Textile Today Business Hub exclusive interview
Driving sustainability in denim-washing at Vertex Group
Published At: August 31, 2025Reza E Rabbi started his career in the laundry industry in 2005 with Opex & Sinha Textile Group. After working for various apparel companies and C&A Sourcing International a renowned European retailer, he held important positions in Windy Group and Blue Creations Ltd. (Sterling Group). He is currently the Head of Operations at Vertex RMG Division, looking after the laundry division.
In a recent interview with Textile Today, he discussed about efficiency and sustainability in denim washing.
Textile Today: What sustainable practices in your factory are helping reduce water usage and improve efficiency, and which initiatives make your facility stand out?
Reza E. Rabbi: Our factory is working considering better sustainability on operations. We are particularly focusing on steam and water reduction. Reducing water usage has a big impact on underground water resource and ETP, so we are trying to save water through various processes and technologies implementation. For energy reduction, we are using air conveyor dryers for drying, which increases dryer efficiency by 30%-40%. We dry all First wash garments by conveyor dryer which help to dry around 35%-40% moisture in air. Mostly denim washing has two-step process: first the dry process, first wash and dryer, then the second step. We are trying to use conveyor dryers in the second step as well, which is playing a big role in steam reduction sustainability.
Textile Today: There are some issues with the professional efficiency in Bangladeshi textiles and apparel sector nowadays. What are your views about “Training and human capital transformation” in the industry and its potential in career?
Reza E. Rabbi: Our sector needs good professionals. Although many textile background students joined to lead the future, it is important to improve their skills in the laundry segment. 10 years ago, it was even difficult to introduce laundry vastly, but now it is important in the denim industry. Working in the laundry segment is a great opportunity for young engineers. If the mid and senior management provide regular training and feedback to the entry-level employees and supervisors, then their skills and career development are possible which will impact massively in regular work process.
Textile Today: What are the quality challenges to adopt sustainable solutions in washing sector? How do you see it?
Reza E. Rabbi: To go for sustainable processes, some sacrifices have to make and be acceptable from the brand as I understand. For example, we use alternatives to stone, but in that case, the stone effect does not come 100% like stone wash. Similarly, there is a slight difference in using alternatives in PP. If the customer accepts those differences, then it is quite possible to shift from conventional to sustainable processes.
Textile Today: What are the buyer requirements and compliance challenges in washing sector? How do you fulfill it?
Reza E. Rabbi: Our main compliance challenge at the moment is chemical compliance. This is the biggest challenge in washing. However, many challenges have already been mitigated and customers are also very supportive.
Textile Today: Which brands are you currently working with, and how are you supporting them in achieving sustainable washing goals?
Reza E. Rabbi: We are currently working on various projects with H&M, Inditex, Primark, Mango, etc. By working closely with customers, we are helping to meet compliance and sustainability goals through different development proposals. By collaborating at every step, all the challenges can be mitigated.
Vertex Group Interview
