Bangladesh turns cotton waste into eco-friendly materials with BDT 15M grant
A research team from BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT), led by Prof. Dr. Abdul Jalil, has secured a competitive research grant worth BDT 15 million under the Bangladesh Innovation and Research for Development Initiative (BIRDI), part of the Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP). The program is implemented by the Ministry of Finance of Bangladesh with financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The BUFT team submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) following the BIRDI circular issued in August last year. In response, 132 proposals were submitted nationwide, of which only 12 projects were selected after a rigorous technical and scientific evaluation. BUFT's selection highlights the university's growing research capability and innovation strength.
The selected project, titled 'Sustainable Valorization of Cotton Waste into High-Value Cellulose-Based Products for Green Industrial Applications,' aims to convert large volumes of cotton waste generated in Bangladesh's ready-made garment and textile industry into high-value, eco-friendly materials. Cotton waste such as fabric cutting scraps, spinning waste, and cotton cones rich in cellulose but often underutilized will be scientifically processed into valuable industrial materials. The 12-month project will be implemented through BUFT's research facilities with Shasha Denim PLC as the industry partner, which will supply cotton waste from its production processes and support industrial-level testing of the research outcomes.
The research will focus on extracting and refining cellulose from cotton waste to develop cellulose-based materials with potential applications in biodegradable packaging, industrial coatings, composite materials, functional films, and advanced textile finishing technologies. The project phases include waste collection and characterization, cellulose extraction and purification, synthesis of cellulose derivatives, prototype development, industrial testing, and environmental and economic feasibility assessment.
At the end of the project, the team will prepare a Technology Transfer Package (TTP) to facilitate industry adoption of the technology. Experts believe the research could help introduce circular economy practices in Bangladesh's textile sector by reducing industrial waste, creating alternatives to imported raw materials, and promoting environmentally sustainable production. Prof. Dr. Abdul Jalil said that transforming textile waste into valuable materials through scientific innovation can significantly contribute to environmental protection and industrial advancement. University officials added that winning the internationally competitive grant demonstrates BUFT's strong research capacity and may open new opportunities for textile research and international collaboration.
