In today’s world, where businesses must balance profit and protecting the environment, Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka, Director of Sustainability at Komar, a US billion-dollar apparel organization that owns many brands, shows how both goals can work together. His practical strategies and innovative ideas have helped Komar lead the way in sustainability while growing its global influence. Through his dedicated efforts, Thiwanka has proven that environmental stewardship can drive business success rather than hinder it.
Thiwanka’s sustainability plan for Komar is both practical and forward-thinking. He created the 2030 Environmental Sustainability Strategy by focusing on four key areas: retailer needs, consumer expectations, global legislation primarily focused on the US as a US brand, and industry standards. These four pillars serve as the foundation for creating actionable and impactful initiatives that align with both Komar’s business goals and the demands of the market. “Environmental sustainability cannot be separated from business operations,” he says. “It’s a part of how a business stays successful and sustainable.” This approach helps Komar tap into the growing market for sustainable fashion, which is expected to reach $33 billion globally by 2030.
Thiwanka highlights the importance of addressing consumer perceptions, which play a critical role in shaping demand for sustainable products. By understanding the evolving expectations of consumers and retailers, Komar positions itself as a leader in this competitive market. Additionally, the strategy embraces global legislative trends and industry best practices, ensuring that Komar not only complies with but also sets new standards in sustainability.
By working on real solutions and fair partnerships, Thiwanka ensures Komar delivers on its promises. The company’s core belief in “practical strategies beyond paper” and “equitable value chain partnerships” underpins every aspect of its sustainability efforts. These values ensure that the initiatives have tangible results and long-term benefits for both the environment and the business.
Thiwanka’s work includes but is not limited to solving tough problems in wastewater and chemical management—two critical areas in environmental sustainability. While working at ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals), he played a vital role in updating ZDHC wastewater guidelines to avoid harmful chemicals from discharging into the environment. “This was a challenging yet rewarding experience,” he recalls. These efforts continued at Komar, where he supported improving the wastewater treatment plants of Komar’s suppliers to meet wastewater compliance against local laws and the ZDHC wastewater guidelines.
In chemical management, he led projects that replaced harmful substances with safer alternatives and reduced chemical use by improving product recipes. During his tenure at MAS, some safer alternatives were uniquely formulated with the support of chemical formulators to meet specific operational needs, showcasing his ability to merge technical expertise with innovation. He has also undertaken initiatives to train suppliers on chemical safety, compliance, and certifications. By improving knowledge and implementing best practices, he has helped Komar’s supply chain meet rigorous global standards while reducing environmental impact.
Thiwanka believes in looking at problems from different angles and finding solutions that work for everyone involved. At Komar, he introduced the Higg FEM platform to measure the environmental sustainability performance of suppliers. Higg FEM is a common industry tool used for this purpose. Some suppliers resisted due to costs and lack of knowledge. To address this, he created campaigns to show suppliers how the platform could save them money and resources. He also developed a Higg FEM toolkit, which included templates and examples to guide suppliers through the assessment process. By addressing specific challenges and knowledge gaps, the toolkit made it easier for suppliers to conduct Higg FEM annual assessments and improve their environmental sustainability performances.
“You can’t force sustainability,” he explains. “It’s about working together and offering support.” His collaborative approach ensures that suppliers feel empowered rather than pressured, fostering stronger partnerships and better results.
Thiwanka leads sustainability teams across Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and the United States. He stresses the importance of teamwork and open communication. Using digital tools and regular meetings, he ensures everyone’s ideas are heard and celebrated.
“Sustainability requires effort from all teams,” he says. He recognizes that meaningful change comes from the combined efforts of cross-functional teams. By empowering his teams and rewarding innovative ideas, he creates a culture where collaboration thrives.
Komar uses platforms like Power BI, SharePoint, and AI-driven tools to streamline communication and decision-making. Regular knowledge-sharing sessions and brainstorming meetings encourage diverse perspectives and foster creative solutions. These practices not only drive innovation but also ensure that sustainability goals remain aligned across regions and departments.
Thiwanka’s vision goes beyond meeting current standards. He wants to create truly sustainable products by focusing on the entire product lifecycle—from raw materials extraction to post-consumer waste disposal.
“A sustainable product isn’t just about the materials. It’s also about how and where it is made and disposed of at the end of the life cycle,” he emphasizes.
He is excited about innovations like biodegradable fabrics, biobased materials and chemicals, waterless dyeing, and closed-loop production. These technologies and concepts have the potential to transform the fashion industry, making it more circular and less harmful. He also supports ideas like repairing and reselling clothes to reduce waste and extend the lifecycle of products.
However, he recognizes challenges, such as the high cost of sustainable products. “We need to make sustainability affordable for everyone,” he suggests. Addressing this issue will require collaboration across the value chain, from suppliers to consumers, and a commitment to innovation that lowers costs while maintaining quality.
Thiwanka also emphasizes the role of education in promoting sustainable fashion. By raising awareness about the benefits of sustainable products, he believes consumers can make more informed choices that drive demand for eco-friendly options.
His work at Komar and his previous roles show how businesses can succeed while protecting the planet. His leadership has helped Komar go beyond expectations and set an example for others in the industry.
Under his guidance, sustainability is not just a goal—it’s a way of doing business. His dedication inspires change, helping Komar and the fashion industry move toward a brighter, greener future. By prioritizing practical solutions, collaboration, and innovation, Thiwanka continues to redefine what it means to be a leader in sustainability.