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#Raw Materials

Better Cotton renews Standard Recognition Agreement in Brazil

Better Cotton has announced the renewal of its standard recognition agreement with ABRAPA, the Brazilian Cotton Growers’ Association.
Cotton flower at Samambaia Farm, GMS Group, Luziania District, Goias, Brazi © 2025 Better Cotton / Carlos Rudiney
Cotton flower at Samambaia Farm, GMS Group, Luziania District, Goias, Brazi © 2025 Better Cotton / Carlos Rudiney

The agreement comes into effect retroactively from October 2024 to October 2025 and will automatically renew for an additional three years should all requirements be met. 

Since 2014, ABRAPA’s Responsible Brazilian Cotton (ABR) Programme has been recognised as equivalent to the Better Cotton Standards System (BCSS), enabling domestic farmers to sell their cotton as ‘Better Cotton’ in national and international markets. 

In the 2023/24 cotton season, the 440 Brazilian farms who were awarded ABR certification produced more than three million metric tonnes of Better Cotton. This means that ABR/Better Cotton-certified cotton represents more than 83% of Brazil’s total cotton production. 

Better Cotton requires Strategic Partners to periodically reassess and, where necessary, realign their standards with the BCSS to maintain standard equivalence. This ensures that both standards evolve to continually support cotton farmers in meeting market demand for more sustainable cotton.?? 

The new standard recognition agreement reflects a continued alignment of the Better Cotton Standards System and the ABR Programme.




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#Natural Fibers

Better Cotton Initiative multistakeholder event in US unpacks regenerative agriculture potential

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#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

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#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative marks certification anniversary with progress update and accreditation

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#Recycling / Circular Economy

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

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#Natural Fibers

2026 ICAC report projects World cotton trade to reach 10.3 million tonnes by 2028/29

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#Sustainability

The first widely accessible Life Cycle Assessment study for cashmere production published by Textile Exchange.

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#Natural Fibers

"Review" examines the outlooks for seven major cotton producers

The newest issue of Cotton: Review of the World Situation provides an in-depth look at how seven important cotton-producing countries are responding to changing markets, rising production costs, climate pressures, evolving technologies, and growing demands for quality and sustainability.

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#Man-Made Fibers

Ministry of Industry Delegation visits NatureWorks’ second global manufacturing site at Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex

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#Associations

IVGT membership: expertise that pays off

For energy-intensive textile companies, government compensation mechanisms are an important economic factor. The IVGT successfully supports its member companies in applying for state aid and thereby regularly contributes to significant financial relief.

#Research & Development

Networking Day 2026: Industry stakeholders unite around textile recycling

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#Knitting & Hosiery

The new RDJ 7/3 defines the design footprint of modern athletic shoes

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