Esquel’s sustainable mask story featured in study by Asia Business Council and HKUST on innovation

The six-month research project highlights cases – including Esquel Group, Temasek, Fubon Group and Lenovo – that have embraced innovation, driving social and economic impact across the region. Apart from supporting the employees, Esquel Group reimagined and reinvented traditional forms of philanthropy by taking social responsibility to a new level with their launch of a sustainable mask amidst a public health crisis.  

Esquel Group’s development of a reusable mask, later named DET30, during difficult times for the textile industry due to the pandemic was a showcase of its dedication to sustainability and the communities it operates in. By redirecting workers to focus on developing and producing masks instead of clothes while the demand was low, the company was able to adjust amid the crisis and turn things around. Though initially made for donations, the DET30 reusable masks soon became a business as well, demonstrating that social responsibility can go hand in hand with opportunity. The company’s commitment to sustainability has potentially saved 1.3 billion single-use masks from disposal.  

Esquel Group Chairman Marjorie Yang believes that credit must be given to Esquel’s eCulture for their sustainable mask story, as adhering to the core values of Environment, Ethics, Exploration, Excellence and Education made it possible. In line with this, Esquel Group Director of Global Operations Edgar Tung noted that Esquel’s reusable mask exemplifies how “innovation is the key cog to moving the three interlinking processes of discovery, experimentation and optimization.” 

Esquel would like to thank Asia Business Council and HKUST for including Esquel’s sustainable mask story in this study, as an example of how companies can be a driving force of positive change amid adversity within the communities and beyond. 

Read the full case study: 

https://asiabusinesscouncil.org/2021/01/15/esquel-group-hong-kong/