Sustainability
Sustainability Vision 2030
At Erateks, our sustainability vision is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By integrating responsible production practices, supporting fair and ethical working conditions, minimizing environmental impact, and fostering inclusive growth, we actively contribute to the global agenda for a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future. Our ambition to become a pioneer in sustainable garment manufacturing, which reflects our commitment to these universal goals and the positive transformation of the garment industry.
Environment
We conduct all our operations with a strong sense of environmental responsibility, in line with our core principles of sustainability.
We remain committed to global efforts to combat climate change, and we continuously improve and assess our environmental performance through transparent reporting on international platforms such as the UNFCCC, CDP, and Higg FEM.
We take concrete actions in key areas such as the use of sustainable materials, carbon-neutral production targets, waste management, and water resource conservation, while integrating circular economy principles into all our operational processes.
Through our commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and environmentally responsible production, we embrace the responsibility of safeguarding both the present and the future.
Management Systems (EMS)
At Erateks, we sustain our environmental management systems in accordance with international standards.
As a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), we fulfill our corporate responsibilities to achieve global climate goals.
Through our Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and Higg FEM reporting, we regularly monitor and share our environmental impacts.
Our internal assessment processes are conducted in compliance with ISO 14001 standards, while our energy management efforts align with ISO 50001 standards.
With a focus on continuous improvement, we enhance our environmental performance each year.
Energy
We place energy management processes at the heart of our sustainable production vision.
By regularly analyzing our natural gas, diesel, and electricity consumption, we measure and optimize energy intensity across all departments.
Water Management
The protection and efficient use of water resources are key elements of our environmental policy.
Since 2013, our Fatsa facilities have operated an 80-ton capacity rainwater harvesting system, which has supplied approximately 55% of our annual water consumption.
Wastewater Management
At our facilities, only domestic wastewater is generated, which is discharged into the municipal infrastructure in accordance with legal permits and regulations.
Air Emissions
In line with the scope of our operations, we benefit from certain exemptions under environmental permits.
Since 2018, we have been regularly calculating and reporting our greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064-1 standards.
Waste Management
The waste generated from our production processes is classified as hazardous and non-hazardous, and is either recycled or disposed of in accordance with relevant legal regulations.
Our polyester textile waste is sent to recycling facilities under the RE:FIBRE Program, a joint initiative with PUMA, where it is converted into fiber, yarn, and ultimately circular products.
Textile waste is also transformed into yarn or insulation materials at recycling facilities, contributing to the circular economy. Waste types, such as plastic and paper, are collected by licensed recycling companies.
We monitor and report our waste management performance regularly and remain committed to increasing our recycling rates and achieving our zero-waste target.
Chemicals Management
Our chemical management processes prioritize human health and environmental impact, and we implement this approach in an integrated manner with our ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System.
All chemicals used in our supply chain and production processes are selected in compliance with REACH and OEKO-TEX standards.
To ensure product safety, we conduct Restricted Substances List (RSL) tests annually in accredited laboratories within the scope of our clients collaborations.
Carbon Footprint Reports
Governance
We uphold the principles of ethical governance and transparency as integral components of our sustainability vision.
We align our operations with international standards to ensure environmental, social, and economic sustainability, guided by values such as accountability, stakeholder engagement, and traceability.
By fostering an inclusive workplace and embracing digital transformation, we enhance process efficiency and strengthen the traceability of our sustainability practices across all departments—from production to human resources.
Through globally recognized management systems, third-party verification, and transparent reporting tools such as CDP, Higg FEM, and SLCP, we reinforce our commitment to responsible business conduct.
We extend this responsibility to our supply chain, promoting sustainable practices and long-term partnerships that minimize environmental and social impact.
We place sustainability at the core of our corporate values. To ensure environmental, social, and economic sustainability, we operate according to the principles of transparency, accountability, and traceability. We value stakeholder engagement in our decision-making processes and foster trust-based relationships through open communication. Enhancing workforce diversity and creating an inclusive work environment where all individuals have equal access to opportunities form the foundation of our sustainable development approach.
We regularly evaluate our sustainability performance and enhance its reliability through third-party verification. We monitor and transparently share our corporate sustainability performance indicators with stakeholders through assessments and reporting tools such as CDP, Higg FEM, SLCP, and CO2 analyses.
