The operationalization of Epic Group’s $100 million Trimetro Manufacturing Campus in Odisha represents a fundamental shift in the commercial viability of sustainable apparel production.
Secured through a sustainability-linked financial structure from the IFC, this investment addresses the escalating ‘green premium’ required by global Tier-1 retailers. As the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) begins to influence sourcing economics, the facility’s net-zero carbon and water status provides a critical safeguard for Indian exports. By utilizing biomass and advanced battery storage, the campus mitigates the volatility of conventional energy costs, ensuring that high-volume production remains cost-competitive while satisfying rigorous international ESG mandates.
Strategic realignment of the global sourcing mix
Odisha is rapidly emerging as a primary node in the ‘China+1’ diversification strategy, supported by a state investment pipeline that exceeded Rs 7,800 crore at the recent Odisha TEX 2025 summit. The Trimetro site, with its 20-million-garment annual capacity, leverages Eastern India’s logistical connectivity and competitive labor arbitrage to de-risk supply chains. This 40-acre industrial footprint is engineered for high-spec efficiency, integrating robotics and digitized quality control. This technical sophistication allows the group to maintain superior margins even as India’s ready-made garment exports navigate a complex 3 per cent recovery phase, positioning the region as a formidable alternative to traditional manufacturing clusters.
Social capital and regional industrialization
Beyond environmental metrics, the project serves as a case study in large-scale social engineering within the apparel sector. The commitment to a workforce that is 80 per cent female not only aligns with global diversity targets but also stabilizes the local industrial ecosystem through 10,000 direct employment opportunities. As the group targets a fully net-zero global operational profile by 2030, the Odisha hub functions as a blueprint for the future of vertically integrated manufacturing. By combining port proximity with industry-leading water positive protocols, Epic Group is effectively future-proofing its capacity against both regulatory shifts and the increasing scarcity of natural resources.
A global apparel leader producing 400 million garments annually for major retail conglomerates like Walmart and Gap. With 17 global sites, the firm is aggressively expanding its Indian presence via Odisha and Gujarat to secure the premium, sustainable export segment. Founded as a textile trader, the company now targets carbon neutrality by 2030, supported by record-high investment and robust 2026 revenue projections.
