What is the Kata Essential Tee made from?
We are proud that our t-shirts are made from ethically sourced materials, are responsibly manufactured, and are recyclable and biodegradable. Especially so as we are a self-funded, start-up brand.
The highly regenerative nature of bamboo means our t-shirts are made from a renewable resource, hugely minimising our environmental impact.
We choose to use cotton thread to sew the trims as it is recyclable and biodegradable. Only the spandex, dye and ink is not biodegradable. Despite this, the Essential Tee is a great step in the right direction towards a sustainable future in the sportswear industry.
The Kata Essential Tee
95% Mechanically Produced Bamboo
5% Spandex
Cotton Trim
Synthetic Dye
Synthetic Print Ink
Mechanically Produced Bamboo
vs
Bamboo Viscose
We researched extensively to find the best material to minimise our environmental impact as much as possible. Bamboo met our specifications and was the perfect material for us. There are two ways to manufacture bamboo fabric:
Firstly, bamboo viscose is a semi-synthetic and is the most popular method to produce bamboo clothing. After harvesting, the bamboo pulp is dipped in chemicals to extract the cellulose. The cellulose is exposed to a toxic chemical called carbon disulfide and then spun into fibres. Carbon disulfide is a strong chemical which can be dangerous to people working with it, as well as wasted into the environment. Furthermore, the bamboo fibres can retain this chemical which is introduced into the environment when the clothing is left to biodegrade.
Mechanically produced bamboo is natural and organic. Once the bamboo has been harvested, it is mechanically crushed to extract the cellulose. The crushed bamboo is soaked in a natural enzyme, washed and then spun into fibres. This process is slightly more intensive but does not pose a chemical risk to the workers or release any toxic chemicals into the environment.
Choosing to have our bamboo fabric mechanically produced was an easy decision. Although it costs us a little bit more, reducing the environmental impact and not supporting factories that put any employees health at risk is far more important.