Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) held the first meeting of its newly formed committee tasked with reviewing wastage percentages in knitwear production. The meeting took place on 19th November 2025 at the BTMA Gulshan office.
The session was chaired by the committee’s convener, Mr. Md. Nurul Islam, Chairman of Noman Group and a member of BTMA’s Advisory Board. Mr. Shafiqul Islam Sarkar, Co-convener of the committee, BTMA Director, and Managing Director of Purbani Group, was also in attendance.
Other committee members present included Mr. Md. Khorshed Alam, Mr. Hossain Mehmud, and Mr. A. Rahim Chowdhury, all Directors of BTMA. Special invited guests were Mr. Helal Mia, Chairman of Amanat Shah Group; Mr. B.M. Shoaib, Director of BTMA; and Mr. Ruhul Amin, former Director of BTMA.
BTMA Secretary General Brig. Gen. Md. Zakir Hossain (Retd.) and senior officials of the association were also present.
Focus of the Meeting
During the meeting, the convener, co-convener, and committee members held extensive discussions on several key issues related to wastage measurement, reporting practices, and compliance across knitwear factories. The committee reviewed current industry-wide wastage ratios—typically ranging between 8% and 18% depending on yarn quality, machinery efficiency, and production processes—and emphasized the need for updated benchmarks.
Key Decisions Taken
• Initiating a detailed study on wastage levels across spinning, knitting, dyeing, and finishing units.
• Developing a standardized calculation method to curb inconsistencies in wastage reporting.
• Recommending steps to reduce avoidable wastage through efficient process control and modern machinery.
• Preparing a policy framework to support transparent reporting for mills seeking export incentives.
Industry Context
Wastage levels in the knit textile sector have long been a concern due to rising raw cotton prices, increased production costs, and global pressure for efficient, sustainable manufacturing. The BTMA committee aims to establish a transparent, data-driven system that will help mills reduce losses, improve competitiveness, and align with global sustainability standards.
The committee is expected to produce a comprehensive report and recommendations to be presented at BTMA’s next policy meeting.
