Category: Sustainability

Join us for the latest CottonWorks™ webinar, Why Digital Materials Matter to Fashion’s Future.

Microplastic pollution is a growing environmental concern that is attracting researchers to understand the impact to human health.

Cotton Incorporated is excited to return to Expo West, proudly sponsoring the product showcase for the third time. This year’s event will take place from March 4th-7th, 2025, at the Anaheim Convention Center, gathering retailers and suppliers from across the...

Cotton benchmarks were either flat or slightly lower over the past month.

Policy-related uncertainty may be a factor clouding the outlook, but recent data describing the U.S. economy show that the labor market, consumer spending, and GDP growth were healthy coming into the start of 2025.

The Federal Reserve decided to decrease interest rates by a quarter of a point after its meeting on December 18th. This rate cut was widely anticipated by markets. Markets may not have been expecting details released in comments following the meeting that indicated only two cuts were now forecast for 2025. This is less than the four cuts that officials had hinted at previously.

Movement in cotton benchmarks was mixed, with some values flat, decreasing, or rising over the past month.

If you are a qualified industry professional, follow these steps to register for a textile education workshop.

The days around Thanksgiving are traditionally rank among the busiest of the year for U.S. retailers. This year, Thanksgiving (celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November) was later than usual, which means there are fewer days for shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas (five fewer days between the holidays this year than there were last year).

The 2024 Cotton Sustainability Summit, hosted by Cotton Incorporated in La Jolla, CA, brought together sustainability leaders from major fashion brands and retailers for engaging panel discussions and thought-provoking conversations on critical sustainability topics.

Join us for the latest CottonWorks™ webinar, Why Digital Materials Matter to Fashion’s Future.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released updated economic forecasts in late October. Global GDP (inflation-adjusted) is predicted to expand 3.2% in 2025. This suggests a growth environment similar to what was experienced in 2023 and 2024 (3.3% in 2023 and a forecast of 3.2% for 2024).

Join us for the latest CottonWorks™️ webinar, Unlocking the Potential of Natural Dyes for Cotton, and explore the rich history, evolution, and modern applications of natural dyes in cotton textiles.

Cotton benchmarks were flat or higher over the past month.

The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by half a percentage point last month. The decrease represented a policy reversal, ending the cycle of rate increases that began in March 2022. During that period, the Fed lifted rates from effectively zero to levels over five percent. This was the steepest set of rate increases since the 1980s.

Cotton benchmarks were flat or higher over the past month.

Sustainability is a complex issue for both brands and cotton producers. From reporting and meeting climate goals to staying ahead of the latest sustainability innovations, these challenges continue to shape the landscape of cotton production.

As Cotton Incorporated continues to explore innovative ways to drive sustainability in the textile industry, we remain committed to advancing practices that reduce environmental impact and promote a circular economy.

The Cotton in Commerce™ campaign connects buyers to cotton brands.

The Federal Reserve appears poised to decrease interest rates after its meeting September 17-18th. While a cut is widely anticipated, it remains unknown how aggressive the rate decrease will be. A gradual approach would suggest a quarter percentage point reduction. A stronger move could involve a decline of half a percentage point.

The denim market is projected to grow, with its value estimated to rise from $18.3 billion in 2023 to $21.5 billion by 2028.

BÉIS, the brand synonymous with stylish and functional travel gear, is once again making waves with the launch of two new collections.

All cotton benchmarks decreased over the past month.

Financial markets were rocked by volatility in recent trading. A selloff in technology stocks was a factor. Concern about the strength of the U.S. economy following the release of the latest employment data may have also been a contributor.

The denim market is projected to grow, with its value estimated to rise from $18.3 billion in 2023 to $21.5 billion by 2028.

As families prepare for the back-to-school season, a recent consumer survey from Cotton Incorporated's Lifestyle Monitor sheds light on the preferences of parents and students when it comes to back-to-school shopping.

One often overlooked contributor is the apparel industry, which annually releases a staggering 8.3 million tons of plastic into the environment

Movement in benchmark prices was mixed over the past month.

Cotton debuts Baby Care, Parents Prefer Cotton Collection at ECRM 2024

This webinar explores the technologies and processes in sustainable cotton dyeing. As the industry evolves, so do the methods to minimize the environmental footprint of the supply chain

The U.S. labor market is showing signs of slowing. Although the latest headline number for job growth came in above expectations, updates significantly lowered figures for previous months. In addition, the unemployment rate is trending higher, while wage growth is decelerating.

During our recent webinar, Cotton Dyeing: Technologies for a Sustainable Future, we received a number of insightful questions from our audience about sustainable dyeing processes and technologies.

This webinar explores the technologies and processes in sustainable cotton dyeing. As the industry evolves, so do the methods to minimize the environmental footprint of the supply chain

Cotton Incorporated announces winners of The Cotton Forward: 3D Fashion Design Challenge with Arts Thread

All benchmark prices decreased over the past month.

