Dyeing and research house to boost Sri Lankan capabilities
Japan’s Asahi Dyes and Chemicals and Sri Lankan manufacturer Asons have opened the Asahi Innovation Hub in Sri Lanka.
Italy’s Tonello has supplied some machinery and described it as “a place where Japanese chemical excellence, Italian technological innovation and Sri Lankan industrial expertise combine to turn ideas into solutions for the future of textile processing”.
Speaking at the opening of the facility in the Biyagama Export Processing Zone, Investment of Sri Lanka chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa said the facility would support the vertical integration of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry.
“A great deal is said about the need to diversify our export base into electronics, manufacturing, telecommunications and other sectors, and we do need to. But the garment industry remains the bird in the hand,” he said. “Our task now is to see how we grow this from here.”
Hulangamuwa said Sri Lanka’s garment industry had evolved into a sophisticated, technology-driven sector over the past three to four decades, achieving vertical integration in fabric and accessories.
The Biyagama facility will manufacture textile dyes, printing chemicals and finishing chemicals for the textile and apparel industry.
