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Jul 25, 2023

DyStar Cut Water Use and GHG Emissions, Streamlining Operating Costs

Singapore based specialty chemical firm DyStar is marching steadily toward its 2025 ESG targets. The group, which manufactures dyes and colorants, released its 13th annual sustainability report this

Singapore based specialty chemical firm DyStar is marching steadily toward its 2025 ESG targets.

The group, which manufactures dyes and colorants, released its 13th annual sustainability report this week, detailing its efforts to stay on course amid the geopolitical and economic challenges that are affecting the fashion industry at large.

“The world has become more complicated with a cascading series of global crises and conflicts starting with Covid-19 pandemic,” executive board director Xu Yalin wrote, “And all these threats are creating significant challenges to the global economies and the supply chain we operate in today.” The global economy’s loss of momentum last year, along with the Russia-Ukraine war and rising energy, transportation and labor costs “have caused many businesses across the world to suffer on their reporting cards,” Xu added. “Our dye business operations, like many other businesses, are similarly challenged.”

But, “resilience allows us to navigate through tough times and seize the moment,” he said—and the company has delivered significant progress on its 2025 ESG targets compared to a 2011 baseline. DyStar has reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and wastewater production by more than 30 percent. The group’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG output was 45 percent lower than 12 years ago, and 9 percent less than 2021. The group is making double-digit strides toward wastewater reduction, reducing its 2022 output by 24 percent compared with 2021, and 52 percent since 2011.

DyStar recently launched new modules for its Cadira resource-saving dye technology, allowing its customers to save water and energy while also reducing chemical use. The technology now encompasses polyester and recycled polyester dyeing, reactive dyeing processes, poly-cellulosic dyeing, cellulosic processing, wool, nylon and denim dyeing, laundry and printing processes.

The firm conducts both internal audits of its suppliers related to sustainability and climate impact, and works with the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE). DyStar was recognized and ranked second by industry on IPE’s Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI), the group wrote. The full launch of DyStar University, a proprietary learning management software, supports employee education across the globe.

It is also helping its customers track their own environmental impacts through the development and deployment of an information platform called Eliot, which provides guidance on sustainable product selection and process optimization. The user-friendly tool provides DyStar customers with information about its greenest products and processes.

“We acknowledge that challenges are increasing in making our global supply chain cleaner, better, and more efficient,” CEO Eric Hopmann wrote. “Water consumption in many regions poses a real threat, and so is energy supply becoming more expensive. We are determined to help our customers by offering more innovative solutions such as through our Cadira concept, without compromising quality and performance.”

“One of the key opportunities ahead lies in striking the right balance between improving our environmental footprint and managing costs effectively,” the executive added. The increased production efficiency and streamlining of manufacturing has helped the firm’s bottom line, with operating costs reduced by 5.8 percent from the previous financial year. Hopmann said the firm’s infrastructure is well-equipped to meet new challenges and introduce new solutions, “However, the speed of implementation may depend on various factors that we will closely monitor and adapt to accordingly.”

Xu said the firm’s recent reporting “clearly showcases DyStar’s unwavering dedication to sustainability, reaffirming its role as both a manufacturer and supplier of innovative solutions in this field.”

“DyStar’s value-creation model will continue to support our stakeholders, including brands and retailers, direct customers, and producers in their pursuit for a sustainable quality product that can help them save valuable resources as well as being climate-impact compliant,” he added.

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