Hayleys’ Dipped Products expands high-value glove manufacturing with Rs. 2.3 b investment

Hayleys Co-Chairman Dhammika Perera (right) along with Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage (second from left) view operations at DPL’s newly commissioned automated glove manufacturing facility in Kottawa. DPL Managing Director Pushpika Janadheera is also present

• Boosts export competitiveness with expansion of production capacity to meet rising global demand for high-value protective gloves
• Introduces first-of-its-kind robotic technologies in Sri Lanka’s glove manufacturing sector

Dipped Products PLC (DPL), a subsidiary of Hayleys PLC, officially inaugurated a series of major capacity expansion projects at its Kottawa manufacturing facility recently, marking a significant step forward in supporting export growth alongside advancements in robotic automation, efficiency, and sustainability. 

The Rs. 2.3 billion investment is expected to enhance DPL’s capacity to meet rising global demand for specialised protective gloves, strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in high-value rubber exports and contributing to increased foreign exchange earnings. The expansion comprises two advanced Glove Dipping Plants, a modern Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and a high-efficiency Steam Boiler, collectively reinforcing export readiness while improving environmental performance.

At the core of the expansion is the fully automated Electrician’s Glove Dipping Plant, designed for the production of specialised gloves. The facility integrates industrial robots alongside a track-mounted robot enabling automated transfers, handling payloads of up to 300 kilograms, marking the first application of this level of robotic integration in Sri Lanka.

Complementing this is the Natural Rubber and Blended Glove Dipping Plant, a state-of-the-art facility. The plant introduces synchronised multi-robot dipping technology to Sri Lanka, operating within a fully integrated system to enhance precision, consistency, and throughput.

DPL Managing Director Pushpika Janadheera said: “This investment reflects a deliberate step in strengthening how we scale our export manufacturing operations while maintaining quality and environmental responsibility. The integration of advanced automation and supporting infrastructure enables us to improve efficiency across the facility, while ensuring we are better positioned to meet evolving customer and industry requirements.”

DPL has strengthened its environmental and utility infrastructure through the installation of a modern ETP. The new ETP is engineered to process up to 2,000 cubic metres of wastewater per day, supporting both current operations and future requirements. With a reduced physical footprint, the system incorporates advanced treatment technologies to improve process reliability while delivering enhanced treated water quality in line with environmental compliance and sustainability objectives.

Supporting increased production demand, the facility also features a high-efficient Steam Boiler for reliable and energy-efficient steam generation.

The expansion significantly enhances DPL’s ability to scale high value-added exports in line with growing global demand. By increasing manufacturing capacity and improving operational efficiency, the investment supports higher export volumes, improved value realisation, and stronger foreign exchange inflows, contributing to Sri Lanka’s broader export-led growth ambitions.

As global markets increasingly demand specialised, high-performance protective solutions, the shift towards value-added manufacturing enables Sri Lanka to move beyond commodity-based exports and capture greater value within international supply chains.