How Sulochana Mills is Utilizing Scalable LCAs with Green Story to Reach Net Zero by 2027

Introduction

Sulochana Cotton Spinning Mills Private Limited, a key player in the Indian textile industry, is renowned for its expertise in mélange yarn and its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. With an annual turnover of USD 90 million and a daily production capacity of 150,000 kg, Sulochana Mills stands as India’s largest mélange yarn manufacturer. Additionally, through Sulochana Polyesters, the company processes 8 million PET bottles daily into 140 tonnes of Recycled Polyester Staple Fiber (RPSF). As part of its growth and commitment to sustainability, Sulochana Mills sought to quantify the environmental impact of its operations to enhance its credibility and engage more effectively with customers and stakeholders.

Challenges

Sulochana Mills faced the challenge of quantifying the impact of its sustainable manufacturing practices. They aimed to conduct product-level assessments to gain a deeper understanding of their environmental impacts and to use this insight to develop a long-term sustainability strategy. This quantification was crucial for building credibility and increasing engagement with their customers and stakeholders, as well as for preparing the business to meet future sustainability goals.

Solutions

To address these challenges, Green Story collaborated closely with Sulochana Mills' production and sustainability teams. Together, they conducted a meticulous analysis of the environmental impact of Sulochana Mills’ operations, covering everything from raw material sourcing to the final product—what is known as a cradle-to-gate assessment. This comprehensive analysis enabled Sulochana Mills to understand the environmental impact at both the product and process levels.

With this detailed understanding, Sulochana Mills was able to identify key areas for improvement and set ambitious sustainability targets. One of the most significant outcomes of this collaboration was the company’s commitment to becoming "Net Zero by 2027." This goal reflects Sulochana Mills’ dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and solidifying its reputation as a responsible and forward-thinking textile manufacturer.

Data Overview

As part of the collaboration with Green Story, Sulochana Mills undertook a comprehensive mapping of their extensive product range and supply chain details. This process revealed that Sulochana Mills manages an impressive portfolio of 281 distinct products, supported by 209 unique supply chains and housed across two warehouses. These products are categorized under one primary category, further divided into 21 sub-categories, with 24 different material compositions.

From a sustainability perspective, the analysis identified 11 key sustainable attributes across their operations. Despite the absence of green energy sources, the company utilizes four types of natural fibers, showcasing their commitment to incorporating sustainable materials where possible.

The supplier network for Sulochana Mills spans three countries on average, involving 11 mapped facilities and partnerships with 11 component-level suppliers. Additionally, the company sources from seven raw material suppliers, underscoring the complexity and reach of their supply chain.

This detailed data mapping was instrumental in identifying critical hotspots within their operations and provided a solid foundation for making accurate sustainability assessments and targeted improvements.

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"Our work with Sulochana Mills showcases how scalable LCAs can unlock new levels of efficiency and transparency in textile manufacturing. This partnership is a testament to what’s possible when data and commitment to sustainability come together." - Akhil Sivanandan, Co-Founder and CEO of Green Story

Outcomes

The partnership with Green Story yielded several important outcomes for Sulochana Mills:

1. Validated Claims: Through thorough product-level assessments and on-site validation, Sulochana Mills can confidently benchmark its products against industry averages, showcasing superior environmental performance and strengthening its market position.

2. Hotspot Identification: The comprehensive mapping and analysis of Sulochana Mills’ operations identified critical hotspots in the manufacturing process, allowing the company to focus on areas where sustainability improvements would have the greatest impact.

3. Enhanced ESG Reporting and SBTs: With detailed operational insights, Sulochana Mills can now improve the accuracy of its ESG reporting, set robust Science Based Targets (SBTs), and gain a clearer understanding of its Scope 3 emissions. This data-driven approach not only supports their sustainability goals but also positions the company as a leader in environmental responsibility.

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"Green Story’s LCA insights have provided us with the clarity and precision needed to elevate our sustainability efforts. Their platform has been instrumental in helping us identify critical areas for improvement, making our sustainability strategy more impactful and data-driven." - Ramakrishnan Sabhari Girish, Head of Sustainability at Sulochana Mills

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Conclusion

Through its collaboration with Green Story, Sulochana Mills has significantly enhanced its ability to quantify and communicate the impact of its sustainable manufacturing practices. By understanding the environmental impacts at the product and process levels, and by setting ambitious goals like achieving Net Zero by 2027, Sulochana Mills is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also reinforcing its status as a responsible and innovative leader in the textile industry. This partnership has equipped Sulochana Mills with the tools and insights needed to continue driving positive change and to meet the evolving demands of a sustainability-focused market.

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