[pageLogInLogOut]

#Natural Fibers

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

Photo credit: Better Cotton Initiative. Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 2025. Jannis Bellinghausen, Senior Director of Systems Integrity at the Better Cotton Initiative (left) and Nozim Kholmuradov, Director at the Light Industry Agency (right).
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.

The agency, established this year by the Uzbek government to drive improvements in the country’s textile sector, will manage a new fund to reimburse the cost of farm and supply chain-level certification against BCI standards, in order to incentivise compliance. 

Katerina Gorbunova, head of the Better Cotton Initiative’s Uzbekistan programme, said: “Our continued engagement with the Government of Uzbekistan and its entities is testament to their collaborative spirit and commitment to transforming the country’s cotton sector. The cost of certification can be a barrier to entry not only for cotton clusters in Uzbekistan but farms around the world, so the launch of this fund will be pivotal to accelerating sustainability efforts.” 

The agreement updates the roadmap BCI signed last year with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Textile and Garment Industry Association (Uztekstilprom). It represents a transition from planning to operationalising sustainability systems via programme financing, institutional roles, and policy incentives within national structures. 

Nozim Kholmuradov, Director at the Light Industry Agency, said: “Our strategic focus is to boost cotton-producing enterprises’ income and grow the number of Uzbekistan companies positioned to compete confidently on the global textile stage. A close partnership with the Better Cotton Initiative will be essential to reaching this ambition.” 

The collaboration was announced at BCI’s annual multistakeholder meeting in the Uzbekistan capital, Tashkent. The event convened cotton producers, government representatives, civil society, knowledge partners, donors, brands, and retailers to discuss challenges and opportunities in both field and market, from strengthening social due diligence to championing regenerative practices. 

Among the participants were government ministers, BCI staff, and representatives from the National Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Decent Work, the International Labour Organization, the Cotton Campaign, Food & Agriculture Organization, and Uztekstilprom.



More News from Better Cotton

#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 surpasses 50% traceable BCI Cotton milestone

Two years since the launch of its traceability solution, the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has announced that over 50% of BCI Cotton volumes entering global fashion and textile supply chains are now traceable, deriving from 15 countries.

#Natural Fibers

BCI warns against ‘dangerous dilution’ of EU corporate directives

The approval of the European Commission’s Omnibus I proposal by the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs, accepting controversial changes to key sustainability directives is of great concern. These changes, namely to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), threaten to significantly dilute business reporting and due diligence obligations.

More News on Natural Fibers

#Spinning

Perfect quality through collaboration: Machinery from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata at Zirve Tekstil

In today’s textile industry, excellence is not achieved by chance – it’s the result of deliberate decisions, technical expertise, and the courage to go beyond conventional paths. The Turkish company Zirve Tekstil has done just that: by combining the best technologies from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata, they’ve created a production setup that delivers outstanding yarn quality – recognized worldwide.

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.

#Raw Materials

Cotton Incorporated appoints Bev Sylvester as Chief Marketing Officer

Cotton Incorporated announces the appointment of Bev Sylvester as chief marketing officer. In this newly created role, Sylvester will oversee Cotton Incorporated’s marketing strategy, brand positioning, consumer engagement and global outreach to increase demand for cotton and strengthen its relevance in the marketplace.

#Composites

Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp expands bio-materials presence at JEC World 2026

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp is pleased to announce its participation at JEC World 2026, featuring a significantly expanded presence and an enhanced offering for the global composites industry.

Latest News

#Knitting & Hosiery

The new RE 6 EL from KARL MAYER shows what it can do

KARL MAYER’s new RE 6 EL from KARL MAYER brings a breath of fresh air to raschel fabric production. The latest samples from the textile product development department of this innovative textile machine manufacturer demonstrate the extensive design possibilities on offer.

#Research & Development

Testing and research laboratory ensures safe and more sustainable products worldwide

For 80 years, Hohenstein has stood for independent testing, scientific expertise and practical solutions. Today, the testing and research service provider supports manufacturers and brands worldwide in making textiles, hardlines and medical devices safe, more sustainable and market-ready – thereby building trust among consumers. With an international presence and interdisciplinary expertise, Hohenstein supports its customers from production through to market launch, helping them navigate an environment of growing regulatory and societal demands.

#Associations

Engineering depth and diversity for composites

Airbond is the latest member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) to receive recognition for contributions to the composites industry. The engineering firm based in Pontypool, South Wales, has just received the Make UK Energy and Sustainability Award for its Lattice 3D Printing project.

#Research & Development

Award-winning research for sustainable carbon fibre cycles

Sustainable recycling of carbon fibres is possible through targeted electrochemical surface modification, which makes the sizing of carbon fibres resistant to solvolysis. ITA PhD student Sabina Dann was awarded the MSW Award from RWTH Aachen University for her master's thesis on this development. The award ceremony took place on 12 November 2025 in Aachen.

TOP