Topic page cotton

Sustainability is on everyone's lips. Natural fibers play an important role in this.

Cotton, one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world, is a natural product that has been "domesticated" by us for thousands of years. Worldwide, 250 million people, mainly in developing countries, live from its cultivation.

Cultivation and processing methods? Cotton, a sustainable product? We answer these and many other questions.
Up-to-date, informative and to the point, you can read a lot of interesting facts about cotton here on our topic page.

The rise has been driven by growing interest in the Ventile ECO range. © Ventile

01/04/2025 – Business

Business

Ventile reports record sales in France

Sustainable textile manufacturer, Ventile, has reported an 800% increase in total sales in France for the period January – December 2024, marking a record-breaking ... By Editorial staff

The cotton is cultivated on 400 hectares in Seville and Córdoba, where it is harvested and ginned, before being spun and knitted in Portugal. © Pyratex

21/03/2025 – Sustainability

Sustainability

Pyratex launches new “0km” supply chain

Pyratex, a Spanish textile pioneer, announces a new “0km” supply chain using cotton cultivated in Spain. By Editorial staff

Global Standard, the nonprofit that operates the GOTS, is concerned EU Omnibus package will weaken sustainability reporting. © GOTS

17/03/2025 – On our own behalf

On our own behalf

Review of the industry - week 11/2025

At this point, we present the five most read articles of the past week. The ranking is based on your click behavior on the website. By Daniel Keienburg

In Kyrgyz cotton farming, water is used with care. Only the necessary amount is directed to the plants in May through controlled flows – yet they remain green long after. © Cotonea/Jörg Böthling

10/03/2025 – Separating fact from fiction

Separating fact from fiction

The fairy tale of thirsty cotton

For decades, the fast fashion industry has perpetuated myths about cotton, branding it as a “thirsty” crop to justify petroleum-based alternatives. But ... By Sibylle Michel

Boss Director Marketa Miltenberger and Co-Director Placido Klitzke. © Hugo Boss

10/02/2025 – On our own behalf

On our own behalf

Review of the industry - week 6/2025

At this point, we present the five most read articles of the past week. The ranking is based on your click behavior on the website. By Daniel Keienburg

The fair’s product categories cover 12 application areas, which comprehensively span a full range of potential uses in modern technical textiles and nonwovens. © Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.

03/02/2025 – On our own behalf

On our own behalf

Review of the industry - week 5/2025

At this point, we present the five most read articles of the past week. The ranking is based on your click behavior on the website. By Daniel Keienburg

Techtextil 2026 concentrates Textile Chemicals & Dyes in a separate product segment for the first time. © Messe Frankfurt

28/01/2025 – On our own behalf

On our own behalf

Review of the industry - week 4/2025

At this point, we present the five most read articles of the past week. The ranking is based on your click behavior on the website. By Daniel Keienburg

20/01/2025 – On our own behalf

On our own behalf

Review of the industry - week 3/2025

At this point, we present the five most read articles of the past week. The ranking is based on your click behavior on the website. By Daniel Keienburg

The farms have registered improved soil health and increased biodiversity in their productions. © The Egyptian Biodynamic Association

15/01/2025 – Sustainable cotton

Sustainable cotton

Ventile supports organic cotton growers in Egypt

Sustainable textile manufacturer, Ventile, has issued a progress update as part of its ongoing efforts to promote biodynamic farming in Egypt, following ... By Editorial staff

02/12/2024 – An insight into Ventile by brand manager Daniel Odermatt

An insight into Ventile by brand manager Daniel Odermatt

What makes Ventile fabrics so exclusive

Ventile, a fabric brand owned by Zurich-based Stotz & Co., continues to make strides with its high performance fabrics, comprised of cotton and other ... John W. McCurry

22/11/2024 – Workwear fabrics

Workwear fabrics

Carrington Textiles aligns all cotton fabrics with “Better Cotton”

Carrington Textiles, a global leader in the manufacture of workwear, flame retardant and defence and security fabrics, underlines its commitment to sustainability ... By Sibylle Michel

TN_ENG_KW_31_Wochenrückblick — Products bearing the Oeko-Tex Organic Cotton label have been manufactured without the use of GMOs and tested for pesticides and other harmful substances. © Oeko-Tex

