#Raw Materials

2020-01-29

ICAC combines three reports into one massive, annual ‘Cotton Data Book’

Over the past 30 years, the technical information section of the ICAC has been publishing three major triennial reports: ‘Cotton Production Practices’, ‘Cost of Production of Raw Cotton’, and ‘Structure of Cotton Research, Input Supply & Transfer of Technology’.

Is an annual compilation of three reports that had previously been published once every three years

Will be published in December of each year

Sells for $250 less than the three reports combined sold separately in prior years

For the first time, those three publications have been compiled into a massive new cotton industry resource, ‘The 2020 Cotton Data Book.’ The 224-page digital book provides detailed data on the cotton industries of the top 38 countries and features more than 40 charts, tables and graphs to help illustrate the information.

Given the industry’s urgent need for up-to-date cotton data and statistics, the ICAC decided not only to combine the reports but to publish the information every year rather than once every three years. The Cotton Data Book will be released annually during the ICAC Plenary Meeting.

‘In this Internet age of rapid information sourcing, there is a great hunger for numbers — and data reports get outdated pretty fast’, said Dr Keshav Kranthi, Head of the ICAC’s Technical Information Section and primary author of the publication. ‘This is the main reason why the ICAC decided to merge all three triennial reports into one annual report’.

The new digital publication will not only provide more timely information but also offer significant cost savings. The 2020 ICAC Cotton Data Book is being sold for $500, representing a $250 savings over the cost of the three formerly triennial reports.

The Table of Contents for the Cotton Data Book can be found here.

To purchase a copy of the 2020 ICAC Cotton Data Book, please visit:

https://www.icac.org

ICAC to support European Commission on pending PEF legislation

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is proud to announce that it has been included as a member of the European Commission’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) on the Product Environmental Footprint methodology. The Commission developed the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) to assess and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products and organizations.

ICAC to collaborate with Uzbekistan and Bizpando on regenerative agriculture

The Government of Uzbekistan has allocated 55,000 hectares of land to implement a regenerative agriculture program for cotton as part of a collaborative project with the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) and Bizpando, a company with a a blockchain-based internet platform designed to ensure supply chain compliance.

Beyond the wardrobe – innovative cotton takes the spotlight

Cotton can do more – a lot more. Cutting-edge textiles and high-tech products made from 100% cotton prove just how powerfully performance and sustainability can come together. That very surge of innovation is front and centre at the 38th Bremen Cotton Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026, at Bremen’s Parliament on the historic market square – culminating in a bold and dedicated closing session on Friday. In the spotlight: performance upgrades for pure cotton, smart strategies for circular textile waste solutions, and pioneering concepts for demanding technical applications. From natural fibre–reinforced composites to highly effective flame-retardant solutions, cotton steps out of the closet and shows the future potential woven into every fibre.

Esquel Group adds two new extra-long staple cotton varieties approved

Esquel Group’s Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed two new Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) varieties named “Yuan Loong 37” and “Yuan Loong 42,” which have been officially approved and granted registration numbers. Both varieties have also obtained Plant Variety Rights certificates, marking another significant breakthrough for the Group in cotton breeding and commercial application.

Aid by Trade Foundation reaches new milestones in supply chain transparency

The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is reaching new milestones as it leads the way towards greater physical traceability for Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) cotton. With around 700 suppliers and producers in a total of 25 countries, the Aid by Trade Foundation has reached a new record number of partners who can trace CmiA cotton from the product back to its origin. This is more than double the previous year’s figure.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Barmag presents the next generation of POY production – energy-efficient and partial-automated

With POY 2.0, Barmag is introducing a completely redesigned spinning concept that takes the production of partially oriented yarn (POY) to a new level in terms of technology and economy. The solution, which was presented to a selected audience of experts for the first time at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025, was met with great enthusiasm: several yarn producers worldwide immediately expressed their interest in a pilot plant.

Textile‑to‑textile recycling leader Circulose joins Spinnova’s ecosystem to accelerate technology scale‑up

Textile‑to‑textile recycling leader Circulose joins Spinnova’s ecosystem (consortium) to help advance the scale‑up of Spinnova’s technology. Spinnova has actively sought partners to accelerate commercial scale‑up, and Circulose, as a key player in textile recycling, strengthens the ecosystem by providing a raw material that is in high demand across the industry.