Crystal International Commits to ‘Impact for Better’
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Crystal International Group reduced 4.7 percent absolute carbon emissions and 23 percent freshwater per garment year over year.
The Hong Kong-based global apparel manufacturer’s 15th sustainability report highlighted these achievements toward “impact for better,” the Crystal Sustainability Vision 2030 (CSV2030) covering eight environmental, social and community impact areas.
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Andrew Lo, Crystal International CEO, said CSV2030 will guide the company’s future sustainability agenda. “CSV2030 focuses on eight impact areas addressing the emerging ESG issues in a broader scope. Referencing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and considering stakeholder concerns and industry traits, CSV2030 will provide a strategic direction for all our operating facilities in devising sustainability initiatives.”
The group’s denim factory in Cambodia expanded its wastewater treatment plan in late 2022, which “significantly improved” its water resource and wastewater management. With operations “in full swing” in 2023, roughly 60 percent of treated water could be recycled in the factory, with the freshwater intensity per piece of product washed dropping by approximately 30 percent.
In the same vein of improving the wastewater management of its factories, Crystal supports the development of treatment technologies within the industry. The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA)’s “Removal of Indigo Blue Color in Denim Plant Wastewater by Macroalgae” research project reached its final stage in 2023. Crystal provided its wastewater samples for performance testing and comprehension as a supporting organization. Crystal also agreed to support another research project, “Dye Removal from Denim Textile Wastewater by a Combinative Absorption and Regeneration System.”
“Climate change with frequent extreme weather events led to a record-breaking year. Average temperatures were higher than ever, which signals again the urgency of global efforts,” Lo said. “Under our Crystal Net 2050 Vision, we have put our unwavering focus on deploying a climate strategy through a multi-pronged approach and climate-related risk management.”
As such, Crystal International rolled out a net-zero roadmap that “tailored” potential carbon reduction by energy efficiency enhancement and defined implementation details within all factories. These factories have also committed to adopting around 180 short- and long-term energy efficiency measures by 2028. The H&M supplier also started compiling its Scope 3 value chain inventory by following carbon accounting principles.