GIZ and Huntsman Textile Effects Cooperate to Raise the Bar for the Textile Industry in Bangladesh Through Chemical Environmental Management

DHAKA, June 18, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, a German federal agency that promotes sustainable development around the world, and Huntsman Textile Effects, the leading global provider of high-quality dyes and textiles chemicals, are cooperating to raise industry standards in the management of chemicals by textile mills in Bangladesh. Ten mills have so far signed up to the partners’ GIZ Chemical Environmental Management for Competitiveness Program. 
The cooperation was formalized today with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Huntsman Textile Effects and Promotion of Social and Environmental Standards (PSES) a textile industry initiative jointly developed by the governments of Bangladesh and Germany, and implemented by GIZ. 

The GIZ Chemical Environmental Management for Competitiveness Program will include managerial and technical training, audit and consultancy services and implementation support from local and international Environmental Management System experts from GIZ and Huntsman Textile Effects. Working closely with the local textiles sector, the two partners will support the development of industry-wide chemical management (CM) best practices in Bangladesh and accelerate the adoption of these practices, with the ultimate aim of supporting the industry’s environmental and economic sustainability. 

Bangladesh’s textile industry is the nation’s largest export sector. The ready-made garment (RMG) sector was worth US$19 billion in 2012, when more than 5,000 garment factories employed about 4 million people and accounted for 45% of all industrial workers. To remain internationally competitive, local textile mills and RMG factories increasingly have to demonstrate that they operate in a socially and environmentally sustainable way. 

Mr. Magnus Schmid, PSES Program Coordinator, said “Textile factories in Bangladesh are now taking environmental issues more seriously as regulatory requirements become stricter and the economic benefits of sustainability become more widely recognized. PSES has already made a great impact with our CM training program and other initiatives and we look forward to doing even more through our new partnership with Huntsman Textile Effects. With Huntsman, we are committed to helping the industry eliminate hazardous substances from the production process in order to achieve a cleaner and safer textiles sector.” 

GIZ has actively supported the development of the textile sector in cooperation with the Bangladesh government for several decades. Through PSES, it has already trained more than 60 consultants from 20 service organizations in the use of its CM tool. This CM tool covers the proper handling and storage of chemicals and seeks to improve workplace safety and compliance with environmental laws and achieve cost savings. Huntsman Textile Effects will support this ongoing work, contributing expertise in the optimization of washing and dyeing processes. It will also provide audit and consultancy services to local mills under its Productivity Improvement Program (PIP). 

Mr. Peter Gregory, Brand & Retail Marketing Director of Huntsman Textile Effects, said, “Huntsman Textile Effects has a long established presence in Bangladesh. As a global leader in the transition to a more sustainable textiles sector, we are pleased to join hands with GIZ in Bangladesh to help local factories optimize their production efficiency and environmental compliance whilst also building local competence to enable continued adoption. Our international staff will also receive training from GIZ on its CM toolkit so that we can extend our efforts to factories in other countries as well.” 

The cooperation with GIZ is part of Huntsman Textile Effects’ commitment to the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals programme. This global initiative of 18 leading apparel and footwear brands and retailers intends to eliminate hazardous chemicals from textiles production by 2020. 

Note on statistics: 
5,000 factories & 4 million workers from Deutsche Welle 
Other stats from “Textile Industries in Bangladesh and Challenges of Growth” Research Journal of Engineering Sciences paper (Feb. 2013)

Media Contacts:
Christina Koh +65 6390 6482 christina_koh@huntsman.com 
Mindy Chee: +65 6390 6492 mindy_chee@huntsman.com 

About GIZ 
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise of the government of Germany. It draws on a wealth of regional and technical expertise and tried-and-tested management know-how to promote international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ operates in more than 130 countries and has more than 16,000 staff across the globe.Bangladesh is a priority partner country for German development cooperation. GIZ has a history in the country that dates to 1972. Today, it employs some 175 national staff, 26 international experts, three human resources placement specialists and a development advisor. GIZ has actively supported the development of the textile sector in Bangladesh for many decades. It is currently working with the Bangladesh Ministry of Commerce on a five-year program to promote social and environmental standards in the industry. 

About Huntsman Textile Effects
Huntsman Textile Effects is the leading global provider of high quality dyes and chemicals to the textile and related industries. Sustainability, innovation and collaboration are at the heart of what we do. We use cutting edge technology to develop solutions and create innovative products with intelligent effects such as built-in freshness, sun protection or state-of-the-art dyes which reduce water and energy consumption. All these go toward meeting the needs of our customers in supporting a more sustainable environment. Selling into more than 90 countries and with presence including seven primary manufacturing facilities in six countries (China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand) and 14 Formulation Distribution Centers spread across 12 countries, Huntsman Textile Effects is uniquely positioned to provide fast and expert technical service wherever our customers are based. 

About Huntsman 
Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals with 2013 revenues of over $11 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets.  We operate more than 80 manufacturing and R&D facilities in 30 countries and employ approximately 12,000 associates within our 5 distinct business divisions.  For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com.

Forward-Looking Statements 
Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in the Huntsman companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws.