

The approach of the program is to resolve the environmental problems of Textile Processing sector through the implementation of cost effective and technically simple available cleaner technologies which are being practiced  all over the world

COMPONENTS

	Execution of environmental audits, development of environmental action plans, and development of cleaner technology designs
	Implementation of cleaner technologies (CT)
	Installation of wastewater treatment plants
	ISO 14001 certification
	Eco-label certification
	Training on environmental issues and management systems
	Strengthening of regional textile associations for delivering environmental services to their members on sustainable basis.

BENEFITS

A variety of multi faceted benefits are expected from the implementation of this project, including:

	Resource conservation resulting in reduced production costs
	Compliance of national and internal environmental legislation
	Improved working environment thus enhanced productivity levels for the workforce
	Enhanced level of technical knowledge
	Trained professionals on EMS, CP technology and Eco-labelling in textile processing units, and
	Improved market image of the Pakistani textile products in the international markets