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Grasim Industries Limited's Viscose Filament Yarn (VFY) Business stands as India's largest manufacturer of viscose filament yarn with a rich heritage spanning over 60 years. Belonging to the prestigious Aditya Birla Group, a global conglomerate in the Fortune 500, Grasim's VFY business also holds the distinction of being the largest VFY manufacturer and exporter from India. Its manufacturing units, Century Rayon in Kalyan, Maharashtra, and Indian Rayon in Veraval, Gujarat are at the forefront of the industry adopting to latest technologies and best practices.
In recent times, the fashion industry's focus on sustainability has catapulted Manmade Cellulosic Fibres (MMCF), including VFY, into the spotlight. The Global Fashion Brands are now imposing stringent norms and sourcing policies concerning raw materials, consumption ratios, and environmental discharges, making MMCF a preferred choice from companies adhering to the sustainability norms.
Acknowledging the growing significance of sustainability, the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) foundation in the Netherlands published the ZDHC MMCF Guidelines V1.0 in April 2020, initially targeting the Viscose/Modal staple fibre manufacturing sector. Recognizing the need for comprehensive guidelines covering other MMCF categories like VFY, Cuprammonium Rayon (cupro), Cellulose Acetate (acetate), and Lyocell, the ZDHC foundation has recently released the updated ZDHC MMCF Guidelines V2.0 in January 2023.
This revised guideline presents an integrated approach, addressing discharged wastewater quality, emissions to air, and chemical recovery at manufacturing facilities producing man-made cellulosic fibres and filaments. The guidelines are structured into three levels: Foundational, Progressive, and Aspirational, each defining limit values and recovery rates to guide manufacturers in their sustainability endeavours.
Keen on embracing sustainability, Grasim Industries, VFY - Fashion Yarn Business proactively evaluated its manufacturing units for compliance through third-party assessments. Sustainable Textile Solutions (STS), a division of BluWin Ltd. based in Huddersfield, UK, conducted assessments of Unit - Century Rayon, Kalyan (Maharashtra) and Unit - Indian Rayon, Veraval (Gujarat). The assessments were aimed to measure the ecological impact and resource consumption during production and evaluate adherence to the ZDHC MMCF Guidelines V2.0.
The assessments revealed commendable progress at both the manufacturing units of Grasim Industries VFY Business, as they achieved the ZDHC Progressive level for wastewater sampling. Additionally, both the facilities are monitoring ambient air quality at their boundaries through third-party NABL accredited laboratory, attaining values below detectable limits (BDL). Grasim’s VFY Business has also been diligent in adhering to the best practices for raw material consumption and complying with foundation requirements for salt recovery, further underlining their commitment to sustainability.
By embracing the ZDHC MMCF Guidelines V2.0 assessment with the support of an external agency, Grasim’s VFY Business demonstrated its dedication towards the Roadmap to Zero Program. Their achievement of Progressive level and future focus on achieving the Aspirational level sets a pioneering example for the VFY manufacturers worldwide, firmly establishing their position and reiterating their commitment as leaders in sustainable fashion.
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