NZ textiles sector to reap benefits of energy efficiency

The energy efficiency of New Zealand’s textiles sector is set to improve under the EECA Business Textiles Sector Energy Efficiency Programme, announced today.

The program will be delivered by industry organisation Textiles New Zealand. It seeks to improve the competitiveness of the sector, which faces strong competition from low-cost producers offshore, through a range of energy efficiency initiatives that will reduce energy costs and enable increased productivity. 

The program will partly fund energy efficiency assessments and resulting energy efficiency opportunities for textiles firms including carpet, footwear and apparel manufacturers. It will fund at least 10 projects during 2012-13 from total EECA funding of up to $128,000. The program follows a successful EECA-funded textiles industry pilot program under which five firms averaged energy savings of 14% in 2010.

EECA Business Manager Rod Treder says there are significant opportunities for the textiles sector to become more energy efficient.

“The companies we worked with during the pilot found there was scope for efficiencies across the board - particularly in thermal energy and compressed air systems,” he says.

“Many of these initiatives provided a financial payback within a relatively short time after which savings were locked in, improving productivity and competitiveness long term.”

Textiles New Zealand CEO Claire Cilliers says improving energy efficiency can provide a competitive advantage for New Zealand firms.

“Regardless of whether they are focused on the domestic market or exporting, energy efficiency can reduce costs for New Zealand textile manufacturers,” she says.

“Increasingly, environmentally aware consumers at home and abroad are seeking out products that are sustainably produced.”

In addition to energy efficiency assessments, funding is available for energy efficiency projects involving process heat and boiler management, heat-recovery systems, water heating, tumble drying, washing and air conditioning; other technologies specific to individual textiles businesses are also eligible.

Firms interested in participating should contact Textiles New Zealand by calling 06 213 4232 or emailing info@textilesnz.org.nz.