In recent years, sustainability in textile manufacturing has gained traction, and the textile industry is looking for greener alternatives. Chennai-based probiotic chemicals company Proklean Technologies Private Limited came up with unique probiotic technology that makes its products 100% bio-degradable, natural and non-toxic.

Proklean Technologies is now entering the Bangladesh textile market with its non-toxic and biodegradable dyeing auxiliary, and finishing products.

Founded in 2012, Proklean Technologies has a wide range of textile chemical ranges like pre-treatment, dyeing auxiliary and soaping, and finishing stages, and comprises biodegradable products that reduce the carbon footprint of the textile sector.

Proklean Technologies 3 Founders, Sivarama, a Ph.D. in biochemistry, and B Chandrasekhar, an alumnus of IIM, Ahmedabad and Vishwadeep Kuila.

Recently, Karthikeyan K S, CEO and Dr. Vishwadeep Kuila, Sales & Marketing, Strategic Relationships in an exclusive interview shared Proklean’s non-toxic and biodegradable products at an affordable price.

Textile Today: Kindly share Proklean’s journey.

Vishwadeep Kuila: The beginning of our journey is vital – as the whole genesis of Proklean Technologies unraveled around our creation. Karthikeyan K S and Dr. Vishwadeep Kuila and I – 3 like-minded people started Proklean Technologies with the aim of doing something good for the environment.

Dr. Vishwadeep used to research beneficial microbes and their applications and met Co-founders Chandrasekar and Vishwadeep through their shared interest in beneficial microbes.

In the process, we realized that specialty biochemical and probiotic microorganisms can revolutionize industries like textile, leather and packaging. In addition, our green chemicals not only reduce the cost of operations but are also safer for users – than their traditional counterparts.

From this ground-breaking realization, we wanted to create a bigger impact – and this is how Proklean came into being.

Most importantly, at present, fashion brands are putting sustainability as the vital benchmark. Here, Proklean Technologies role is paramount – as our probiotic-based solutions are not confined to textile or leather – rather we can indefinitely extend them to any other solutions. That is where the value of this company comes into play. As we have founded a technology platform – that is most crucial.

Textile Today: Kindly share Proklean’s different market presence and focus.

Karthikeyan K S: Since 2012, we have a deep-rooted presence in India’s textile, leather and paper industries. Now, we are planning to take Proklean to the global market – as growth will come when we become a global players. We are broadening our global presence focusing on targeted industries with growth potential markets.

Textile is one of our key industries, we are emphasizing markets that value sustainable products. So, South Asian textile manufacturing countries are our primary target.

Textile Today: Kindly share your plan regarding the Bangladesh textile market.

Karthikeyan K S: I will say that Proklean’s biodegradable and non-toxic products will provide the necessary edge to our Bangladeshi customers.

Bangladesh is the second-biggest textile manufacturing market. Proklean really wants to accelerate its presence in the country. Not to mention, Bangladesh's textile industry is the leader in sustainability and natural fiber i.e., cotton.

Having said that, we also want to have the right partner in Bangladesh – who can rightly represent Proklean i.e., sustainably likeminded to the customers the way we want. That is why we partnered with Sameet Dye-Chem Ltd. – the company is well known for providing sustainable textile chemical solutions. Iqbal Rizvi, Managing Director, Sameet Dye-Chem Ltd. is a like-minded person and our partnership will accelerate our sustainable journey in this market.

Textile Today: Kindly share what type of sustainable products you will bring to the Bangladesh textile market. Also, highlight the certification aspect of Proklean.

Karthikeyan K S: We have a broad range of sustainable textile chemical product lines – from pre-treatment, dyeing auxiliary and soaping to finishing stages.

On the processing side, we are also very strong in both exhaust and continuous processes.

Most importantly, natural fiber is the strength of Proklean’s solutions. Here our products are best suitable for the knit garment sector. I am really hopeful that we can replicate our success in the knit garment category.

In terms of certification, we have all the necessary global standard certifications – like ZDHC level 3, GOTS, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, etc. – required for the textile industry. And we keep updating our certificates to stay ahead.

Textile Today: Affordable price of products plays a fundamental role. Kindly share how Bangladeshi customers can benefit from Proklean’s affordable products.

Vishwadeep Kuila: While our product meets other parameters like sustainability, safe and high performance – at the same time it also save cost for our customers. Proklean has ensured that its products are as affordable as their traditional counterparts.

I would not claim that our products are cheap but our solutions deliver better additional value – like our solutions do not replace soaping agents – which helps customers by lowering the cost as they can able to operate at 15 to 20 degrees lower temperatures. So, this gives our customers energy saving. In addition, our solutions reduce 2-3 baths which helps in water saving and improving cycle time – improving efficiency. And our product reduces Effluent load in COD, BOD and TDS parameters.

Overall, these are some direct and indirect ways through which customers end up with better savings.

Textile Today: And your growth expectations in this market.

Vishwadeep Kuila: Bangladesh's textile industry enjoys some quintessential advantages like the availability of natural resources, demographic dividend, ecosystem and expert manpower, etc. All these combined made the country’s textile industry one of the most able apparel makers in the world. And recent uncertainties in other markets are making Bangladesh stronger.

Hence, we want to increase our presence to meet the market's sustainable product demands at the best possible level.

Textile Today: The recent global uncertainties created a significant impact on the overall fashion supply chain. How Proklean is dealing with these challenges?

Vishwadeep Kuila: Despite all the global challenges, Proklean is still maintaining good growth. You see, fashion buying contraction and other challenges are temporary. Most crucially, textile is a basic human need. So, there will always be demand for apparel.

South and Southeast Asia is witnessing much faster growth than the Western world. So, we believe that we have a much bigger opportunity for growth – when it comes to market point of view.

In addition, Proklean offers biodegradable solutions – which is the driving market factor. Today, textiles and every other industry are looking for sustainable solutions.

Here lies, Proklean’s strength – as our products have 80% lower carbon footprint than conventional ‘non-green’ products. At the same time limits effluent and provides better performance.

We have robust R&D capabilities to drive continuous innovation and continuous development – combined with Sameet Dye-Chem’s support – for the Bangladesh textile market.

Textile Today: Iqbal Rizvi, you are very renowned in the Bangladesh textile community as a sustainable product provider. Kindly brief us regarding Sameet Dye-Chem’s partnership with Proklean.

Iqbal Rizvi: Sameet Dye-Chem is always passionate about sustainability and providing sustainable chemical solutions to the textile industry. And I am really optimistic about our collaboration with Proklean.

As my company is already working to provide natural dyes for the industry – so, we are thrilled with our new partnership. Proklean manufactures fully natural products of probiotic origin, which makes the products 100% bio-degradable, natural and non-toxic. This can replace or reduce the use of currently used chemicals – not only in textiles – but in many industries as well.