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#Raw Materials

Which cotton merchants and mills are sourcing the largest volumes of ‘better cotton’?

As demand for Better Cotton – cotton grown by licensed BCI Farmers in line with the Better Cotton Principles and Criteria – increases, more and more organisations throughout the cotton supply chain are joining the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and supporting increased uptake of Better Cotton*. Earlier in the year, we announced the BCI Retailer and Brand Members that sourced the largest volumes of cotton as Better Cotton in 2018. Now we are launching the Cotton Merchants and Mills Leaderboard.

The Merchants and Mills Leaderboard highlights the top 20 cotton merchants and top 50 mills, based on volumes of cotton sourced as Better Cotton. Access the 2018 Better Cotton Leaderboard.

Cotton merchants and mills are supporting the transformation of the cotton sector by joining BCI and sourcing increased volumes of Better Cotton for BCI Retailer and Brand Members – forming a critical link between Better Cotton supply and demand.

“Market demand for more sustainable cotton has dramatically increased over the years. It began with a few retailers sourcing more sustainable cotton in limited quantities for small collections. Over time, retailers have grown their collections and implemented overarching sustainable sourcing targets which has increased the volumes of more sustainable cotton sourced, including Better Cotton. We see this demand increasing further over the next 5 to 10 years.” – Osman Ustundag, Cotton Purchasing Manager at Kipa? Holding, a BCI Member since 2011.

Increased sourcing of Better Cotton generates essential funding for farmer training and support. This is in turn driving more sustainable practices in cotton production, making it better for the people who produce it and the environment it grows in.

BCI has a goal to train five million cotton farmers on more sustainable practices by 2020. Find out more in the BCI 2018 Annual Report:

http://stories.bettercotton.com/2018-AnnualReport/index.html

“With the creation of BCI in 2009, a holistic and pragmatic approach for farmers to embed sustainable farming practices was launched. Better Cotton addressed the gap that existed between retailers’ sustainable sourcing targets and market supply of more sustainably produced cotton. Using innovative models such as mass-balance during sourcing, the market now has access to a large and growing supply base to procure from.” – Amit Shah, CEO and Founding Director at Spectrum International, a BCI Member since 2013. Amit Shah also holds the position of Treasurer on the BCI Council.

Find out which merchants and mills sourced the largest volumes of cotton as Better Cotton in the 2018 Better Cotton Leaderboard.

https://bettercotton.org/better-cotton-leaderboard-2018/

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#ITM 2026

ITM 2026: The new geography of textile production

New production hubs are emerging across North Africa and Central Asia, while Türkiye is accelerating its transformation toward higher-value, technology-driven and more sustainable textile manufacturing.

#Research & Development

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

#Knitting & Hosiery

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

#Associations

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

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#Natural Fibers

Better Cotton Initiative partners with FarmRaise to simplify data management for US cotton growers

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has announced a partnership with agricultural technology company FarmRaise to simplify data collection, reporting and program participation for cotton growers in the United States. The digital platform will help farmers manage certification requirements, document agricultural practices and track progress towards regenerative agriculture goals while reducing administrative work. The solution is scheduled to become available in January 2027.

#Nonwovens

Lenzing invests EUR 27 million in US facility to expand specialty fibers for nonwovens

The Lenzing Group is investing EUR 27 million (USD 31 million) to expand specialty fiber production capabilities at its lyocell fiber site in Mobile, Alabama, USA. The investment forms part of the company’s “Grow NW. Reset TX.” strategy and will strengthen its global Nonwovens business, with a particular focus on short-cut fibers and customized wood-based solutions for specialty applications.

#Raw Materials

Global cotton consumption to exceed production in 2026/27 as Asian demand remains resilient

Global cotton consumption is projected to exceed production in the 2026/27 season as output declines across several major producing countries while demand remains relatively stable, according to the November edition of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

#Natural Fibers

ICAC announces 84th Plenary Meeting in Egypt with focus on cotton industry resilience

Registration is now open for the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s 84th Plenary Meeting, which will take place from 24 to 26 March 2027 in Alexandria, Egypt. The conference will address climate resilience, technological developments, sustainability and competitiveness across the global cotton and textile value chain.

Latest News

#Textile processing

YKK Bangladesh celebrates 25 years of fastening production and business development

YKK Bangladesh Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Japanese fastening manufacturer YKK Corporation, has celebrated its 25th anniversary with a commemorative ceremony in Dhaka on November 8, 2026. Since its establishment in November 2000, the company has expanded its manufacturing capacity and business operations alongside the growth of Bangladesh's apparel industry.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Murata Machinery to showcase AIcone winding and high-speed VORTEX spinning at ITMA ASIA 2026

Japanese textile machinery manufacturer Murata Machinery will present its PROCESS CONER AIcone automatic winder and VORTEX 870 EX spinning machine at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026. Under the theme “Right Choice, Bright Future”, the company will highlight technologies for efficient yarn manufacturing, combining energy-saving winding solutions with high-speed air-jet spinning. Visitors can meet Murata Machinery in Hall 5, Booths E01 and E02.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

DORNIER highlights airbag, filtration and composite weaving technologies at ITMA ASIA 2026

Lindauer DORNIER will present its latest developments in air-jet and rapier weaving technology for technical textiles at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026. The German machinery manufacturer will focus on the reliable and efficient production of airbag fabrics, high-density filters and reinforcement textiles for fibre-reinforced composites. Alongside its A2 air-jet and P2 rapier weaving machines, DORNIER will highlight its TRITOS FLEX technology for complex 3D composite preforms, retrofit solutions and expanded service capabilities in Asia. The company will exhibit in Hall 3, Stand E02.

#Retail & Brands

Marks & Spencer expands across Asia Pacific through partnership with Global Fashion Group

Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Global Fashion Group (GFG) have announced a strategic partnership to expand the British retailer's fashion business across Asia Pacific. M&S has launched on Southeast Asian fashion platform ZALORA and plans to enter THE ICONIC in Australia and New Zealand in early 2027. The agreement also introduces regional fulfilment for Australian M&S.com orders, enabling faster deliveries and returns while supporting a capital-light international growth strategy.

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