[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 partners with Avalo in AI plant breeding for climate-resilient cotton

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has partnered with agriculture solutions company Avalo, whose platform accelerates the speed at which plants with key resiliency traits may be developed.

#Natural Fibers

Better Cotton Initiative multistakeholder event in US unpacks regenerative agriculture potential

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), in collaboration with Texas-based partner, Quarterway Cotton Growers, will expand upon its annual US field event to relay the vast potential of regenerative agriculture through an immersive experience of tours and demonstrations.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative welcomes new and returning Council members

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has confirmed a series of appointments and reappointments to its Council, the multistakeholder board responsible for BCI’s strategic direction.

#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.

More News on Raw Materials

#Raw Materials

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

#Raw Materials

ICAC International Seminar in Taipei to explore strategic synergies across the textile supply chain

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) — together with the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF), under the guidance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan — will bring international cotton and textile leaders together in Taipei on September 10 for the ICAC International Seminar 2026.

#Raw Materials

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.

#Raw Materials

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.

Latest News

#Man-Made Fibers

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

#Natural Fibers

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.

#Man-Made Fibers

Bemberg and Anita Dongre collaborate once again to launch “BREATH” collection

BembergTM and Anita Dongre present BREATH, a ready to wear collection of 18 key silhouettes, shaped by a common belief that true beauty is inseparable from caring for the environment.

#Weaving

"Dynamic markets do not only create uncertainty – they also create opportunities."

Volatile markets, increasingly complex materials and growing demands for flexibility are changing the weaving industry. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging in technical textiles, filtration, composites and many other specialised applications. Since taking over as Head of DORNIER's Weaving Machines Product Line at the beginning of 2026, Yvonne Schuberth has been helping to shape this development. In this interview with TexData, she explains why process stability and customer proximity remain the foundation of innovation, how digitalisation is transforming weaving mills, and why she believes the future belongs to technologically demanding applications.

TOP