The synonym for sustainable fashion

Sustainable fashion has become more than just a choice; it is imperative. Today, sustainability is turning into a defining factor in the wardrobes of millions of consumers. And ahead of the curve, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL) has been leading the sustainable fashion movement by adopting eco-friendly practices across operations. This successful journey has helped ABFRL achieve its recent ranking as Asia's most sustainable textile company.

With its clear focus on reducing energy, water and waste, ABFRL has ranked 8th globally in the textiles, apparel and luxury goods industry for its environmental, social and governance performance in the 2020 edition of S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment.

"Over the past decade, we at ABFRL have been pioneers in driving sustainability to the forefront of the fashion and retail industry. As a responsible organisation, we aim to provide thought leadership to accelerate the sustainability drive in the industry," says Mr. Ashish Dikshit, Managing Director, ABFRL.

ABFRL has undertaken multiple initiatives to drive the sustainability agenda further. "Our journey has paved the path for several initiatives such as product sustainability, resource efficiency, renewable energy consumption and building a responsible supply chain. This has been further strengthened by strategic collaborations with global and national organisations, along with memberships of global platforms," adds Mr. Dikshit.

As India's largest pure-play fashion and lifestyle brand, the company has been leading the Indian textile industry in placing sustainability at the core of its operational philosophy. One of its products Earth Chinos developed by Peter England, was selected as a case study in sustainable innovation at the UN environment road testing platform.

Earth Chinos utilises agro-waste based dyes as colourants. While most dyes contain petrochemicals, these are created using beetroots, orange peels, olives, almond shells and other natural raw materials. This eco-friendly dye positively impacts all stakeholders involved in the supply chain, while consistently meeting the social, economic and environmental pillars of sustainability.

A sustainable business model

ABFRL has demonstrated that fashion can be in tune with nature. It has worked to significantly reduce grid electricity consumption through energy efficiency measures, zero waste to landfills and achieve water neutral status.

ABFRL’s sustainability strategy entails creating an ecosystem to facilitate the shift from the current 'take-make-dispose' approach to one that is more circular across the lifecycle. The company is an anchor partner for Circular Apparel Innovation Factory, an industry-led action platform, aimed at accelerating the transition to a circular economy.

“We aim to give back more than what we take from our ecosystem and constantly work to regenerate, restore and revitalise ecosystems, and communities that we operate in. It will further help contribute to a low-carbon, circular and resilient fashion and retail industry. In doing so, we inch closer to the global Sustainable Development Goals,” says Dr. Naresh Tyagi, Chief Sustainability Officer, ABFRL.

ABFRL has developed a rigorous framework to perform in a resource-constrained world and as a way to ensure the future-proofing of its operations. Its sustainability programme, labelled ‘ReEarth - For Our Tomorrow’, provides the broad framework for its sustainability processes and systems.

Leveraging tech to go green

Technology is a big lever in the sustainability gameplan. The company uses a digital dashboard, an IT platform, to capture sustainability KPIs. The Product Sustainability Attribute Methodology -- used to measure and enhance product sustainability across the value chain -- ensures that green metrics are achieved. Group technical standards (international standards) on environment and safety have been rolled out to understand the conformance levels and create short and long-term action plans.

Going green has meant establishing robust mechanisms to achieve its sustainability objectives. The company works in tandem with its value chain to evaluate environment measures down the line. ABFRL was the first Indian retailer to release a Restricted Substances List (RSL). Since 2012, it has been assessing its suppliers on their adherence to the RSL.

ABFRL’s sustainability strategy also entails creating an ecosystem to facilitate the shift from the current 'take-make-dispose' approach to one that is more circular across the lifecycle. The company is an anchor partner for Circular Apparel Innovation Factory, an industry-led action platform, aimed at accelerating the transition to a circular economy.

ABFRL also collaborates with key global partners such as Sustainable Apparel Coalition - The Higg Index, Ellen Mc Arthur Foundation, etc and is also part of the national agenda for sustainability through SU.RE (Sustainable Resolution).

Eye on the future

While considerable progress has been achieved in reducing its carbon footprint, ABFRL aims to gradually shift towards a holistic product-centric approach as part of its Sustainability 2.0 journey. “The 'Sustainability 2.0' journey will transition from a process-led to a product-led sustainability strategy. It will also help contribute to a low-carbon, circular and resilient fashion and retail industry. In doing so, we inch closer to contribute to meeting the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” says Dr. Tyagi.

ABFRL’s sustainability gains are incontrovertible proof that social and business concerns need not be in conflict. As India’s most green fashion and lifestyle company, ABFRL will continue to raise the bar for planet-friendly fashion.

Sustainability 2.0

ABFRL has created a robust framework to perform in a resource-constrained world. It involves:

• Embedding sustainability right from product design to development
• Focusing on raw material sourcing, which includes sustainable materials, clean energy management, human rights and compliance, water and chemical management, and zero defects
• Investing in sustainable supply chain management
• Endorsing circularity, recycling and upcycling

Leading from the front: ABFRL achieved New Milestones in FY20-21

• ABFRL ranked as 'Asia's Most Sustainable Company' and 8th globally in the textiles, apparel and luxury goods industry for its environmental, social and governance performance in the 2020 edition of S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment and also member of S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2021.
• ABFRL received the 'Outstanding Accomplishment Award' in the Corporate Excellence category at the CII-ITC Sustainability Awards 2020.
• ABFRL recognized as one of 'India's Most Sustainable Companies, 2020' by BW Business World.
• ABFRL graced with the 'Golden Peacock Award 2020' for Sustainability in the Textile and Apparel Sector.