05/08/2024 – On our own behalf

On our own behalf

Review of the industry - week 31/2024

At this point, we present the five most read articles of the past week. The ranking is based on your click behavior on the website. By Editorial staff

Products bearing the Oeko-Tex Organic Cotton label have been manufactured without the use of GMOs and tested for pesticides and other harmful substances. © Oeko-Tex

30/07/2024 – Oeko-Tex certification

Oeko-Tex certification

Organic cotton verification within global regulation

In a context of growing concerns over the effects of climate change and socio-environmental considerations by brands and consumers, consumption of more ... By Sibylle Michel

Bremen Cotton Report. © Irina Sokolovskaya/stock.adobe.com

16/01/2024 – Bremen Cotton Exchange

Bremen Cotton Exchange

Challenges in logistics and the cotton of the future

The 01/02 issue of the Bremen Cotton Report has been published. Here is a brief overview of the current state of logistics, an outlook on breeding and ... By Editorial staff

Warehouse for organic raw cotton in Uganda. © Cotonea Klaus Mellenthin

17/11/2023 – Company birthday

Company birthday

20 years of Cotonea

In 2003, Elmer & Zweifel, a traditional cotton textiles company based in Bempflingen, Swabia, founded the Cotonea brand. The aim was and is not so much ... By Susanne Böhm

31/10/2023 – Bremen Cotton Exchange

Bremen Cotton Exchange

Cotton demand continues to slip

The issuo No. 39/40 of the Bremen Cotton Report has been published. The report gives an overview of how cotton can be composted, cotton crop in Greece ... By Editorial staff

06/10/2023 – World Cotton Day

World Cotton Day

Celebrating the importance of cotton

Cotton is the most important natural fibre in the fashion and textile industry. The cultivation of cotton offers a subsistence, if not a basis of life, ... By Editorial staff

01/09/2023 – Bremen Cotton Report

Bremen Cotton Report

Record crop expected

The latest issue No. 33/34 of the Bremen Cotton Report has been published. The main topics are: Bangladesh: Growing apparel exports set to boost 2023/24 ... By Editorial staff

01/09/2023 – Bremen Cotton Report

Bremen Cotton Report

Record crop expected

The latest issue No. 33/34 of the Bremen Cotton Report has been published. The main topics are: Bangladesh: Growing apparel exports set to boost 2023/24 ... By Editorial staff

KW_33_WR_TN_WNG — "It is crystal clear we need to progress to digital labelling for apparel and footwear. The global environment needs it, the industry wants it, and consumers are expecting it,” said IAF Secretary General Matthijs Crietee. © yavdat / stock.adobe.com

21/08/2023 – Advertorial

Advertorial

Review of the industry - week 33/2023

At this point, we present the five most read articles of the past week. The ranking is based on your click behavior on the website. By Editorial staff

21/08/2023 – Bremen Cotton Report

Bremen Cotton Report

Decrease in cotton production

The latest issue No. 31/32 of the Bremen Cotton Report has been published. The main topics are: USDA predicts an decrease in cotton production, Pakistan ... By Editorial staff

Developments in the international cotton market (China, India and USA). © Irina Sokolovskaya/stock.adobe.com

04/08/2023 – Bremen Cotton Exchange

Bremen Cotton Exchange

Cotton production worldwide

The latest issuo No. 29/30 of the Bremen Cotton Report has been published. The report gives an overview of how China, India and the USA are doing in the ... By Editorial staff

11/04/2023 – Bremen Cotton Report

Bremen Cotton Report

Uzbekistan and Australia with record values

The cotton industry in Uzbekistan continues to grow. In Australia, record areas are being used for cultivation. By Susanne Böhm

28/02/2023 – Indian cotton production

Indian cotton production

Production forecast lowered for 2022/23

USDA estimates season 2022/23 cotton production for India at 5,77 m tonnes, down 4 % from last month, but up 9 percent from 2021/22.

24/02/2023 – Cotton

Cotton

2022/23 U.S. Exports Fall on Lower Global Demand

U.S. 2022/23 exports are lowered 54,000 tonnes compared with the previous month to 2.6 m tonnes.

