To increase awareness and explore new possibilities for expanding our range of sustainable products for customers, we have established a sourcing steering committee. This committee is designed to take a more deliberate approach to our sustainable sourcing practices.

Ackermans initiatives
Ackermans has leveraged its long-standing supplier relationships to drive innovation and re-engineer fabrics. This allows them to maintain competitive prices while offering more sustainable products to their customers.

In FY23, Ackermans introduced the 100% Recycled Polyester programme, which successfully integrated recycled materials into a wide range of products, from babywear to women’s clothing, including tracksuits, tops and bottoms. Through this initiative, more than 52 million plastic bottles, with an average of eight bottles used per unit, were recycled and reused. Ackermans has also transitioned to using 100% Recycled Polyester yarns for their house brand and wash care labels.

Another recent initiative is the Global Recycled Standard-certified Regenerated Cotton basic T-shirt programme, which Ackermans introduced for the summer of 2023. This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also supports local knitters. Ackermans’ Textiles Technology team has played a pivotal role in setting up specialised knitting areas dedicated to this programme. The positive response from customers suggests that this initiative is likely to yield fruitful results in the coming year and in future.