Erak Decreasing Footprints & Increasing Impact
One doesn’t need to school Erak on the significance of sustainability.
The Turkish manufacturer, which exports its denim to many major retailers, has made technology innovation a key component of its business plan. Equipping its factory with 19 laser machines, three ozone machines, and highly efficient washing and nanobubble machines, the company is mindful of its impact on the earth and how it affects those who wear its product.
Ezgi Buyuk, fabric and accessories R&D chief, talked with Carved in Blue about the challenges of making denim in today’s industry, as well as the promise that technology can bring.
Carved in Blue: Tell us about your sustainability initiatives. How do you incorporate laser and ozone?
Ezgi: As a huge and experienced company, we’re fully aware of the environmental impacts of our facility. We are calculating all the water, energy and chemical we consume in our production steps, and we recycle or retreat them. With our condensate steam lines, we can reuse heat and steam in production.
Each and every year, our consumption of water and energy decreases, and alternative methods of pumice stone and chemical use is expanding. The water discharged from the facilities that’s going back to nature after retreatment is non-toxic and drinkable. It’s also inspected and tested on a regular basis by government-accredited companies. Our factory’s environmental impact, labor rights, management and many other details are certified and inspected by some of the most important organizations throughout the world.
Lasers are helping us improve time and labor efficiency with nearly every garment we produce, and they give us the ability to capture the best effects on designs. Ozone machines reduce bleaching time, energy and chemical consumption, and we tend to use them more and more.
Carved in Blue: What innovations in garment making and laundry techniques do you see in the next 5-10 years?
Ezgi: We believe computer-based controlling systems for every step of production will reduce any type of consumption and improve efficiency dramatically. Trends already driving consumers’ behaviors will be more conscious about major problems like the environment and labor, and all producers and manufacturers in the market must respond to these trends as much as possible.
Carved in Blue: Why do you like working with fabrics using TENCEL™ and REFIBRA™?
Ezgi: The general outcome of these fibers is really soft. The looks are elegant, and the feeling is one of a kind. REFIBRA™ is an incredible technology in recycling standards.
Carved in Blue: Can you tell us about the REFIBRA™ and TENCEL™ capsule collection with Kipas? What has been the customer response?
Ezgi: We loved the Kipas fabrics that are made with REFIBRA™ and TENCELTM, and we enjoyed designing with them in a sustainable manner. Our customers are really into these fibers and keep asking us for more developments in the near future.
Carved in Blue: How is the current textile market situation in Turkey?
Ezgi: It seems stable, but we know we have to work more in today’s competitive market.
Carved in Blue: What do you think the denim industry is missing today?
Ezgi: We believe that finding skilled labor is getting harder to match what the trends need. Now we can see that investments in education are more important than ever.
Carved in Blue: What are your favorite cities?
Ezgi: Tokyo, New York and Amsterdam, of course.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Ezgi: It’s a great platform to follow and inspire. We hope it will reach out to more people as soon as possible.