Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) have embarked on a collaborative journey to promote innovation and research. As part of this initiative, BUET's Research and Innovation Centre for Science and Engineering (RISE) has awarded a research project to address plastic packaging circularity in Bangladesh.
UBL and RISE jointly organised The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony as the first step towards this collaboration between RISE, BUET and UBL with the research project titled ‘Sustainable Plastic Packaging Circularity – Cost-Effective Appropriate Technology.' This research is part of UBL's commitment to take action to contribute towards the plastic waste management challenge in Bangladesh.
Founded at BUET, RISE is a research and innovation hub dedicated to advancing world-class research and nurturing groundbreaking innovations in engineering and science.
This significant research collaboration is designed to address pressing environmental challenges with future-fit technological solutions, while advancing sustainability in the context of Bangladesh. The initiative will focus on country-specific innovations to mitigate environmental impact, reduce carbon footprint, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainable sourcing of raw materials. A strong emphasis will be placed on developing recyclable, reusable, and compostable packaging solutions.
Beyond research, the partnership will also foster a more sustainable future for Bangladesh through capacity building, policy advocacy, education, and awareness initiatives.
The MoU signing ceremony was graced by Professor Dr. Abdul Jabbar Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of BUET, as the Guest of Honour. Professor Dr. Satya Prasad Majumder, Vice-Chancellor of BUET, presided over the event. Representing Unilever Bangladesh, CEO and Managing Director Zaved Akhtar signed the MoU alongside Professor Dr. Anisuzzaman Talukder, Director of RISE, BUET.
Speaking at the ceremony, Zaved Akhtar said: “At Unilever, sustainability is at the heart of our business. As a part of our global commitment to improving the health of our planet, we have been driving innovative approaches to tackle plastic waste management since 2020, which includes innovation in packaging, creating a sustainable model for plastic waste collection and management, and creating common platforms for multi-stakeholder dialogues and knowledge sharing. As we continue to explore avenues to create a sustainable plastic management ecosystem, there is no better time than now to start working with researchers and scientists who play a critical role in driving progress in these areas,” he added.
“I am humbled to have BUET, the country's most prestigious engineering university leading innovation and research, to join hands with us and collaborate to help us understand the industry's current challenges and guide us towards our collective goal of sustainable plastic waste management. Through our joint effort, we can have a lasting impact on our economy and create a Bangladesh that will be a model to the rest of the world. I want to thank Professor Dr Abdul Jabbar Khan, Pro-vice Chancellor, BUET, Professor Dr. Satya Prasad Majumder, Vice Chancellor, BUET, Director of RISE, BUET, Professor Dr. Anisuzzaman Talukder and his team for their support.”
Professor Dr. Satya Prasad Majumder said: "Both Unilever Bangladesh and BUET started their journey around the same time and have been instrumental in creating value for Bangladesh in their respective fields. Industry and academia can complement each other to drive innovations for a more sustainable future. I believe stronger cooperation between the industry leaders and the academic institutions can support in building a better Bangladesh."