Sustainable Batik Production: Review and Research Framework

Batik is one of the works of ancient art in some countries. This art has become closely associated with the identity of Southeast Asia particularly Indonesia. We define sustainable batik production as a batik production process that is non-polluting, conserving energy and natural resources, economically viable, safe for workers and consumers. The purpose of this study is to outline the results of a literature review on-field sustainability and batik production as well as to provide a conceptual framework for future studies. This study was conducted using a systematic review. The steps of systematic review process were suggested by Cronin, Ryan, and Coughlan (2008) including selecting a review topic, searching the literatures, analyzing and synthesizing the literature, and writing the review. Eighty-two (82) articles were found on sustainable batik production issues in the last ten years. Concerning the dimension of sustainable batik production addressed, four categories were formed: designing (17 papers), waxing (9 articles), dyeing (22 topics) and wastewater treatments (34 papers). From the resume of literature analysis, we found studies conducted in sustainable design (designing process) addressed in batik pattern drawing and pattern storing. Few studies examined waxing process, some studies conducted about utilize of natural dyes and numbers of studies about wastewater treatment of chemical dye. Some suggestions are also presented to stimulate future research of sustainability in batik production. Keywords— batik, sustainable batik production, batik process, literature review, research framework