Research Project Launch for Sustainable Tannery in Bangladesh in 2022

The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) has initiated a two-year action-based research project aimed at enhancing the efficiency of Bangladeshi tanneries through improved occupational health and safety practices. Prof. Dewan Ahsan, Associate Professor at SDU, highlighted the main objective of achieving a Sustainable Tannery in Bangladesh. The project aims to address critical issues such as occupational health and safety and waste management in Bangladeshi tanneries, ultimately facilitating better access to foreign markets.

Buyers from European and American markets are increasingly imposing new compliance conditions on Bangladeshi tanneries. Dr. Ahsan emphasized the necessity of understanding these demands and meeting them, making the research project essential. The research team held a discussion meeting with stakeholders in the tannery industry, seeking cooperation from owners and sharing project objectives. The project, organized by the Susleather project and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under DANIDA, will incorporate institutional logic theory to enhance Lean implementation for improved occupational health and safety management.

In the first phase of the project, the research team will conduct a baseline study of tannery industries, collecting data on occupational health safety, lean management, and institutional logic. Subsequently, a model will be developed and shared with stakeholders, including the government, for implementation in the tannery sector. The goal is to pave the way for achieving the Leather Working Group (LWG) certification, enabling Bangladeshi tanneries to access foreign markets. The University of Southern Denmark will lead the project in collaboration with Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST).