Cotton Council International (CCI), recognizing the potential to develop the nonwovens market for high quality U.S. cotton–rich products, will exhibit at one of the most important nonwovens trade shows in Asia – Cinte Techtextil China. The show takes place from September 2-4, 2020, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre and CCI will exhibit at Hall E1, F02.
CCI will highlight how high quality U.S. cotton fiber can help nonwovens manufacturers and global brands and retailers verify that they are sourcing sustainably through the U.S. COTTON TRUST PROTOCOL program.
“To meet the ever-increasing demands for textile brands to demonstrate their credentials, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol sets a new standard for more sustainably grown cotton,” said Karin Malmstrom, Director, China & Northeast Asia. “Choosing Trust Protocol cotton will give brands and retailers the critical assurances they need that the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more sustainably grown with lower environmental and social risk.”
Brands and retailers can now join the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a new system for responsibly grown cotton providing annual data for six areas of sustainability in line with the U.N. Sustainability Goals. This year-over-year data, available for the first time, will allow brands and retailers to better measure progress towards meeting their corporate sustainability commitments.
In April, the Trust Protocol was added to Textile Exchange’s list of 36 preferred fibers and materials that more than 170 participating brands and retailers can select from as part of Textile Exchange’s Material Change Index program. In May, CCI also joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and will use the group’s sustainability measurement suite of tools, the Higg Index, to drive environmental and social responsibility throughout its supply chain.
“The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol conducted a global survey, which shows 54 percent of sustainability leaders at apparel and textile brands say they’ve seen their customers’ demands for environmentally sustainable practices and products increase since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Karin Malmstrom. “COVID-19 has caused economic challenges in the textile supply chain, but this survey shows that companies and their customers remain focused on sustainability. The Trust Protocol will be more important than ever as brands can have the data to show they are meeting their science-based sustainability targets.”
During the exhibition, CCI will showcase nonwovens products manufactured by COTTON USA™ licensees from China, Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong. The samples are made from 100% U.S. grown cotton, including a wide range of personal care products such as facial masks, cotton wipes/tissues and make-up remover pads.
Visitors to the booth can also learn about CCI’s collaboration with leading brands and retailers as well as see how becoming a COTTON USA™ licensee can benefit business. Quantitative consumer research proves the COTTON USA™ Mark is of high value to consumers and can drive both preference and higher prices.
“Sustainability and traceability combined with natural fiber is the future; U.S. cotton offers this – and more!” said Karin Malmstrom, Director, CCI, China and Northeast Asia. “High quality U.S. cotton offers genuine sustainability and combined with innovative technologies provides the nonwovens industry with even more business-boosting opportunities. At COTTON USA™, we aim to inspire the textile industry with new ideas and opportunities that meet growing customer expectations and propel businesses forward. We are excited to join CINTE to showcase a wide variety of high quality products made with U.S. cotton.”
For more details, please contact Eric Ni at eni@cotton.org.