Cotton news and archive

New LCA details environmental impact of US cotton production

A new life cycle assessment (LCA) of US cotton fibre production has been released, providing updated data on environmental impacts across the early stages of the cotton supply chain. The study was commissioned by Cotton Incorporated and independently reviewed in line with ISO standards. It assesses cradle-to-gate impacts based on primary...

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What rising energy prices mean for fashion, retail and manufacturing

Oil markets have surged to multi-year highs as tensions between the US and Iran intensify, with Brent crude climbing above 120 dollars per barrel. According to Bloomberg, prices briefly spiked by more than 7 percent to over 126 dollars amid fears of prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit...

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Fashion |Interview

"It always comes down to price:" Liz Hershfield on the real barriers to US cotton

There are countless sustainability initiatives across the global fashion industry, but who is truly driving that transition? Are their efforts visible to the public or not? In this series, we interview changemakers, consultants, sustainability experts, and activists in fashion to see what we can learn from their work. In this edition of...

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Under Armour joins US Cotton Trust Protocol

Under Armour has joined the US Cotton Trust Protocol, taking a step forward in efforts to improve transparency and responsibility in cotton sourcing. Through the membership, the sportswear brand will gain access to verified, field-level data on key environmental metrics, including water use, greenhouse gas emissions, soil health and land use....

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Walmart joins US Cotton Trust Protocol, further advancing sustainable cotton sourcing

Retail giant Walmart has joined the US Cotton Trust Protocol, in a move that represents a significant step for the retail sector, expanding the reach of responsible cotton sourcing while reinforcing the company’s commitment to regenerative practices and greater supply chain transparency. Through its participation in the Trust Protocol, Walmart...

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Fashion

Etsy bans animal fur as industry sentiments continue to shift

Etsy is set to ban the sale of all animal fur from August 2026, following a 50-plus-day protest campaign by the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT). The global online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods has updated its Animal Products Policy as part of its broader shift in its sustainability pillars and confirmed the changes in a...

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Textile Exchange introduces first LCA study on cotton's environmental impact

Textile Exchange has released the first in a new series of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies, aimed at improving the quality and consistency of environmental impact data across the fashion and textile industry. The initial report focuses on cotton, providing updated data across key producing countries and covering a range of systems including...

Culture

Exhibition: “The art of trademark in Indo-British textile trade” sheds light on the forgotten art of textile labels

The first thing you notice is the heat; it is all around, almost palpable. Then there are the sounds, deafening, each vendor trying to shout louder than the next. “Madam, here, here, Kashmiri silk, you won’t find anywhere.” “Come to my stall, please, I will show you the widest range.” Then there are the smells of course, some pleasant like the...

Fashion

H&M Foundation announces Global Change Award 2026 finalists

The H&M Foundation has announced its top 20 finalists for the 2026 Global Change Award (GCA). Selected from 450 ideas submitted from 81 countries across six continents, the innovations from the 20 early-stage finalists are set to be reviewed by the GCA Expert Panel together with the H&M Foundation team. From the 20 finalists, the panel and team...

Fashion

Marks & Spencer launches cotton programme in bid to strengthen biodiverse farming practices

British department store Marks & Spencer has established a new partnership with sustainability innovator Pilio to launch the Affordable Clean Environment (ACE) cotton programme. The initiative intends to broaden access to clean energy and strengthen biodiverse farming practices within Indian cotton-growing communities. Developed as part of Marks...

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Better Cotton Initiative opens producer enrollment in the US

Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), the world’s largest cotton sustainability initiative, has announced the opening of producer enrollment in the United States, until May 15, for the 2026-2027 season. US producers of cotton interested in working with BCI can complete a brief Producer & Program Partner Interest Survey online. What sets the BCI apart...

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China eases tariffs on certain textile and leather products

The Chinese government has introduced a reduction to tariffs on certain raw materials, including strategic inputs for textiles and leather, as it looks to bolster its position as a key sourcing hub. The new plan, which came into effect January 1, 2026, was approved by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council and published by China’s...