With 1.2 million spindles, Vardhman Textile, Ltd. is one of India’s production powerhouses, offering spinning and fabric operations for renowned high-end Indian brands and international household names. But, with their large scale also came a significant environmental footprint.
Auro Textiles, a unit of Vardhman, has been actively working to reduce their emissions for years; however, in 2021, the growing number of brands setting ambitious Scope 3 decarbonization targets presented an opportunity to accelerate progress in three key areas: energy use, natural resource consumption, and chemical impact.
No change comes without its challenges, and for Auro, that was modernizing their operations - many of which relied on older equipment - while balancing environmental impact and financial sustainability.
A referral from a brand partner led Auro to Aii and our Clean by Design program.
Once connected to the Aii team and our local experts, Auro began establishing baselines for their facilities. Through thorough assessments of the plants’ energy and environmental performance, the Auro team identified critical areas for improvement. Aii and the experts then provided a comprehensive, data-driven roadmap, including both high- and low-investment options, empowering Auro to prioritize projects based on their budget and goals. The process was streamlined, systematic, and straightforward.
Results came quickly: Following the experts’ recommendations, Auro began insulating boilers. The team noted that beyond emissions reductions, the change boosted their bottom line by saving steam and water, and enhanced employee safety by reducing injuries and overheating.
Their work is resonating with their customers as well. As Auro continues updating its metrics on the Higg Index, they’ve earned praise from partner brands, further motivating the Auro team to aim for even greater levels of efficiency.
But one of the biggest successes has been how this work has energized employees. By working with Aii and local experts, team members have gained valuable skills in process optimization and developed a stronger sense of ownership over the company’s decarbonization efforts. Connecting their day-to-day tasks to the company’s environmental goals has made their work more meaningful, leaving them motivated and proud to drive positive change.
Working side-by-side with Aii and our network of experts has inspired Auro to set a concrete, ambitious decarbonization target through SBTi. Once that target is finalized, they’ll continue to work intensively in all fronts: from electricity to coal, water, steam consumption, and eco-friendly chemistry.
Auro’s successes show the impact that systemic, data-driven approaches can have in meeting - and exceeding - environmental goals. If you’re ready to accelerate your decarbonization journey, please contact us at info@apparelimpact.org to explore how we can work together to fashion a better future.
Case Study