The demand for the newly invented biodegradable and environment-friendly ‘Sonali bag’, a suitable alternative to harmful polythene bags, is increasing day by day both locally and internationally. Considering the threats of the polythene bags, about 61 countries around the world, including Bangladesh, China, France, India and Denmark, have so far banned its use, say officials of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC). According to a news report published in a national daily on Saturday, when there is an opportunity to gain a stake in the $3.5 trillion global shopping bag market with many countries switching to eco-friendly packaging, Bangladesh is struggling to even meet one-third of its local demand for this biodegradable bag, let alone cashing in on the export potential.
Eminent scientist and scientific advisor at the BJMC told the media that the corporation is yet to go into large-scale production of Sonali bags even though there is a very good demand for it owing to a lack of bigger investment coupled with non-availability of upgraded machinery. Even no company in the world manufactures machinery required to go into a large-scale production of these eco-friendly bags. Several companies in China, Germany and the US are capable of manufacturing such machines upon demand. With only two locally developed machines, the state-owned Latif Bawani Jute Mills in Demra now manufactures 15,000 pieces of Sonali bags per day. However, the demand is nearly three-time more in the local market. A Chinese company is working on a machine that may arrive in the country in the next two-three months, it is learnt. British American Tobacco, SaRa Lifestyle, Rahimafrooz, and other companies currently buy Sonali bags from BJMC.
It may be noted here that the UK-based Greenpeace, Melbourne City Council, Mimama International Co Ltd of Japan, Paris-bases Euro Multitrading, Access Printing Solutionms of Virgenia, the USA, and Canada-based Synergy Globe Inc have already shown interest to buy Sonali bags from Bangladesh. Mentionable that work to invent the biodegradable polymer from jute fiber was started in 2010. After trying for several years, success finally came in 2015. Then the product was a ‘Sonali bag’. This jute bag has an enormous potential, but we have not yet been able to capitalise on it. If we take it forward, we can make best use our state-owned jute mills. We can also take over the market of polythene and polypropylene bags around the world.