Transparency and responsible sourcing are fundamental to sustainable supply chain management. We promote sustainable practices across our core supply chain and collaborate with our business partners to minimize environmental and social impacts. Through this approach, we enhance traceability within the supply chain and establish long-term, responsible partnerships.
We integrate our sustainability efforts with digitalization to design more efficient and traceable processes. By leveraging advanced digital solutions across various areas—from production and human resources to product development and operational processes—we reduce waste and minimize our environmental impact. Our commitment to sustainability is verified by traceability through internationally recognized management systems such as ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 50001, and 27001, as well as product and process certifications including GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS, OEKO-TEX, and I-REC.
Social
We believe that sustainability begins with people.
Guided by the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion, we create a fair and empowering work environment where all individuals can thrive. We ensure full compliance with national and international labor standards, and take concrete steps to support employee well-being through fair wages, social benefits, and inclusive workplace practices.
Our commitment to human rights and social equity is reflected in our participation in global initiatives such as the UN Global Compact and the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).
Through active employee participation, comprehensive training programs, and a strong occupational health and safety culture, we foster a workplace where every voice matters and every individual contributes to collective progress.
In all our operations and throughout our supply chain, we uphold the highest standards of social compliance, aiming to build not only a responsible business, but a socially justice future.
Our wage and benefits policies are aligned with national and international standards, including the Turkish Labor Law, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and ILO core conventions. We offer fair and equal opportunities to support the well-being of our employees through a variety of benefits. At Erateks, we implement programs such as performance bonuses, nursery assistance, and scholarships for employees' children pursuing university education to enhance employee motivation and quality of life. These initiatives not only contribute to our employees’ financial well-being but also demonstrate our commitment to creating a positive and empowering workplace environment.
We believe that our employees’ knowledge, experience, and perspectives add value to our processes. Through our participatory management approach, we strengthen not only efficiency but also the sense of belonging. We see every employee as an active part of change and progress, working together to foster a more sustainable and innovative work environment.
The health and safety of our employees are central to all our production processes. Our goal is to achieve zero fatal accidents and maintain a rate of less than 1% in incidents causing lost workdays—achieved through a sustainable safety culture. To this end, we go beyond legal obligations, ensuring full compliance with Turkish Labor Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety and applying the ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System at the highest level. With regular training, risk assessments, and preventive measures, we are dedicated to providing a healthy, safe, and highly aware workplace environment for all employees.
At Erateks, we consider the continuous development of our employees as our most valuable investment. To sustain both individual and corporate success, we offer comprehensive training and development opportunities. Our training programs are designed not only to enhance competencies but also to strengthen innovative thinking, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Through our internal promotion culture, we provide continuous support to help every employee reach their full potential. Our employees are not merely task performers—they are a powerful team driving change and innovation. For us, training is not just a requirement; it is directly linked to employee satisfaction, motivation, and corporate loyalty.
At Erateks, we are committed to creating a fair and supportive workplace rooted in diversity and inclusion. We provide equal opportunities in all recruitment and placement processes—regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, or other characteristics. We offer social support programs for vulnerable groups, including pregnant and breastfeeding employees, persons with disabilities, foreign nationals, and retirees. As a proud signatory of the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), we demonstrate our strong commitment to gender equality. Women currently make up 33% of our board of directors, 50% of our management team, and 60% of our overall workforce. Through collaboration with civil society organizations, academia, and industry professionals, we promote equal opportunity and strive to create a sustainable, inclusive impact across our entire supply chain.
Erateks places significant emphasis on meeting the highest standards of social compliance in the industry and adhering to the Codes of Conduct of our business partners. In this context, we actively participate in brand audits, the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP), and various brand-specific compliance initiatives. We prioritize ethical labor practices across all our production processes, ensuring fair, safe, and dignified working conditions for our employees. Our operations are fully aligned with the provisions of the Turkish Labor Code No. 4857, which governs fair employment practices, and Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety, which ensures the well-being and protection of workers in the workplace. In accordance with these national regulations and international labor standards, we remain focused on continuous improvement to build a responsible, transparent, and sustainable supply chain.