Accessories, packaging entrepreneurs ramp up investments in sustainable tech
Investors are tight-lipped about their investment amounts
Highlights:
- Expo Accessories Ltd plans to invest $200m in RFID inlays using German tech
- It also plans LEED-certified Hi-Tech Park with 1MW solar power
- Blazon Trims & Packaging produces 5 types of product, including labels, RFID tags
- Technopack Machinery reduces power usage by 30% for energy efficiency
Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh's accessories and packaging industry are ramping up investments in sustainable and energy-efficient technologies to meet Western demand and address the country's ongoing power challenges, say industry leaders and entrepreneurs.
They made the observation during discussions on the third day of the 14th Garments Accessories & Packaging Exposition (GAPEXPO) 2025, held in the capital yesterday alongside its concurrent event, Garment Technology Bangladesh (GTB) 2025.
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However, the industry leaders are tight-lipped about their investment amounts.
The four-day event is underway at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) and is jointly organised by the Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) and ASK Trade Show and Exhibition Private Limited.
It featured about 500 companies from 25 countries showcasing products, raw materials, and machinery for the garments, knitwear, packaging, footwear, and textile industries.
Focus on green manufacturing
Blazon Trims and Packaging Ltd Chairman and CEO Mohammad Iqbal Ahmed Khan highlighted their focus on green manufacturing.
"We are using sustainable materials such as recycled yarn and other eco-friendly components to meet buyer demands," he said. The company also generates renewable energy from its 150 KW solar power plant.
Khan noted that buyers are offering better prices for green products compared to conventional ones. The factory, designed with over 40% open space, aims to achieve LEED platinum certification.
Operating since 2018, the company employs 200 workers and has an annual turnover of $6.5 million. It produces six types of products, including labels, packaging materials, and RFID tags.
"We are focusing on new and innovative products to tap into untapped markets," Khan said, emphasising their commitment to raw material traceability through a custom-developed ERP system.
He also mentioned advancements in RFID-based care labels, which will enable next-generation washing machines to read product care information through sensors, helping prevent counterfeit products.
Quality machinery and sustainability
Technopack Industrial Machinery Company Ltd Managing Director Shishir Gain shared insights about the company's long-standing presence in the market, supplying machinery to major industry players for 29 years.
"Our automated machines require minimal maintenance, and we regularly check in with customers to ensure smooth operations," he said.
The company's machinery has reduced power usage by at least 30%, addressing energy efficiency concerns.
Biodegradable product expansion
Expo Accessories Ltd Managing Director Md Enamul Haque, revealed that the company supplies biodegradable poly bags to 35 companies, including Levi's, amounting to an annual value of $6 million.
The company also exports biodegradable bin and garbage bags to the UK and has recently started producing biodegradable bread bags with life spans ranging from 180 days to 18 months, depending on use.
Haque shared plans for their LEED-certified Expo Industrial Hi-Tech Park, scheduled to start operations by year-end, featuring a solar power plant generating 1 MW of electricity.
"For the first time in Bangladesh, the company is producing RFID inlays using German technology, with an initial investment of $8 million. The full project is projected to require $200 million," he added.
Global collaboration
At the event, BGAPMEA President Md Shahriar said, "Everyone is now producing sustainable products and showcasing them to customers at this fair."
He added that a MoU with the Korean Packaging Federation aims to foster collaboration between Bangladeshi manufacturers and Korean companies for direct exports, technology transfers, joint ventures, and direct investments.
Given the geopolitical tensions between China and the USA, some companies are looking to Bangladesh for collaboration opportunities, Shahriar noted.
