Validating Sustainability Efforts at Shobikaa Impex with Green Story
Introduction
Shobikaa Impex Private Limited, a leading manufacturer in India's recycled yarn industry, is widely recognized for its commitment to sustainability and high-quality products. As a forward-thinking company in the textile sector, Shobikaa Impex sought to enhance its sustainability practices and strengthen its market positioning. To achieve this, they partnered with Green Story to conduct a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and validate their environmental efforts through on-site verification.
Challenge
To maintain its competitive edge and credibility, Shobikaa Impex needed to accurately measure and validate the environmental impact of its recycled yarn products. The company aimed to quantify the benefits of using recycled PET (rPET) over virgin PET materials and to communicate these findings effectively to stakeholders. Additionally, Shobikaa Impex wanted to demonstrate that its sustainability practices are not only beneficial for the environment but also aligned with industry standards.
Solution
Green Story collaborated closely with Shobikaa Impex to perform a detailed LCA on their key recycled yarns, including Fully Drawn Yarn (FDY), Partially Oriented Yarn (POY), and Drawn Textured Yarn (DTY) made from recycled PET (rPET) flakes. The study collected 107 data points across five key processes: the production of rPET flakes from waste PET bottles, FDY, POY, DTY production, and water treatment. A comparative analysis was conducted against virgin PET-based alternatives, examining three impact categories: Global Warming Potential (GWP), Primary Energy Demand (PED), and Blue Water Consumption (BWC).
The results revealed that Shobikaa Impex’s rPET-based products have a significantly lower cradle-to-gate environmental footprint compared to their virgin PET counterparts, achieving notable reductions in GWP, PED, and BWC. Additionally, the waste generated during production is sold to a third party, further minimizing the environmental impact.
Site Verification and Validation
To ensure the accuracy and credibility of the LCA findings, Green Story’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Dr. Kannan Muthu, led a series of thorough on-site visits to Shobikaa Impex's manufacturing facilities. These visits allowed the team to validate the data collected, confirm the sustainability practices in place, and recognize the outstanding efforts made by Shobikaa Impex to minimize their environmental footprint.
During these visits, Green Story verified the processes and data points used in the LCA, confirming the factory's commitment to reducing waste, lowering carbon emissions, and optimizing resource use. This hands-on approach provided additional assurance that the sustainability claims made by Shobikaa Impex were credible and based on rigorous scientific analysis.
Outcomes
As a result of the collaboration with Green Story, Shobikaa Impex has successfully:
Validated its Sustainability Claims: The LCA and on-site verification confirmed that Shobikaa Impex's recycled yarns have a lower environmental impact than virgin PET-based alternatives. This validation strengthens their market position and credibility among stakeholders.
Enhanced Sales Opportunities: With verified data and recognized sustainability efforts, Shobikaa Impex is better positioned to attract eco-conscious buyers and expand its market reach.
Strategized for Future Improvements: The insights from the LCA and site visits have provided Shobikaa Impex with a roadmap for further sustainability enhancements, aligning their operations with best practices in the industry.
Conclusion
By partnering with Green Story, Shobikaa Impex has taken a significant step forward in its sustainability journey. The comprehensive LCA and rigorous on-site verification have not only confirmed their environmental impact reductions but also showcased their commitment to sustainable practices. As Shobikaa Impex continues to innovate and improve, they stand out as a leader in the recycled yarn industry, driving positive change and setting a benchmark for others to follow.