[pageLogInLogOut]

#Raw Materials

U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol welcomes Sri Lankan Origin Global Apparel manufacturer Hela Clothing as a new member

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol welcomes global apparel manufacturer Hela Clothing, a provider of sustainability-focused supply chain solutions, as a new member. With facilities located in Sri Lanka, Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt, the company supplies products for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, VF Corporation (VFC), Michael Kors, Tesco, NEXT and more.

“At Hela Clothing, we have been committed to designing and manufacturing sustainable apparel for more than two decades,” said Sachith Balage, Group General Manager – Sourcing & Supply Chain of Hela Clothing. “Our membership with the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol will allow us to further advance our sustainable supply chain road map and demonstrate our leadership in ethical working environments to continue designing innovative apparel for our customers.” 


The Trust Protocol is a farm level, science-based program that sets a new standard in more sustainably grown cotton. It brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurements to sustainable cotton production as well as drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics: Land use, soil carbon, water management, soil loss, GHG emissions, and energy efficiency. Members will also be provided with full supply chain transparency through the Protocol Consumption Management Solution.

“We are pleased to welcome Hela Clothing to the Trust Protocol,” said Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “Members of the Trust Protocol receive the critical assurances they need to further prove to their customers that they are sourcing sustainably grown cotton with lower environmental and social risk. We look forward to working with Hela Clothing as they continue to develop their sustainability and transparency commitments.”



The Trust Protocol has welcomed more than 450 brand, retailer, mill and manufacturer members since its launch in 2020. This includes PVH Corp. and its iconic brands, Levi Strauss & Co. and its legacy brands, Gap Inc. and its collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands as well as global apparel manufacturer Gildan. The Trust Protocol has also welcomed UK retailers Tesco, Byford and Next Plc. Other Trust Protocol member announcements include the first 10 U.S. member mills and the first members in Latin America.

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and recognized by Textile Exchange and Forum for the Future, and it is also part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cotton 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge, Cotton 2040, and Cotton Up initiatives.

To learn more about the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol visit:

http://TrustUSCotton.org.



More News from TEXDATA International

#Texprocess 2026

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

#Techtextil 2026

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

#Techtextil 2026

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

#Texprocess 2026

Between investment restraint and modernization pressure

Texprocess 2026 takes place in a complex market environment shaped by uncertainty and innovation pressure. In this interview, Elgar Straub (VDMA) explains why the trade fair is particularly relevant this year and which technologies are driving efficiency and competitiveness.

More News on Raw Materials

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing commissions 14 MW power‑to‑heat facility, strengthening grid stability and heat management

The Lenzing Group has successfully commissioned a new power‑to‑heat (P2H) facility with an electrical capacity of 14 megawatts. The installation converts renewable electricity directly into process heat, is fully integrated into the existing heat network at the industrial site, and represents a key building block for a fossil‑free heat supply. As project partner, VERBUND was responsible for the energy‑market integration and will operate the facility for balancing energy marketing, enabling it to respond flexibly to short‑term fluctuations in the power grid.

#Raw Materials

Kraig Biocraft reaches next step in production growth

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company”, “Kraig Labs”, or “Kraig’s”), a world leader in spider silk technology*, today announced that it has produced more than 1.3 metric tons of recombinant spider silk cocoons in a single month. This is a new world record and shatters the Company’s previous production record by a factor of five. Today marks a pivotal step forward in the transition of spider silk from laboratory innovation to an industrial-scale material platform.

#Raw Materials

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative strengthens regenerative focus in standard update

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has strengthened the regenerative focus of its field-level standard with the launch of a new version of its Principles & Criteria (P&C), which marks the next step in the organisation’s journey to becoming a regenerative standards system.

Latest News

#Techtextil 2026

Speed and connectivity: Techtextil and Texprocess provided market-ready solutions for industries under pressure

With more than 36,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors from a total of 112 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 demonstrated how innovation comes into industrial use. The convergence of research, industry and application proved to be a breeding ground for new material solutions, manufacturing and processing technologies. Natural fibres, performance apparel, connected systems and AI-driven processing technologies emerged as key growth and future markets.

#INDEX 2026

Italian Textile Machinery heads to Geneva for Index 2026

An important delegation of Italian companies will exhibit at the upcoming INDEX 2026, the world’s leading event for the nonwovens sector, taking place from May 19 to 22 in Geneva (Switzerland). Numerous Italian exhibitors will be present within the Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT, an exhibition area of over 140 square meters dedicated to the latest innovations proposed by the Italian industry.

#Textile processing

Vivien Altmann-Morelli new Director of Texcare

As of May 1, 2026, Vivien Altmann-Morelli will take over as Director of Texcare International and the associated brand Textile Care & Cleaning Technologies. In addition, the Food Technologies brand will also fall under her responsibility.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Efficient recycling of textile PET

At the upcoming Plastics Recycling Show Europe in Amsterdam on May 5–6, BB Engineering will present its portfolio of PET recycling technologies. The German machinery manufacturer will once again focus on textile recycling and melt filtration.

TOP