GTMA JV with Kloth to meet sustainable fabrics demand

GreenTech Malaysia Alliances (GTMA), a subsidiary of Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) and Kloth Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Kloth) has entered into a joint venture to form Kloth Lifestyle, which will promote and market quality, sustainable fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles.

Kloth Lifestyle aims to address the growing demand for sustainable apparel through the internationally-recognised, Shanghai-based Waste2Wear brand, as well as other eco-friendly sources. They are targeting RM2mil in revenue by 2017.

The company has already begun engaging with leading designers globally, while on the local front, it is in talks with potential clients from across the public sector, enforcement agencies, state governments, as well as with the property and banking sectors.

GreenTech Malaysia group chief executive officer Ahmad Hadri Haris said that they are always looking for new and innovative ways to incorporate green technology into daily life for the environmental, social and economic benefit of the country.

Kloth Lifestyle will open up new markets and opportunities for thems to make a positive environmental impact while educating the public on how green choices can be as simple as choosing to purchase green apparel.

They will be actively engaging with corporations and individuals to promote the appreciation for such products, and they believe there is immense potential for Kloth Lifestyle to be successful.

Kloth Lifestyle has been marketing Waste2Wear, a brand by Shanghai-based Vision Textiles which utilises post-consumer plastic bottles that are turned into 100% recycled polyester yarns.

These yarns are then used to produce high quality fabrics including tactical fabrics, bags, school uniforms, medical uniforms, sportswear, headscarves and more.

The process has been fully certified by international organisations including OEKO-TEX (Confidence in Textiles) from Switzerland, SCS Global Services from the US as well as Intertek and Control Union (GRS v3) from the UK.

Waste2Wear products are already being used by large corporations around the world including at Unilever, Coca Cola, Disney, Wehkamp, Claudia Strater and many more.

Here in Malaysia, Felda Wellness Corporation, Agro Bank and GreenTech Malaysia are also using the plastic bottle-derived clothing.

Kloth Lifestyle director Nik Suzila Nik Hassan said that they are delighted to be joining hands with GTMA. Their experience in marketing sustainable apparels and their experience in driving green procurement across the public and private sectors, formed a solid basis to further their partnership.

Kloth Lifestyle has also unveiled its latest innovation, the Conscious Collection by one of the most successful Dutch fashion designers, Monique Collignon which utilizes Waste2Wear fabric, made its debut on March 6 at the Starhill Gallery Fashion Week.

With more organizations and individuals become environmen-tally-conscious, the growth prospects for Kloth Lifestyle become increasingly promising.