Bangladesh's position on the global stage in building an eco-friendly and sustainable apparel industry has grown even stronger.
Four more ready-made garment (RMG) factories have recently achieved the internationally recognized Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
With this, the number of Leed-certified garment factories in the country has risen to 290.
Among these, 125 are Platinum, 145 are Gold, and the rest are Silver and Certified.
Most remarkably, 53 of the world's top 100 highest-scoring Leed-certified factories are now located in Bangladesh.
This is an unparalleled achievement compared to any other country in the world, reflecting Bangladesh's leadership in sustainable industrialization.
Mohiuddin Rubel, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice, shared this information on social media.
Among the four newly certified factories, two achieved Platinum, one Gold, and one Silver certification:
- Canvas Garments Private Limited, located in the North Nasirabad Industrial Area of Chattogram, achieved Platinum certification with 90 points under the Leed O+M: Existing Buildings v4.1 rating system.
- Matrix Sweaters Limited, located in Chowrasta, Gazipur, also secured Platinum certification with 88 points under the same rating system.
- Meanwhile, Karim Textiles Limited in Kaliakair, Gazipur, achieved Gold certification with 73 points.
- Karim Tex Limited in Dhamrai, Dhaka, secured Silver certification with 53 points.
Leed certification is one of the most globally accepted benchmarks for eco-friendly buildings and industrial factories.
A factory achieves this certification by meeting strict standards across key indicators, including energy savings, efficient water use, carbon emission reduction, waste management, the utilization of natural light and ventilation, a healthy work environment, and sustainable infrastructure.
Currently, major global fashion brands in Europe, the United States, and beyond are prioritizing eco-friendly factories.
Consequently, Leed certification is not just a prestigious accolade; it is one of the most powerful tools for staying ahead in the highly competitive international market.
Bangladesh is the world's second-largest apparel exporter. Over the past decade, local entrepreneurs have not only focused on scaling export volumes but have also invested heavily in building green production systems.
Investing in green factories is reducing electricity and water consumption, lowering long-term production costs, and decreasing carbon emissions.
At the same time, ensuring a healthy and safe work environment for workers has boosted the confidence of international buyers.
Experts point out that sustainable production is no longer a luxury or an added bonus in the global market; it has become a primary requirement for buyers. In this reality, Bangladesh's progress will play a critical role in retaining future export markets.
"The addition of four new Leed-certified factories is a matter of great pride for Bangladesh's apparel industry," said Mohiuddin Rubel, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice.
"With 290 Leed-certified factories—including 125 Platinum and 145 Gold—and 53 of the world's top 100 highest-scoring factories located here, it proves that Bangladesh is leading the world in sustainable and green manufacturing.
"International buyers no longer just want products at competitive prices; they expect the production process to be eco-friendly and responsible. Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have successfully adapted to this shift. Investing in green factories improves energy and water efficiency, cuts carbon emissions, and ensures a safer, healthier workplace for workers."
He further emphasized, "To sustain this achievement, it is not enough to focus only on large industries; we must also bring medium and small factories under the green transition. Simultaneously, we must prioritize increasing productivity, leveraging technology, developing skilled human resources, and diversifying products. Only then can Bangladesh's garment industry strengthen its competitive edge in the global market and establish itself as a long-term global role model for sustainable production."
Dominance in global list
Having 53 of the world's top 100 highest-scoring Leed-certified factories is a clear testament to the country's industrial capability.
Not just in sheer numbers, but multiple factories in Bangladesh consistently rank among the world's best for achieving the highest scores.
Globally, there is a growing emphasis on reducing carbon emissions, combating climate change, and promoting green manufacturing. The European Union's new environmental regulations, carbon-related restrictions, and the supply chain sustainability mandates of international brands present both new opportunities and increased competition for Bangladesh.
According to experts, simply increasing the number of Leed certifications will not be enough.
There must be further investment in boosting productivity, technological modernization, workers' skill development, product diversification, and research and innovation.
At the same time, small and medium garment factories must be integrated into this green transition.
