[pageLogInLogOut]

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton joins Make the Label Count Coalition

Better Cotton is joining more than 50 natural fibre organisations and environmental groups in supporting calls for an urgent revision of the European Commission’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology.
© 2024 Photo credit: Make the Label Count
© 2024 Photo credit: Make the Label Count


Better Cotton has joined the Make the Label Count coalition to amplify calls for the European Commission to revise its method of calculating the environmental impact of textile fibres.

Hélène Bohyn, Policy & Advocacy Manager at Better Cotton, said: "Make the Label Count is an incredibly important movement. EU regulators are shaping the future of the fashion and textile sectors as we speak. The methodology they adopt will play the hugely important role of telling the story of sustainability progress across our industry and beyond, and will be critical to eradicating greenwashing".

Hélène Bohyn, Policy & Advocacy Manager at Better Cotton

Backed by more than 50 natural fibre organisations and environmental groups, Make the Label Count advocates for fair, transparent and credible sustainability information across the fashion and textile sectors. 

The coalition takes issue with the way in which the European Commission’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology currently calculates the impact of natural fibres compared to synthetic materials for apparel and footwear. In its current form, the PEF methodology deems a 100% polyester T-shirt to be 42% more sustainable than a 100% cotton t-shirt. 

The coalition has highlighted that this is because the PEF methodology currently fails to account for significant environmental impacts unique to synthetic fibres, including microplastic emissions, post-consumer plastic waste, and the fact such materials are not renewable. 

“We’ve had major advancements in research and knowledge around the environmental impacts of the textile industry, but these aren’t included in the current methodology,” explained Make The Label Count co-spokesperson Elke Hortmeyer, also from Bremen Cotton Exchange. “Current methodology does not adequately consider microplastic release, biodegradability nor renewability, which are the areas where natural fibres really shine.” 

Make the Label Count calls on the European Commission to amend the PEF methodology by integrating environmental indicators that would account for these three impact areas and ensure that the PEF methodology is truly representative of each fibre’s complete lifecycle and impact.



More News from Better Cotton

#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.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative marks certification anniversary with progress update and accreditation

One year since becoming a certification scheme, the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has announced that more than 3,000 supply chain actors have been certified. At farm level, more than 30% of farms and producer units supplying BCI Cotton have received a positive audit outcome.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative opens enrollment in the US with promising opportunities for producers

Producer enrollment for the US Program of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is open until May 15 for the 2026-2027 season. With over 2,600 members spanning the cotton supply chain and more than 11,000 users of its Better Cotton Platform (BCP) as of 2025, BCI’s standard is implemented in 15 countries and covers one fifth of global cotton production.

#Natural Fibers

Better Cotton Initiative partners with Uzbek government agency to offset certification costs

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has today announced a strategic agreement with Uzbekistan’s Light Industry Agency to increase financial support for cotton farming clusters adopting sustainable agricultural practices.

More News on Raw Materials

#Raw Materials

CSITC adds ABRAPA as a round trial sample provider

Beginning with the Q2 2026 Round Trials, the ICAC's Committee on the Commercial Standardization of Instrument Testing of Cotton has expanded its sample provision framework by adding the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (ABRAPA) as an official sample provider.

#Raw Materials

Dr N Vigneshwaran is named 2026 ICAC Researcher of the Year

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is pleased to announce the selection of Dr N Vigneshwaran, Principal Scientist and Head of the Chemical and Biochemical Processing Division at the ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT), Mumbai, India, as the ICAC Researcher of the Year 2026.

#Raw Materials

Global Cotton area and production are projected to decline in the 2026/27 Season

The June 2026 issue of Cotton This Month projects a modest contraction in global cotton area, production, and trade during the 2026/27 season, reflecting weaker demand sentiment, rising production costs, and shifting environmental factors across major producing nations.

#Raw Materials

New U.S. cotton study uses real-world grower data to reveal where fiber impacts occur

Cotton Incorporated has released a critically reviewed life cycle assessment (LCA) of U.S. cotton fiber production that examines how cotton’s environmental impacts are measured and where meaningful improvements can be made across the value chain. The new data, grounded in real‑world grower inputs, measures what drives U.S. cotton’s environmental footprint from field to gin.

Latest News

#ITM 2026

The future of textiles, the power of trade, and the summit of technology come together at ITM 2026

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious organizations in the textile technologies sector, opens its doors to visitors between June 9-13. Expected to break records in terms of both exhibitor and visitor numbers, as well as the technological vision it presents, ITM 2026 will transform into a global trade hub with machine sales, and new business collaborations.

#Nonwoven machines

ATCO Hygienics, Uzbekistan, orders baby diaper production line from ANDRITZ

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order from ATCO Hygienics to supply a new baby diaper production line for its plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The order is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the first quarter of 2026. Commissioning of the production line is scheduled for the end of 2026.

#Weaving

Itema manufactures the first Projectile Weaving Machines “Made in Italy” at its Colzate Headquarters.

Itema proudly announces an important industrial milestone: in early May, the first Itema projectile weaving machines manufactured in Italy were successfully produced at the Group’s headquarters in Colzate.

#Spinning

Nico Pedretti appointed as Managing Director Graf Group

As of June 1, 2026, Nico Pedretti has assumed the role of Managing Director Graf Group. With more than 20 years of international industrial experience and extensive expertise in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance and Controlling, he brings a broad range of leadership and business experience to support Graf’s continued success.

TOP