Previously known as the Kabool Lanka textile plant it has been upgraded at a cost of US$25 million but is expected to bring in US$ 100 million worth of investments over the next 5 years. Already the park has attracted the Spanish warp knitter Dogi EFA and Text Print another Spanish company. Dogi EFA is a partnership between Dogi International fabrics (brand owner of Dogi, Penn and EFA) of Spain and MAS Holdings.
Other occupants of the site include local firm Bam Knitting and an eco-manufacturing factory by MAS Holdings (MAS Intimates Thurulie ) which produces clothing for UK retailer Marks & Spencer. This company is Asia’s first zero emission lingerie factory, and was developed at a cost of US$ 5 million – at full capacity it provides employment for 1,200 people.
Environmentally-friendly initiatives at the MAS Fabric park (MFP) include improvement of the waste effluent treatment through the addition of a new chemical treatment plant which has been added to an existing biological treatment facility for waste water. The facility will also share its treated water with local farmers and will generate bio-gas (methane extraction) that will be used for cooking. Other waste matter will be converted into compost and used as fertiliser.
Spanning across 165 acres at full capacity MFP will house 10 facilities and is designed to attract textiles, accessories and apparel manufacturers from around the world into Sri Lanka. At the moment only around 40% of the site is utilised and potential investors and other participating companies are being sought.
Designed by international experts, MFP conforms to the specifications of the United Nations Environmental Program, Global Compact and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
“Traditionally the garment industry is seen as sweat shops and fabric mills are seen as polluting. So we are reversing the tradition from Sri Lanka. The MAS Fabric Park is going to be the world’s first eco-friendly fabric and apparel manufacturing zone,” MAS Holdings Chairman Mahesh Amalean told Sri Lanka’s Sunday Times newspaper.