The project focuses on enhancing cotton plant resistance to insect pests. © bernadette warner/EyeEm/stock.adobe.com

15/12/2022 – Research

Research

Novel pest management tool for cotton production

The development of new targeted agricultural pest management technologies could reduce crop losses and production costs, while improving environmental ... By Sibylle Michel

08/12/2022 – China

China

Slowing global cotton consumption

The decline in China yarn imports led to lower cotton consumption in major yarn exporting countries such as India, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. By Sibylle Michel

For the major producing countries, 2022/23 stock changes are forecast to vary considerably. Stocks in China are projected to increase marginally. In contrast in India, they are projected to increase considerably, similarly in Brazil. © Bremer Baumwollbörse

21/11/2022 – Cotton forecast

Cotton forecast

Global cotton trade and stocks increase in 2022/23

World cotton trade for 2022/23 was cut this month by 218,000 tonnes to a projected 9.5 million tonnes but is still forecast to increase 146,000 tonnes ... By Sibylle Michel

As a holistic standard, the comprehensive and strict requirements of GOTS ensure transparent and traceable processing for organic textiles from field to finished product. © GOTS

15/11/2022 – Certification

Certification

GOTS significantly raises requirements for certified gins

GOTS brings integrity to organic products. To further advance the system, GOTS is significantly raising the requirements for GOTS-certified gins. By Sibylle Michel

The first of the partnership collection between Good Earth Cotton and Advance Denim will be released in December 2022. © Good Earth Cotton

17/10/2022 – Sustainable denim production

Sustainable denim production

Advance Denim partners with Good Earth Cotton

The partnership enables a fully traceable denim collection made from climate positive fibre, produced using clean indigo dyeing technology. By Sibylle Michel

Cotton’s been keeping people dressed for over 8,000 years. © Uster Technologies

07/10/2022 – World Cotton Day

World Cotton Day

Cotton – a unique natural fiber

World Cotton Day – on October 7 every year – is a celebration of one of the world’s most important natural fiber. Let’s take a closer look at cotton with ... By Sibylle Michel

16/09/2022 – Cotton

Cotton

2021/22 U.S. exports fall on lower supplies

2021/22 U.S. exports are estimated to have fallen more than 370,000 tonnes from the previous year to 3.2 million tonnes owing to less exportable supplies. By Sibylle Michel

Spinning mill preparation at Velener Textil, a member of the Bremen Cotton Exchange. © Velener Textil

08/09/2022 – 36th International Cotton Conference Bremen

36th International Cotton Conference Bremen

Textile processes in the fast lane

There will be several lectures on problem areas and suitable solutions in the context of textile processes on September 30, 2022, at the 36th International ... By Sibylle Michel

31/08/2022 – Cotton

Cotton

Season 2022/23 marked by uncertainty

The volatility with cotton prices, global macroeconomic conditions, and the turmoil in Eastern Europe are creating uncertainties in cotton demand. By Sibylle Michel

In addition to the founders and shareholders Steffen Gerlach (CEO, on the left) and Reiner Mantsch (CTO, on the right), the core team of Eeden consists of Julian Hertrampf (CMO), Tobias Boernhorst (process engineering) and Lennart Marx (chemical engineering). © Eeden

08/08/2022 – Textile recycling

Textile recycling

Innovative process enables upcycling of old clothing

The startup Eeden has developed an innovative process for the sustainable and environmentally friendly recycling of clothing and other textile products. By Sibylle Michel

Attendance at the conference will be possible in presence in Bremen as well as online. © Bremer Baumwollbörse

03/08/2022 – Cotton Conference

Cotton Conference

Program of the 36th International Cotton Conference Bremen

The 36th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 29–30 September 2022. Up to 500 guests from 40 countries are expected. Registration ... By Sibylle Michel

Global trade forecast at its second highest level © Bremer Baumwollbörse

06/07/2022 – Cotton

Cotton

2022/23 Cotton consumption to decrease

USDA’s latest forecast for the upcoming 2022/23 season projects cotton consumption to decline to 26.56 million tons, down 218,000 tonnes from the previous ... By Sibylle Michel

27/04/2022 – Cotton

Cotton

Good fiber, good yarn, good business

Purchasers of raw cotton must focus on the price, but even mor so on the fiber quality. Why is cotton quality data so extremely crucial? By Sibylle Michel

