Bangladesh sustainable home textiles 

Bangladesh exports over $1 billion worth of home textiles every year. Europe is a large importer of home textiles from Bangladesh. Dutch and European buyers are looking for sustainable, high-quality products and Bangladesh has potential to meet this demand.

Demand for sustainable products is growing even more due to changing regulations in the European Union (EU). EU rules are getting stricter, with regulations like the regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH) and the European Green Deal setting higher standards for chemicals and waste. Many textile producers in Bangladesh still use chemical dyes without proper waste-water treatment.

CBI partners with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their networks to strengthen their social and environmental sustainability. In this project we will work with SMEs and the wider sector to take advantage of these opportunities. Together, we are moving towards sustainable production and EU compliance.

We are looking for partners to join the Sustainable Home Textiles Bangladesh programme (2025-2030). We invite you to join us to help design local solutions that make a difference for your sector. 

Become a partner

Are you interested in the Bangladeshi home textiles sector? We seek partners who want to work together to build a more inclusive and sustainable sector, with fair jobs, safe working conditions, and better access to European markets.

We aim to connect with:  

• Home textiles SMEs and producer groups in Bangladesh;
• Dutch and European importers, brands and retailers;
• Universities and knowledge institutes;
• Service providers in dyeing, certification, export or finance;
• Sector associations and NGOs;
• Government bodies in Bangladesh.

CBI seeks Bangladesh-based local service partners. If you are based outside of Bangladesh but want to work on local solutions, have relevant experience, want to learn and have funds available, we would still want to look for ways to collaborate.  

Reach out now

We prefer partners (and teams) that can:

• Communicate well in English;
• Can participate in CBI visits, workshops and training sessions;  
• Want to invest in the necessary changes to become successful in the European market and increase sustainability;
• Can keep CBI informed about the company's progress on exports and sustainability (CBI will treat the provided information as confidential);
• Are open to improve responsible business conduct (RBC) practices in their organisation.  

Project purpose

Bangladesh is one of the world's leading exporters of home textile products. The sector is growing and full of potential. Bangladesh’s status of Least Developed Country will also soon end. This shows that Bangladesh’s economy is growing stronger, which does mean that duty-free access to the EU will likely end for Bangladesh exporters by 2029. For Dutch and European businesses sourcing from Bangladesh, it is important to get supply chains ready for EU compliance now.  

European and Dutch buyers are more and more interested in naturally dyed, sustainable and traceable home textiles. This demand is growing, both in export markets and in the mid-to-high domestic segment. Bangladesh is in a good position to meet this demand.

A big challenge is that there are often no regulations for textile dyeing in the craft sector. Many producers use synthetic chemical dyes without proper waste treatment. This pollutes rivers and groundwater, and has a negative effect on agriculture, fisheries and public health.

CBI wants to support the development of solutions for these challenges. Our aim is for SMEs and their network to meet EU environmental requirements and to use more sustainable dyeing methods. This will help Bangladeshi producers access more markets, especially in Europe.

What does a partnership look like?  

CBI does not provide funding. CBI develops and supports locally owned solutions that can continue to grow after the project ends. We work with companies, sector organisations, service providers, public institutions, and market actors to look for practical solutions that strengthen the sector and improve access to European markets.

What we offer is support in developing, testing, and growing solutions that contribute to the project's goals. We also connect partners with organisations, networks, and market actors that can help turn good ideas into lasting results.  

CBI does not provide grants, but focuses on facilitating collaboration, knowledge exchange, and practical support.

What support looks like for this project:

• Strengthen business strategies and organisational development;
• Carry out research and testing new approaches and training models;
• Support product development and market readiness;
• Strengthen links with markets, networks, and sector stakeholders;
• Support taking up sustainable dyeing methods and environmental management solutions;
• Create connections between manufacturers, buyers, service providers, and other relevant organisations.

For European brands, buyers, and importers, the project offers opportunities to work with companies that are actively investing in sustainability, meeting environmental requirements, and improved production practices.

Joining the programme is free of charge. Partners should cover their own costs related to participation in project activities, which may include travel.

Partners

We are now exploring opportunities for this programme. We are talking with stakeholders and actively looking for partners who can work on solutions together and who want to look for opportunities.  

Collaborate with us

Would you like to help make Bangladesh's home textiles sector stronger and more sustainable? We would appreciate to hear from you.

Let us know you are interested via the button below. For questions, contact Henrique Postma-Hazelaar.

Reach out now

About CBI

CBI is the centre for the promotion of sustainable production and trade between low- and middle- income countries and the Netherlands and Europe. We partner with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their ecosystems to strengthen their social and environmental sustainability.

CBI is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and is commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In Bangladesh, CBI has good experience in the home textiles and home decoration sector, having collaborated with more than 30 SMEs over the past 15 years.

The Sustainable Home Textiles Bangladesh programme runs from 2025 to 2030 and is funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.