Consumption Coefficient of Raw Materials, Processing Chemicals, and Auxiliaries of Cotton, Polyester, and Poly-Cotton Based Knit Fabrics in Industries in Bangladesh: Determining the Degree of Sustainability

Bangladesh's textile sector, a major producer of knitwear, faces growing economic and environmental challenges due to its heavy reliance on chemicals and water. This study investigates chemical consumption during three key wet processing stages—pretreatment, dyeing, and finishing—across 15 knit factories processing cotton, polycotton, and polyester fabrics. The findings reveal significant variability in chemical usage among factories, with no consistent trends in quantity used. In some cases, the highest usage levels were several times greater than the lowest, highlighting inconsistency. These differences may be influenced by fabric type, variation in chemical types and grades, water quality, machinery condition, operational practices, buyer requirements, and the lack of standardized processes or sustainability strategies. Additionally, a persistent adherence to legacy practices and limited monitoring contribute to inefficiencies. The study underscores the pressing need for unified chemical management practices, process optimization, and transparent reporting to improve environmental outcomes. Policymakers and industry stakeholders can use these insights to promote more sustainable production practices within the textile sector. Establishing clear benchmarks for chemical use and encouraging continuous improvement efforts will be crucial in addressing the sector's environmental footprint. This research contributes to the limited body of data-driven analysis on chemical use in the knitwear industry of Bangladesh and provides actionable guidance for fostering sustainability in textile wet process.