Our approach to sustainability
Koton Kraft is working to reduce the environmental impact of textile manufacturing through efficient production, responsible material choices and practical ways of keeping fabric waste in use.
We do not claim that manufacturing is impact-free. Our focus is on improving the areas we directly control and communicating our progress honestly.
Producing more deliberately
Our flexible, small-batch manufacturing model allows artists, brands and organisations to test products, manage inventory and reorder according to demand.
This does not eliminate waste, but it can reduce the risk of unnecessary overproduction and unsold stock.
Printing, cutting, sewing, finishing, quality control and packing are completed through our Sydney-based operation. Many base fabrics are sourced internationally, and we clearly distinguish between local manufacturing and the origin of raw materials.
Printing and materials
We use digital pigment-printing technology, which can require fewer washing, wet-processing and finishing stages than some conventional textile-printing methods.
Our water-based pigment inks hold OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certification and meet ZDHC Level 3 requirements. These standards relate to the chemical formulation of the inks and do not certify the environmental impact of the entire finished product.
Our current range primarily uses cotton and linen. Although natural fibres are renewable and do not shed plastic microfibres like synthetic textiles, they still carry impacts through agriculture, processing and transportation.
We therefore consider durability, print suitability, material efficiency, supplier information and expected product lifespan when selecting fabrics.
Reducing fabric waste
Fabric offcuts are an unavoidable part of textile manufacturing. We work to reduce usable material sent to landfill through:
- More accurate cutting and product layouts
- Precision and laser-cutting technology
- Separation of eligible textile waste
- Products that utilise smaller fabric pieces
- Reuse and material-recovery partnerships
We are working with Fabtec to explore applications for suitable offcuts, including soil-enhancement products and building materials. Not every material can currently be recovered, and acceptance depends on its composition and condition.
Measuring our progress
We are developing systems to measure fabric waste, material diversion and factory energy use. This will help us identify where improvements can have the greatest impact and establish credible reduction targets.
We are also reviewing packaging, workflow efficiency and renewable-energy options.
As a member of Better Business Partnership, we receive guidance in reviewing our practices across waste, energy, materials and business operations. Membership supports accountability but is not presented as proof that our work is complete.
Our commitment
Our ambition is not to claim perfection. It is to make steady, measurable progress towards a more resource-efficient and circular approach to Australian textile manufacturing.