Sustainability

A considered approach to knitwear

At Onika Knitwear, sustainability is not treated as a statement, but as a system of decisions - shaping how each piece is designed, sourced, and produced.
Rooted in the principles of slow fashion, the brand focuses on longevity, material integrity, and responsible craftsmanship. Each garment is created to be worn over time, reducing the need for excess and encouraging a more intentional wardrobe.

Buy Less, Choose Well

The most responsible garment is the one that is worn repeatedly.
Onika Knitwear is built on the philosophy of buy less, buy better—prioritising quality, durability, and timeless design over volume and seasonality.
Production is intentionally limited. Each piece is developed in small batches using carefully selected yarns, ensuring both longevity and reduced waste.

Materials & Certifications

The foundation of sustainability lies in the materials.
Yarns are sourced from leading Italian mills known for their commitment to traceability, environmental responsibility, and high-quality fibre processing. Only certified natural fibres are used, ensuring both performance and accountability across the supply chain.
These include:

  • Cashmere (ICEA-certified / responsibly sourced Mongolian cashmere)
  • Mohair (RMS-certified)
  • Wool (RWS-certified, mulesing-free)
  • Alpaca (RAS-certified / ethically sourced blends)
  • OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified yarns

    These certifications guarantee responsible animal welfare, controlled chemical use, and safe, traceable production processes.

Responsible Production

Production follows a small-scale, intentional model.
The core collection is handcrafted in the Salzburg atelier, preserving traditional knitting techniques and ensuring direct control over quality and process. Alongside this, selected pieces are developed in collaboration with small, specialised partners who share the same standards of craftsmanship and precision.
This approach allows the brand to maintain its artisanal foundation while producing responsibly and without excess.

Environmental Responsibility

Beyond materials, attention is given to how yarns are produced and processed.
Our yarn suppliers:

  • operate with reduced energy consumption (up to 40%)
  • utilise renewable and lower-impact energy sources
  • minimise water usage and pollution
  • follow ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) standards
  • are verified through the 4sustainability® protocol, reaching high implementation levels

    These measures ensure that environmental impact is reduced at every stage of fibre processing.

Low-Impact Inventory

Overproduction is one of the largest challenges in fashion.
To address this, Onika Knitwear maintains low inventory levels and produces only what is necessary. This reduces waste while ensuring that each piece remains intentional and considered.

Climate-Conscious Shipping

Where possible, shipments are made using climate-conscious services such as DHL GoGreen, helping to reduce carbon impact across delivery.

A Continuous Process

Sustainability is not static.
Each decision - from fibre selection to production methods - is continuously evaluated and refined. The goal is not perfection, but progress: creating knitwear that balances craftsmanship, responsibility, and longevity in a meaningful way.

Learn More About Our Knitwear

Glossary

GOTS - Global Organic Textile Standard

Certifies that textile products are made from natural fibres sourced from organic farming, free from synthetic pesticides and genetically modified organisms.

Mulesing Free

Mulesing is a controversial surgical procedure performed on sheep, to prevent flystrike by removing strips of skin around the tail area. The term "mulesing-free" ensures that the wool production avoids this practice, promoting more ethical and animal-friendly treatment of sheep

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

Is a global certification system for testing and verifying that textiles and accessories are free from harmful substances at all stages of processing.

Alpaca Blend Mark

This certification, from A.I.A., a Peruvian non-profit, ensures sustainable and ethical practices throughout the supply chain. It promotes economic, social, and environmental responsibility with a strong focus on protecting both local and global ecosystems.

RMS - Responsible Mohair Standard

Certify that wool and mohair-producing animals are treated humanely and that land management practices are sustainable.

RWS - Responsible Wool Standard

Certify that wool and mohair-producing animals are treated humanely and that land management practices are sustainable.

RAS - Responsible Alpaca Standard

Certify that wool and mohair-producing animals are treated humanely and that land management practices are sustainable.