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Sustain The Future

Proud to contribute to a sustainable future by doing more with less 

We are aware of our current impact on the planet and we believe we should create a better tomorrow for future generations. We aim to make sustainability a part of SunGroup’s DNA.

We care for the environment and we strongly believe in building a sustainable economy to provide a better future for all of us. We think the best way to ensure the prosperity of future generations is by protecting our precious resources – employees, environment, and community. Seeing the big picture for the textile industry we keep on working and solving problems of today and tomorrow for the sake of next generations. We take seriously our responsibility to identify new methods to produce fabric in more sustainable ways. We offer unique solutions that are both sustainable for the environment and community.

We are aware of our current impact on the planet and we believe we should create a better tomorrow for future generations. We aim to make sustainability a part of SunGroup’s DNA.

We care for the environment and we strongly believe in building a sustainable economy to provide a better future for all of us. We think the best way to ensure the prosperity of future generations is by protecting our precious resources – employees, environment, and community. Seeing the big picture for the textile industry we keep on working and solving problems of today and tomorrow for the sake of next generations. We take seriously our responsibility to identify new methods to produce fabric in more sustainable ways. We offer unique solutions that are both sustainable for the environment and community.

Speaking the language of sustainability

Today with millions of people living in poverty and the planet’s resources are scarce more than ever, our values help us drive positive change and to act in a rewarding way as a trusted partner for the fashion industry. As one of the greatest clothing producers in Turkey and a solution partner for global brands we truly believe we can make a real difference. For us, style, design and production have to speak the language of sustainability, helping to transform the fashion industry for better. 

For this reason, we determine our company goals and values by doing business economically, socially and environmentally sustainable as possible. For all processes we use ethical product sourcing. We invest in human resources to ensure future sustainability and we work towards ensuring all aspects of our business to be safer for the environment. 

Over time innovative technologies and conservation practices will continue to evolve and redefine environmental sustainability and impacts while maintaining production capacity. To support sustainable development goals we implement sustainable solutions for all our processes.

Global Goals for Sustainable Development

We have identified four SDGs, which we believe we have the greatest leverage and power to contribute.

All these decisions are taken by the sustainability committee. Board members, general managers of the group companies, human resources manager, corporate communication expert, sustainability executive, senior environmental engineer are the members of the sustainability committee. 

Climate related issues and strategies, including risk assessments, strategies about sustainability are discussed during the sustainability committee meetings which are performed every two months. This committee prioritized 4 SDGs after analyzing activities, value chain and shareholder expectations.

Product Sustainability

Raw material management

While choosing the Viscose fiber used in fabrics produced by Ekoten; we adopt a sustainable approach for development of viscose and we take the Canopy Hot Button Ranking as the basis. We prefer Viscose manufacturers that have successfully completed the Canopy Style inspections and have the label of “Green T-shirt” from the manufacturers with Canopy Style Policies. 

Product Sustainability

Sustainable solutions

We take seriously our responsibility to identify new methods to produce fabric in more sustainable ways. We offer unique solutions that are both sustainable for the environment and community. 

If you would like sustainable yarns to be used we supply the types and brands below:

CELLULOSIC - Natural Fiber

  • Organic
  • Recycle
  • BCI

SYNTHETIC

  • Repreve
  • Renu
  • Seaqual
  • Recycle

NEW GENERATION

  • Cupro
  • Hemp
  • Kapok
  • Sorona
  • Seacell

CELLULOSIC - Regenerated

  • Naia
  • LivaEco
  • Reviva
  • Tencel Lyocell
  • Tencel Modal
  • Tencel Ecovero Viscose
  • Tencel x Refibra
Product Sustainability

Driving Change through Digitalization

We multiplied the efficiency level of our sustainable design and production processes with our digital transformation practices. We use 3D design programs to bring our designs to life using less world resources.

EKOTEN and Browzwear 3D Launch the First True-to-Life Digital Fabric Collections in Turkey!

