Clean Batik Initiative Programme Launches ECOBATIK Signature Collection

Edward Hutabarat

JAKARTA, 11 June 2013 – The Clean Batik Initiative (CBI) programme marks its ongoing success by tapping into the upscale market. Implemented by the German Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (EKONID). CBI highlights its four-year programme by launching ECOBATIK Signature Collection – an exclusive 42-piece collection from Indonesia’s top five designers.

According to Martin Krummeck, Project Coordinator of CBI, the objective of ECOBATIK Signature Collection goes beyond showcasing the CBI programme and its achievements, as it is also a means for eco-friendly batik to penetrate the market. “We strongly encourage SMEs to produce environmentally-friendly batik products and at the same time we motivate Indonesian designers to take advantage of it,” said Krummeck.

Carmanita Collection

Working together with prominent Indonesian designers – among them Carmanita, Lenny Agustin, Musa Widyatmodjo, Caterina Hapsari, and Batik Factal – every piece of fabrics used in ECOBATIK Signature Collection is created by certified batik SMEs from various regions across the archipelago.

“Since its introduction in 2010, the four-year programme has successfully implemented sustainable production and provided technical assistance to more than 500 SMEs in six provinces in Indonesia, including the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Central Java, West Java, East Kalimantan, East Java and South Sulawesi,” added Krummeck.

Jan Rönnfeld, Managing Director of EKONID also expressed the hope that the launch of ECOBATIK will raise awareness on using clean batik products, as well as help promote clean batik in Indonesia and around the world.

“There’s a lack of eco-consciousness among batik consumers in Indonesia, which means that batik producers do not have any demand-led stimulus to switch to a cleaner method of production,” said Rönnfeld.

Many batik factories operate with excessive wax, chemical dyes and bleaching agents that are harmful to people and the environment. As a result, water scarcity is a common issue during the dry season, which often prompts the batik factories to turn to water solutions that require even greater energy supplies and which lead to increased production costs.

Mr. Colin Crooks, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation in Indonesia, stated "The EU as a strong promoter of the sustainable production and consumption in Indonesia is proud to support batik SMEs in addressing environmental issues and increasing their competitiveness domestically and beyond. We firmly believe that sustainable development is a key to Indonesia's growth and sustained economic development."

“Through this project I supported batik crafters to produce fabrics that are eco-friendly by providing pattern designs. This is not merely to support them in the recycling process, but also to help the earth become a place that’s comfortable to live in,” said Carmanita.

In the future, it is hoped that the launch of ECOBATIK will open the doors of opportunity for many batik SMEs in Indonesia, further enhance their enterprise’s sustainability, and spread the knowledge to other batik crafters.

For the first phase, ECOBATIK will be distributed in Java and Bali, while ECOBATIK Signature Collection will be sold exclusively at each designer’s boutiques.

About CBI

Clean Batik Initiative is a four-year programme implemented by the German Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The programme is co-financed by the European Union under the SWITCH-Asia grant. In its implementation, the CBI programme receives strong technical support from the Indonesian Cleaner Production Centre (ICPC) which is a unit under the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Indonesia. The programme consists of three components: Sustainable Production, Sustainable Consumption, and Policy Dialogues.

About SWITCH-Asia

SWITCH-Asia is promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production across the Asia region. It works with both producers and consumers on the ground as well as at policy-making level in formulating and implementing of SCP-related policies. Funded by the European Union, SWITCH-Asia has a €152 million budget earmarked for the period 2007-2013. In Indonesia, there are 8 projects implemented in various sectors including ecobatik, tofu-tempe production, sustainable and legal furniture, sustainable rattan, cleaner handwoven textile, lead-free paint, energy manager certification and efficient Air Conditioner. For more info: http://www.switch-asia.eu/

About EKONID

Since its founding in 1924, EKONID has become a reliable and competent business partner for German as well as Indonesian companies. EKONID has expert knowledge ranges from market information and new business relations, law-management consulting, trade fairs and event management to advertising and promotion. EKONID sees itself as a responsible member of the Indonesian society and is active in countless development projects. Our mission is to promote bilateral relations in the realm of economy aiming to secure sustainable trade and investment between the two countries.