Sri Lanka’s top weft knitted fabric manufacturers, Ocean Lanka has joined hands with Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) to increase utilisation of sustainable cotton. CmiA is one of the leading suppliers of sustainably produced cotton.

The cotton made in Africa is an initiative of the Aid by Trade Foundation, that operates on the principle where retailers and brands pay a license fee for every product bearing the CmiA label. The licensing revenue is then reinvested into training smallholder cotton farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, to improve living conditions. 

Dr Austin Au, the Managing Director of Ocean Lanka, stated that in 2009 they had made a commitment to source more sustainable cotton and in the present over 40% of fabric and yarn they utilise were already sustainable. Austin stated that this partnership with CmiA would allow them to further increase that proportion by putting them as well as their way to reach at least 75% by 2025.

Ocean Lanka has maintained a protective stance in bettering the textile and apparel industry and reducing the environmental impact. Austin stated that their partnership with CmiA was an expansion of their responsible fabric portfolio, that included organic cotton, GOTS certified organic cotton fibres and BCI cotton. 

The company was established in 1996 and are known for supplying knitted fabrics to renowned international brands including Victoria’s Secret, PVH (Tommy Hilfiger/Calvin Klein), Nike, Uniqlo, GAP, Amazon, Michael Kors, Marks and Spencer, Lacoste, Puma, Intimissimi and Hanes.

The company has is basically a joint venture between Hong Kong-based Fountain Set Holdings and local apparel giants Hirdaramani Group and Brandix Lanka Limited.