#Raw Materials

2019-03-21

‘Cotton: Review of the world situation’ tackles policy, tariffs, innovation and zimbabwe’s cotton sector

The March 2019 ‘Cotton: Review of the World Situation’ addresses four areas of significant interest to the global cotton community, including an analysis of the 2018 US Farm Bill on cotton support, the impact of global tariffs on cotton trade, the latest innovations in cotton and textiles, and an overview of Zimbabwe’s cotton sector.

US Farm Bill: The 2018 Farm Bill marks a significant change in cotton farm policies, from mostly insurance programs to a guaranteed and enhanced safety net and payments based on reference price, similar to the counter-cyclical payments that were in effect under the 2008 Farm Bill. This change will mean a significant increase in support to upland cotton production.

Trade tariffs: Talks between the USA and China are ongoing but there is little consensus on how things are expected to end. World cotton trade is expected to expand by 3.5% in 2018/19. China — one of the world’s top importers — is looking for new markets to source from, while the USA — the world’s largest exporter — is looking for new markets for its fibre. Major trade flows between origins and destinations might be shifting, but overall trade is expected to increase.

Cotton and textile innovation: Many of the new developments introduced by Cotton Incorporated’s Product Development Department revolve around sustainability and performance, because those characteristics are major drivers in the textile space — and are likely to remain front and centre of decision-making for a while.

Zimbabwe’s cotton sector: Cotton is the country’s second most important agricultural export, after tobacco, and the crop supports more than 300,000 farmers — many of them in low-rainfall areas where very few other crops could grow.

ICAC to support European Commission on pending PEF legislation

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is proud to announce that it has been included as a member of the European Commission’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) on the Product Environmental Footprint methodology. The Commission developed the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) to assess and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products and organizations.

ICAC to collaborate with Uzbekistan and Bizpando on regenerative agriculture

The Government of Uzbekistan has allocated 55,000 hectares of land to implement a regenerative agriculture program for cotton as part of a collaborative project with the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) and Bizpando, a company with a a blockchain-based internet platform designed to ensure supply chain compliance.

Beyond the wardrobe – innovative cotton takes the spotlight

Cotton can do more – a lot more. Cutting-edge textiles and high-tech products made from 100% cotton prove just how powerfully performance and sustainability can come together. That very surge of innovation is front and centre at the 38th Bremen Cotton Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026, at Bremen’s Parliament on the historic market square – culminating in a bold and dedicated closing session on Friday. In the spotlight: performance upgrades for pure cotton, smart strategies for circular textile waste solutions, and pioneering concepts for demanding technical applications. From natural fibre–reinforced composites to highly effective flame-retardant solutions, cotton steps out of the closet and shows the future potential woven into every fibre.

Esquel Group adds two new extra-long staple cotton varieties approved

Esquel Group’s Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed two new Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) varieties named “Yuan Loong 37” and “Yuan Loong 42,” which have been officially approved and granted registration numbers. Both varieties have also obtained Plant Variety Rights certificates, marking another significant breakthrough for the Group in cotton breeding and commercial application.

Aid by Trade Foundation reaches new milestones in supply chain transparency

The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is reaching new milestones as it leads the way towards greater physical traceability for Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) cotton. With around 700 suppliers and producers in a total of 25 countries, the Aid by Trade Foundation has reached a new record number of partners who can trace CmiA cotton from the product back to its origin. This is more than double the previous year’s figure.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Barmag presents the next generation of POY production – energy-efficient and partial-automated

With POY 2.0, Barmag is introducing a completely redesigned spinning concept that takes the production of partially oriented yarn (POY) to a new level in terms of technology and economy. The solution, which was presented to a selected audience of experts for the first time at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025, was met with great enthusiasm: several yarn producers worldwide immediately expressed their interest in a pilot plant.

Textile‑to‑textile recycling leader Circulose joins Spinnova’s ecosystem to accelerate technology scale‑up

Textile‑to‑textile recycling leader Circulose joins Spinnova’s ecosystem (consortium) to help advance the scale‑up of Spinnova’s technology. Spinnova has actively sought partners to accelerate commercial scale‑up, and Circulose, as a key player in textile recycling, strengthens the ecosystem by providing a raw material that is in high demand across the industry.