Sustainable Approaches by Raymond Group ( Case Study)

Sustainable Approaches by Raymond Group

Sayak Nandi

Department of Textile Technology

Government College of Engineering and Textile Technology, Serampore,WB, India

Background:

Raymond Group is an Indian branded fabric and fashion retailer. It was incorporated as a small woolen mill, under the name Raymond woolen mill in 1925, Thane, Mumbai. The group initially produced low price blankets in the pre independence era, 95 years from then the Raymond group is one of the major textile and apparel producing company. Its products include fabrics, garments, designer wears, denims, cosmetics, etc. With a network of over 700 retail shops across India and overseas, it is one of the most trusted brands in India (Ranked 23^rd among most trusted brands in India in 2014)

Introduction

Textile Industry is the second most polluting industry after chemical industry. Hence, the concept of sustainability is a necessity for this industry. The 1974 Water act, 1981 Air act, 1986 Environmental Protection Act and 2010 The National Green Tribunal Act called for a sustainable approach for any industry and Raymond group is no exception. In 2019 Project SU.RE (Sustainable Resolution) was launched in India which is a firm commitment for the fashion industry to contribute to the clean environment. Raymond group however had already undertaken the sustainable business model by then. The Raymond group’s business model is not only confined to comply on the prevailing laws and regulations, but also to create a benchmark among the industries by its measures to reduce carbon footprints.

Environmental Sustainability:

Raymond group has collaborated with Reliance Industries limited in making of the ecofriendly Ecovera- a range of fabrics manufactured by using R|Elan, greengold, the greenest fibre in the world (Greengold is made by recycling post consumed waste PET bottles, using bio-fuels and energy efficient processes).
Raymond UCO (denim private Limited) is a plant with zero liquid discharge plant, with 100% biological ETP (effluent treatment plant) and 3 stage RO to recover and reuse the waste water and storm/treated water.
Certain measures undertaken for environmental preservation include the commencement of online monitoring of coal boiler stack emission parameters, initiation of water reuse and strong focus on resource conservation and optimization.

Corporate Responsibility (Social Sustainability):

Set up of 3 schools in Vapi (Gujarat, India), Thane (Maharashtra, India) and Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh, India), originally set up for mill workers children, today it provides education to students from all sections of society.
Raymond Tailoring Initiative jointly undertaken with Government of India, trains unemployed youth, women and members of minority community in the art of tailoring
Raymond Rehabilitation Centers provides short time vocational courses to young men and women
Eradication of Hunger and malnutrition by providing midday meals to school going children (Nagpur, India).
Protection of Natural Heritage by restoration of old iconic buildings and sites of historical importance (Mumbai, India).

Conclusion:

Raymond group is a corporate group with a much focused campaign of “A Complete Man”. It is also one of the leading companies with revenue of 800 million. For a company of this big business model and a focused campaign it is not possible to change the whole business model into a circular one overnight. However their steady pace towards sustainable model, innovation and immense contribution towards society is commendable and this makes Raymond one of the biggest brands in India.

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