#Raw Materials

2017-02-08

Cotton production: efficient irrigation methods reduce water consumption

Cotton field (c) 2017 Bremen Cotton Exchange

Cotton is produced in around 80 countries worldwide on an average of 33 million hectares, or 2.5 % of the world’s arable land. Cotton is one of the most important crops in the world, alongside cereals and soya beans. More than 250 million people around the world live from cotton farming.

Agriculture always leaves behind traces in the environment but many years ago, the cotton industry already started to keep these traces as minimal as possible. With success. So, does cotton consume a lot of water? The answer is no, because much has happened here.

No living creature can exist without water and plants also need water to grow.

Experts know that cotton is even a drought- and heat-tolerant crop. Only in the rearing phase does it need sufficient irrigation. In the growth and flowering phase, on the other hand, it needs little additional moisture and much sunlight. To produce foodstuffs and natural fibres, agriculture consumes about 70 per cent of the water available in the world. Of this, only about 3 per cent is used in cotton production.

Around 40 per cent of the cotton crop is grown without irrigation and relies entirely on natural rainfall. The demands on water requirements are, however, very varied. They are dependent on the region where the cotton is grown, the cultivation period, the prevailing climate, as well as the irrigation methods and production targets.

Moreover, in the case of artificial irrigation, which also offers farmer higher yields, water is now regarded as a precious commodity and is used selectively in many cotton growing countries. Intelligent water consumption uses computer-controlled irrigation systems, droplet irrigation in the ground or demand-dependent furrow irrigation. This avoids water losses due to evaporation. The soil moisture is preserved by low soil cultivation and mulching.

For example: Compared to the last 20 years, American cotton farmers have been able to increase the efficiency of water consumption by about 80 percent through artificial irrigation. Australia is reporting a productivity increase in water consumption of 40 percent. Israel is also seen as a pioneer of exemplary irrigation management. Drip irrigation methods were already being used here as early as the nineteen seventies. Approximately 75 percent of cotton farmers use clarified and reprocessed water from water storage and water consumption in cotton growing has been reduced by 30 percent.

Currently, agricultural researchers are working on the development of cotton seed for plants with increased drought tolerance which still meet the quality requirements of their customers.

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Fritz A. Grobien re-elected as President

The members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange have re-elected Fritz A. Grobien as President during the association’s 152nd General Assembly on June 18, 2026. The election confirms the organization’s commitment to maintaining its role as a leading international platform for the cotton and fiber industry amid a period of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

A Powerful Opening: Global thought leaders launch the International Cotton Conference Bremen

The International Cotton Conference Bremen will open on 25 March 2026 in the Parliament building of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen with a keynote session of exceptional calibre. Distinguished international experts will set the stage for the conference by offering incisive perspectives on the most pressing challenges and the defining trends shaping the future of the global cotton trade. Their insights will span a broad spectrum — from geopolitically driven disruptions affecting global supply chains to the opportunities emerging from innovation-led agriculture capable of supporting a growing world population. Together, these opening keynotes will frame the dialogue of the conference, highlighting both the complexity of today’s market environment and the pathways toward a resilient and forward-looking cotton sector.

Beyond Cotton: Natural Fibres in the Spotlight at the Bremen Cotton Conference - Branded by DNFI

Climate targets, fragile supply chains, and rising regulatory requirements are fundamentally changing the perspective of the textile industry - the focus is increasingly shifting toward the base material. Not only cotton, but natural fibres are gaining significant importance: they stand out not only because of their outstanding functional properties, but also because they make a valuable contribution to the bioeconomy and responsible product development.

ALLIED expands down traceability with lot-level carbon footprint data

ALLIED Feather + Down has expanded its TrackMyDown traceability platform to include validated cradle-to-gate carbon footprint data linked to individual down lots. The initiative is designed to provide brands and consumers with more detailed environmental information on the materials used in finished products and could also support future data requirements associated with Digital Product Passports.

ICAC’s 84th Plenary Meeting to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt

Registration will soon be open for the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s 84th Plenary Meeting, to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt. The local Organizing Committee in Egypt has chosen “Building a Resilient and Competitive Future for Cotton and Textiles” as the theme for the event, which will be held at the Rixos Montaza Alexandria Resort.

EFI and Agfa’s DPS Business to combine andform a global, full-service industrial inkjet company

Electronics for Imaging, Inc. (“EFI”), a leading industrial inkjet business and portfolio company of Siris, and Agfa-Gevaert (“Agfa”) today announced a definitive agreement to combine Agfa’s Digital Printing Solutions business (“Agfa DPS”) with EFI. An affiliate of Siris will hold a 60% interest and Agfa will hold a 40% interest in the jointly held company, which will bring together the operating capabilities of EFI and Agfa DPS under a governance structure whereby Siris and Agfa will act as equal partners.

KARL MAYER invites the Global Textile Industry to celebrate its 90th anniversary at its German Headquarters in 2027

KARL MAYER is turning its anniversary year 2027 into a milestone for the textile sector. To mark its 90th anniversary, the industry leader is inviting customers, partners, and experts from around the world to a unique event series in September aimed at pushing boundaries, unlocking new opportunities, and jointly setting the course for a new era in textiles – just as KARL MAYER has done throughout its history. The company’s headquarters in Obertshausen, near Frankfurt, is the place to be.

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.