Thanks to our digitalization practices, we aim to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our sustainable design and production processes.

We develop innovative inventions and invest in sustainable technologies in order to use better options as a production method. In order to consume less natural resources, we create our digital fabric library by making use of 3D design program “Browzwear”.

Driven by innovation Ekoten always looks into the future to find solutions that work better, and adapts the most advanced technologies to create superior products. This new partnership with Browzwear provides advanced information and enables designers to digitally preview and design using Ekoten fabric technologies. The software allows the user to accurately model the fabric’s texture, drape, and movement in true-to-life 3D form as digital products.

The software allows the user to accurately model the fabric’s texture, drape, and movement in true-to-life 3D form as digital products.

Thanks to Our digital fabric library will:

  • Eliminate fabric waste
  • Enable smarter decisions faster
  • Save time and resources
  • Increase efficiency and speed
  • Reduce overall carbon footprint

In order to maintain and continuously improve our current success, we have placed special emphasis on digitizing our business processes and investing in our R&D activities.

Product Sustainability

Solar Energy for Sustainable Knitting

Established in 2018, Ekoten Knitting Facility has a production capacity of 40 tons. To produce various fabrics we have circular knitting machines, Jacquard machines, centreing and twisting machines to add features to the yarns. The solar energy system built specifically for our knitting factory has 4320 solar panels that deliver 1200 kwh electricity for operating up to 300 knitting machines. Using sustainable energy allows us to save resources and lower costs.

Product Sustainability

Monitoring System

Knitting with Technology

The knitting facility is monitored with the latest technology automation system. Machine operators can easily monitor their machines with smart watches integrated with the automation system and intervene in case of any problem. While capacity planning is made with instantly monitored machines and planning dashboard, forward order planning is made. Yarns, which are the main raw material monitored by the Rfid system, can be easily found in the storage area, can be assigned to the machines on order basis, and stock tracking can be done online.

  • Online Machine Screen
  • Wireless Data Transfer With Bluetooth
  • Detailed Production Monitoring Screen
  • 120 Pcs Smart Wristband With Stopping Control
Product Sustainability

WasteWater Treatment

We have a wastewater management system. We meet the requirements of all our customers. Our waste water and slush are tested periodically according to the zero discharge regulations and measurements are taken every day for evaluation.

We are aware that the available water resources in the world are decreasing day by day and the availability of water is of critical importance. As water requirement is great importance in our production processes, we monitor our water management performance and ensure the integration of new technologies into our processes. We effectively monitor the water we consume per product produced and take maximum care in the efficient use of natural resources.

  • Balancing tank
  • Waste heat recovery plant
  • Neutralization tank
  • Aeration tanks
  • Biological sedimentation tank
  • Chemical sedimentation tank

Continious improvements were made in wastewater treatment plant processes. Within the scope of these studies, treatment efficiency increased. Chemical consumption and effluent performance increased.

With new diffuser systems, aeration efficiency and effluent quality increased. The blower motor was replaced with a new generation technology, increasing the purification efficiency and saving energy.

With the Kaizen and 5S studies, time, workforce and chemical optimization was achieved in environmental operations.

Product Sustainability

Pad-Batch - Special Dyeing Method

Cold pad batch dyeing (CPB) is an alternative method of reactive dyeing that uses fewer resources. With CPB there is no need to apply heat during the process, and no salt or humectants are needed.

Cold Pad-Batch

Advantages of CPB

Compared to other reactive dyeing methods, such as jet dyeing, CPB offers several benefits:

  • Reduced water consumption.
  • Reduced energy consumption, as it is done at room temperature.
  • Higher percentage of dye fixation.
  • No salt used – resulting in easy dye wash off and no salt being present in the effluent.
  • Pre-dye checks can be carried out ensuring more fabric is dyed correctly.
  • Productivity – one CPD machine can dye more fabric than a jet machine.
  • Better suited to stretch fabrics and knits because it is easier to manage tension control in a small machine.