[pageLogInLogOut]

#Raw Materials

Newest edition of the review asks: How well do you know your cottons?

It's almost certain that even many cotton professionals don't know all of the various 'identity cottons' that are for sale around the world, and that's understandable because there are a lot of them. To try to clear things up, the current issue of 'Cotton: Review of the World Situation' takes a look at some of the major players.

Executive Summary

Highlights from the current issue of the ‘Review’ include:

An update of the current cotton market

A wide-ranging look at the many types of branded sustainable cotton programmes from around the world: Argentina; Australia; BASF; Brazil; China; Cotton made in Africa; CottonConnect; Textile Exchange; and the USA


Many of them are branded and promoted by the countries producing the fibre:

  • Africa's Cotton made in Africa,
  • Argentina's Responsible Cotton,
  • Australia's myBMP,
  • Brazil's Responsible Cotton,
  • China's Sustainable Development, and
  • The USA's Cotton Trust Protocol.


The others are championed by businesses (BASF's e3; the CottonConnect programme) and nonprofits (Textile Exchange's Climate+ Strategy).


Although cotton is a natural fibre and inherently more sustainable than synthetic fibres like polyester, the ICAC estimates that only about 30% of the cotton fibre produced in the world is done so under sustainable conditions, so the efforts of these countries and organisations are going a long way toward addressing one of cotton's greatest challenges.

The opening article, 'A Rare Period of Stability in an Up-and-Down Year', highlights how a crazy, unpredictable season came to a quiet and steady close, with little changed in the final two months of the 2021/22 season.

To view this FREE, 31-page edition of ‘Cotton: Review of the World Situation’, please click here:

https://www.icac.org/Content/PublicationsPdf%20Files/5ca11d70_07a9_4e66_b5f3_747ded5290ce/Cotton-Review4-2022.pdf.pdf.pdf


More News from International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)

#Natural Fibers

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.

#Natural Fibers

Bangladesh becomes World's largest importer in 2024/25 after China cuts imports by 65% to 1.1 million tonnes

As we prepare to turn the calendar on 2025, world cotton lint production currently is estimated to be about 25.4 million tonnes — roughly the same as the last season — surpassing the world cotton lint consumption by 392,000 tonnes.

#Natural Fibers

ICAC announces postponement of the 83rd Plenary Meeting in Tanzania

Due to unforeseen circumstances arising from the recent developments in Tanzania, the ICAC has announced that its upcoming 83rd Plenary Meeting has been postponed. Scheduled for Nov. 17-20 in Mwanza, the delay was recommended by Tanzania, and the decision was made out of an abundance of caution, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants.

#Natural Fibers

World Cotton Trade declined 4.1% in 2024/25, according to ICAC's 2025 World Cotton Trade Report

Washington, DC — The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has released the 2025 World Cotton Trade Report, which covers trade developments in raw cotton since 1980. An annual publication, it provides analysis of world trade by region; import/export projections by country; matrices of trade flows; and seasonal estimates of export commitments to date.

More News on Raw Materials

#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

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.

#Natural Fibers

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen: Let´s Talk about Cotton!

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, to be held on 25-27 March 2026 in Bremen’s parliament building on market square, once again sends a powerful signal for professional excellence and international dialogue. The focus is on the latest market trends and technical innovations throughout the entire value chain – from agriculture and quality assurance to processing and the circular economy. With its high-calibre speakers, the conference remains an indispensable forum for anyone involved in shaping the cotton industry scientifically, technically, or economically.

#Natural Fibers

Human Rights Day: Cotton made in Africa reinforces its commitment to ensuring respect for human rights in cotton production

The sustainable cotton standard Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) has always focussed on respect for human rights, including by prohibiting child labour and discrimination. With the new version of the CmiA standard coming into force, AbTF raises requirements for due diligence in the areas of human rights and risk management.

Latest News

#Technical Textiles

Cinte Techtextil China 2026: redefining business encounters for trending sub-sectors and cutting-edge technologies

The essence of a good trade fair is to create chance encounters to deliver tangible business value to its participants. Driven to stay ahead, Cinte Techtextil China is constantly seeking fresh strategies to keep the industry attuned to emerging trends, pinpointing high-potential segments for technical textiles and nonwovens. With a new zone and upgraded fringe events introduced, the last edition saw an impressive 17% increase in visiting numbers[1], and this year’s fair is set to leverage that success from 1 to 3 September at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

#Spinning

Rieter completes acquisition of Barmag

Rieter has successfully completed the acquisition of Barmag as of February 2, 2026. This strategically important acquisition makes Rieter the world’s leading system provider for natural and synthetic fibers.

#Digital Printing

Epson launches SureColor G9000: high-production Direct-To-Film printer delivering greater productivity and reliability

Epson today announces the launch of the SureColor G9000, a new high-production Direct-To-Film (DTFilm) printer designed to meet growing global demand for flexible and efficient textile transfer printing. Expanding Epson’s DTFilm line-up alongside the SC-G6000, the SC-G9000 introduces enhanced speed, reliability and ease of maintenance for commercial garment decorators and textile producers.

#Nonwoven machines

Three ANDRITZ spunlace lines start operating at Alar Silk Road New Materials in China

Alar Silk Road New Materials and ANDRITZ have successfully commissioned three spunlace lines in crosslapped configuration at Alar’s facility in Aral City, Xinjiang, China.

TOP