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#Raw Materials

Official approval granted for Esquel Group’s new Sea Island Cotton variety "Yuan Loong 30"

Esquel Group Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed a new self-bred Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) variety named "Yuan Loong 30," which has been officially approved and designated by the 11th Main Crop Variety Assessment Committee of Xinjiang. With this addition, Esquel has now successfully bred and named a total of six Sea Island cotton varieties, including "Xinhai 33", "Xinhai 50", "Xinhai 55", "Xinhai 63", "Yuan Loong 17" and "Yuan Loong 30".
Cotton
Cotton "Yuan Loong 30" © 2025 Esquel


The breeding process of "Yuan Loong 30" spanned over a decade, undergoing one year of variety comparison trials, two years of regional trials, and one year of production testing. Notably, this variety is the first ELS cotton variety from Esquel to receive both official approval and plant variety rights—a significant breakthrough in cotton breeding. 

"Yuan Loong 30" demonstrates exceptional characteristics, featuring vigorous growth and high yield with good disease resistance, achieving over 16% increase in yield. It also boasts high lint percentage and excellent fiber quality, which not only enhances production efficiency but also effectively meets the demands for high-quality yarn production. 

Premium ELS cotton serves as a cornerstone of Esquel’s vertically integrated supply chain. The successful approval of its sixth new variety provides essential raw material support for building an advanced textile industry chain. This further aids in the development of high-count combed yarns, premium functional fabrics, and luxury garment series, enhancing product value and market competitiveness. These breeding breakthroughs also inject strong momentum into the transformation and upgrading of Xinjiang’s ELS cotton industry, promoting high-quality and sustainable development of China’s cotton and textile industries.



More News from Esquel Group.

#Raw Materials

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.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

HKUST & Esquel unveil five-year study: Empowering students for sustainable innovation

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (“HKUST”) has partnered with Esquel Enterprises Limited (“Esquel Group”) to launch a five-year study program that allows HKUST students to conduct biannual field research at the textile manufacturer’s 500,000-square-meter Sustainable Development Garden Integral, recognized as one of China’s top 20 sustainable development projects by the United Nations.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Esquel and China Recycling Group sign strategic cooperation agreement

On April 23, 2025, Guangdong Esquel and China Recycling Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Wuxi, Jiangsu. The partnership aims to promote the recycling and reuse of waste textiles, supporting China’s carbon neutrality goals.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Integral highlights sustainable innovation at GREENEXT EXPO

Integral, the sustainable development garden of Esquel Group, a leading global knowledge-based innovation company, participated in the prestigious “GREENEXT EXPO” in Shanghai, unveiling its innovative achievements in sustainable development. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)’s advocacy of ESG principles, the event brought together industry leaders to explore the future of sustainable development and ESG practices.

More News on Raw Materials

#Recycling / Circular Economy

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

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, is advancing the circular economy through a new Zero Waste to Landfill initiative at its recycling site PETValue Philippines, further demonstrating how collaboration across industries can maximize resource efficiency and reduce waste.

#Natural Fibers

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

The International Cotton Advisory Committee has released the 2026 World Cotton Trade Report, which provides analysis of global cotton trade patterns, key trading relationships, import and export trends, and the geopolitical and policy developments shaping cotton trade flows.

#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.

#Sustainability

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

Crucial new data to better understand, measure, and address the impacts of cashmere production has been made available to the fashion, textile, and apparel industry through a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) published by Textile Exchange.

Latest News

#ITMA 2027

ITMA 2027 receives strong industry response

ITMA 2027 has unveiled its sector plan, marking progress towards the 2027 edition as planning continues ahead of the show. The ITMA 2027 sector plan covers 12 halls at the Messegelände Hannover venue, spanning over 180,000 square metres, and features 20 sectors of the textile and garment making processes, from spinning to finishing, software and automation, recycling, and fibres, yarns and fabrics.

#Heimtextil 2027

Heimtextil expands Bed, Bath & Living with new ‘Comfort & Connect’ area

Heimtextil is expanding its product range for Bed, Bath & Living in a targeted manner: ‘Comfort & Connect‘ is creating a new meeting place in the foyer of Hall 5.1 for high-quality bed, bath and lifestyle collections. Following on from ‘Sleep & Meet‘, this is now the second area where Heimtextil is further refining its offering for exhibitors and buyers. The new area brings together established brands, high-profile returning exhibitors and international buyers in a central location with easy access.

#Associations

Business situation weakens slightly, but the industry stays cautiously optimistic

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published the results of its 39th Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 14 to 22 July 2026 among companies along the entire global textile value chain. Worldwide, 10% of participants rated their business situation as good, 53% as satisfactory and 37% as bad — a balance of -26pp, down from -17pp in May but still well above the 2023 lows. All regions are now in negative territory, from South Asia at -3pp to North & Central America at -58pp.

#Man-Made Fibers

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

NatureWorks Asia Pacific Limited welcomed a high-level delegation led by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, to its manufacturing site at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC). The visit follows the successful inauguration of the site on April 29, 2026, and highlights the role of public-private collaboration in advancing Thailand’s sustainable industrial development and bioeconomy ambitions.

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