25/04/2022 – Japan

Japan

Lowest cotton imports since World War II

Due to the tense economic circumstances in Japan, the situation for the textile industry there remains difficult. This also applies to cotton imports. By Sibylle Michel

USCTP wants to set a new standard for more sustainable cotton production. © Pixel-Shot/stock.adobe.com

22/03/2022 – Annual Report of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

Annual Report of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

On the road to more sustainable cotton production

The Trust Protocol highlights that significant progress has already been made compared to the last surveys conducted by the US Department of Agriculture ... By Editorial staff

The user navigates through the textile production stages and individually accesses provided location information, images and content. © Remei

18/03/2022 – Traceability

Traceability

Cotton fibres traceable back to the origin

With the digital traceability tool my-trace by Remei, the organic cotton textile trader Remei is fully disclosing the manufacturing process of textiles. By Sibylle Michel

Finished goods have been taking longer to reach their destinations as shortages of containers and outbreaks of Covid-19 have halted operations and caused delays at ports. © Travel mania/stock.adobe.com

27/01/2022 – Supply Chain

Supply Chain

Apparel supply chains under pressure

Global apparel supply chains are under pressure as prices of fibres and other textile materials rise, energy costs soar and costs of freight escalate. By Editorial staff

Giza-Protect is an inherently FR Egyptian cotton yarn that meets the requirements for protective clothing and industrial workwear. © MTC

24/01/2022 – Egyptian Giza cotton

Egyptian Giza cotton

Teaching an old fiber new tricks

MTC has launched a new line of inherently flame-retardant spun yarns based on extra-long staple Egyptian Giza cotton blend, which is known as Giza-Protect. By Editorial staff

05/01/2022 – Pandemic

Pandemic

International Cotton Conference Bremen postponed

The 36th International Cotton Conference Bremen, originally planned for 30 and 31 March, has been postponed to 29 and 30 September 2022. By Sibylle Michel

It is anticipated that the technology will be adopted at scale across all textile processing sites and facilities in Benin and across the African sub-continent. © FibreTrace

08/12/2021 – Africa’s first fully traceable cotton supply chain

Africa’s first fully traceable cotton supply chain

ARISE IIP and FibreTrace collaborate for pilot program

The partnership between FibreTrace and ARISE IIP will bring full traceability to the first of their kind, vertically integrated mills in the Republic of ... By Editorial staff

Roland Stelzer (front right) talking to the organic cotton farmers in Kyrgyzstan. © Cotonea/Klaus Mellenthin

10/09/2021 – Interview with Roland Stelzer on SDG 8

Interview with Roland Stelzer on SDG 8

Cotonea commits to fair work conditions

What do fair working conditions look like and how are they implemented at Cotonea? textile network spoke with CEO Roland Stelzer. By Sibylle Michel

A new scientific finding now concludes: Cotton is much more climate-friendly than thought. © Cotonea/Klaus Mellenthin

28/07/2021 – Positive carbon footprint

Positive carbon footprint

Cotton better than its reputation

A new finding suggests that cotton could be the path to a climate-friendly textile industry cause cotton binds CO2 more effectively than other crops. By Sibylle Michel

The current annual report of the Bremen Cotton Exchange is now available in German. The English version will be available from the end of August 2021. © Cotton Australia/Paul Beiboer

19/07/2021 – Exceptional Year 2020

Exceptional Year 2020

Annual Report of the Bremen Cotton Exchange

The annual report 2020 of the Bremen Cotton Exchange is now available in German. The report focuses on the production, trade and processing of cotton. By Sibylle Michel

Cotton lint loss increased as a result of the unusual weather event caused by the cyclone Ianos. © Bremer Baumwollbörse

18/05/2021 – Exports affected by low production

Exports affected by low production

Greek cotton production to decline

The decline was due to lower agreage, unfavorable weather conditions during harvest, and average yields. By Sibylle Michel

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service post in Cairo forecasts market year 2021/22 cotton area harvested to increase by seven percent to 70,000 hectares, from 65,000 hectares in season 2020/21. © Bremer Baumwollbörse

12/05/2021 – Losses from 2020/21 season made up

Losses from 2020/21 season made up

Egypt: Increasing cotton production 2021/22

Post attributes the increase to higher area harvested and containment of the white fly infestation that caused losses in 2020/21. By Sibylle Michel