#Raw Materials

2022-07-21

Newest edition of the review asks: How well do you know your cottons?

It's almost certain that even many cotton professionals don't know all of the various 'identity cottons' that are for sale around the world, and that's understandable because there are a lot of them. To try to clear things up, the current issue of 'Cotton: Review of the World Situation' takes a look at some of the major players.

Executive Summary

Highlights from the current issue of the ‘Review’ include:

An update of the current cotton market

A wide-ranging look at the many types of branded sustainable cotton programmes from around the world: Argentina; Australia; BASF; Brazil; China; Cotton made in Africa; CottonConnect; Textile Exchange; and the USA

Many of them are branded and promoted by the countries producing the fibre:

Africa's Cotton made in Africa,

Argentina's Responsible Cotton,

Australia's myBMP,

Brazil's Responsible Cotton,

China's Sustainable Development, and

The USA's Cotton Trust Protocol.

The others are championed by businesses (BASF's e3; the CottonConnect programme) and nonprofits (Textile Exchange's Climate+ Strategy).

Although cotton is a natural fibre and inherently more sustainable than synthetic fibres like polyester, the ICAC estimates that only about 30% of the cotton fibre produced in the world is done so under sustainable conditions, so the efforts of these countries and organisations are going a long way toward addressing one of cotton's greatest challenges.

The opening article, 'A Rare Period of Stability in an Up-and-Down Year', highlights how a crazy, unpredictable season came to a quiet and steady close, with little changed in the final two months of the 2021/22 season.

To view this FREE, 31-page edition of ‘Cotton: Review of the World Situation’, please click here:

https://www.icac.org/Content/PublicationsPdf%20Files/5ca11d70_07a9_4e66_b5f3_747ded5290ce/Cotton-Review4-2022.pdf.pdf.pdf

Aid by Trade Foundation presents annual report for 2025: Market position and impact of sustainably verified natural fibres strengthened

Despite global supply chain challenges, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) was able to further expand its international role in promoting sustainably verified natural fibres in 2025. In doing so, the foundation remains true to its fundamental approach of leveraging market forces. Last year, it generated total revenues of EUR 7.8 million; this included EUR 6.7 million collected through the successful marketing of four standards: Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), CmiA Organic, The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), and the Regenerative Cotton Standard (RCS). AbTF invested the resulting income in projects aiming to protect biodiversity, support women, increase transparency in the textile supply chain, and implement its verification system.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues field trip brings international stakeholders closer to Brazil’s cotton production chain

How do you build trust across the global textile value chain? By opening the farm gates. This is the principle behind the Cotton Brazil Dialogues. At the end of July, the programme welcomed its first group of international participants for a five-day immersion into Brazilian cotton production, combining field visits with technical workshops to showcase the quality, sustainability, innovation and traceability behind one of the world’s leading cotton origins.

Kimberly-Clark develops alternative natural fiber platform for hygiene products

Kimberly-Clark has introduced a proprietary innovation program aimed at developing alternative natural fibers for future hygiene products. The company has created a patented materials platform based on fibers derived from hesperaloe, a drought-tolerant succulent native to the southwestern United States.

Indorama Ventures advances circularity tthrough PETValue Philippines' “Zero Waste to Landfill Partnership” with Republic Cement

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, is advancing the circular economy through a new Zero Waste to Landfill initiative at its recycling site PETValue Philippines, further demonstrating how collaboration across industries can maximize resource efficiency and reduce waste.

SAITEX reports efficiency gains and greater transparency in 2025 Impact Report

Vietnam-based denim manufacturer SAITEX has published its 2025 Impact Report, documenting progress in resource efficiency, chemical management, digital traceability and knowledge sharing across its manufacturing operations in Vietnam and the United States. Rather than focusing on sustainability ambitions, the report presents operational data, manufacturing developments and lessons learned from the past year.

Barmag presents metering pump solutions at ASE China

From September 15 to 17, 2026, Barmag’s Pumps Division will present its solutions for the precise delivery and metering of adhesives, sealants, and other high-viscosity media at ASE China at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. The focus of the exhibition will be on high-precision gear metering pumps that help plant managers sustainably optimize material usage, process stability, and product quality. (Booth E4235).

More patterns, less effort: the MULTI-MATIC® at Rohleder

Rohleder is one of Europe’s most modern weaving mills. For over 80 years, the family-owned company has been developing and manufacturing premium fabrics for brands, retailers and private customers – 100% Made in Germany. This success is made possible by a consistent focus on design, quality, and functionality, as well as by continuous investment in state-of-the-art production facilities. Rohleder also relies on innovative technologies in warp preparation and has been collaborating with KARL MAYER for many years. As recently as 2023, a MULTI-MATIC® was delivered to the company’s headquarters in Konradsreuth.

BASF opens global diaper and superabsorbents performance lab in Mumbai

BASF has officially inaugurated its new Performance Lab for diapers and superabsorbents (SAP) in Mumbai on August 18, 2026, which will provide technical and application services to superabsorbent customers globally. The new lab of BASF’s Hygiene Solutions business has been established in less than a year and is part of BASF’s Innovation Campus Asia Pacific in Mumbai, BASF’s second largest R&D site in Asia Pacific established in 2017 under BASF Chemicals India Private Limited.