Cotton Incorporated Sponsored Product Showcase Highlights the Seal of Cotton Trademark

The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee met in early May and decided to hold interest rates at the level it has maintained since July 2023. The decision to hold rates steady was not a surprise after a string of officials highlighted a cautious approach after inflation readings ticked a little higher early in the year.

Immerse yourself in environmentally conscious fashion and discover the benefits of natural dyes and lower-impact finishing techniques. In our latest update to the CottonWorks™ Virtual Showroom’s Natural Collection, we present small groups of fabrics featuring more sustainable dyeing and finishing...

In the fashion industry, sustainability is more than just a buzzword – it’s a key factor in consumer purchasing decisions. As consumers increasingly demand more environmentally conscious practices, the industry is undergoing a shift towards more sustainable alternatives. Cotton Incorporated...

Cotton benchmarks either decreased or were steady over the past month.

This webinar explores the intersection of the earth’s natural cycles, cotton sustainability, and the impact of microfiber emissions on aquatic environments, leading into a focused examination of recent aquatic microfiber biodegradability research from NC State University.

The U.S. labor market continues to add jobs at a solid pace, with the latest addition coming in above projections. Recent inflation readings have also been coming in above expectations. The Federal Reserve’s mandate requires the pursuit of both low unemployment and the maintenance of inflation near two percent.

The concept of circularity has gained significant relevance in recent years, as the demand for sustainably produced garments remains a priority for brands and consumers. While consumer definitions of what the term  “circularity” means to them vary, most consumers do...

Listen in as Cotton Incorporated’s Senior Economist Jon Devine discusses forecasts for planted acreage in the U.S. and around the world and analyzes the production outlook for 2023/24.

Expectations regarding interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve have been pared back and projected further into the future. Several months ago, it was anticipated that the central bank could begin lowering interest rates as soon as this month and that as many as five interest rate decreases were possible in 2024. Indications are now that rate cuts may not start until June and that only three rate decreases appear more likely.

All cotton benchmarks increased over the past month.

Consumers, brands, and retailers alike already appreciate cotton for its comfortable feel and classic look, but advances in technology are also enhancing cotton’s performance in moisture management, durability, and environmental impact. Cotton is a durable, natural fiber with superior breathability...

Listen in as Cotton Incorporated’s Senior Economist Jon Devine discusses forecasts for planted acreage in the U.S. and around the world and analyzes the production outlook for 2023/24.

The U.S. economy defied expectations of a recession in 2023.

Most cotton benchmarks increased over the past month.

Cotton Incorporated Sponsored Product Showcase Highlights the Seal of Cotton Trademark The demand for sustainable products is on the rise, and Cotton Incorporated is highlighting the benefits of cotton at Natural Products Expo West, a trade event leading the way...

Most cotton benchmarks were flat over the past month. Pakistani prices increased.

The holiday shopping period generally fell in line with expectations. After an erratic set of years following the pandemic, the National Retail Federation (NRF) predicted the increase for the 2023 holiday sales season could be +3- 4%, which is near the longer-term range for growth.

Why Is Sustainable Fashion Important? From start to finish and everywhere in between, there’s room for improvement when it comes to the lifecycle of clothing. One prime place to make a difference? Reducing the 60% share of synthetics in clothing...

During the cold winter months, consumers who want an elevated look often tend to seek out traditional luxury fibers such as cashmere, Merino wool, fur or other animal fibers. While often overlooked, cotton is a natural fiber that’s making its...

For many of us, the desire to be outdoors and active doesn’t stop when the seasons change. Therefore, many consumers are starting to demand more from the performance of their activewear, extending beyond just moisture management and odor resistance. 

Mixed signals surfaced for the U.S. economy over the past month. After a surprisingly strong GDP figure (+4.9% in the third quarter) came a weaker number for job growth (+150,000 in October, which was about half the value of +297,000 posted for September). The slowdown in hiring last month was affected by the strike by autoworkers. The strike appears to be near a conclusion, and it might be a distortive factor for employment numbers again whenever strikers return to work.

Cotton benchmarks were flat or slightly lower over the past month.

Are you a student or a recent graduate with a passion for fashion and a flair for the future? We invite you to unleash your creativity with the world's most loved fiber: cotton.

Mixed signals surfaced for the U.S. economy over the past month. After a surprisingly strong GDP figure (+4.9% in the third quarter) came a weaker number for job growth (+150,000 in October, which was about half the value of +297,000 posted for September). The slowdown in hiring last month was affected by the strike by autoworkers. The strike appears to be near a conclusion, and it might be a distortive factor for employment numbers again whenever strikers return to work.

The CottonWorks virtual showroom has seen some exciting new updates to its trend section - which now features a collection dedicated to cutting-edge garments and fabrics in the world of denim.

Successful Digital Product Creation (DPC) adoption requires an understanding of industry standards and effective workflows.

Cotton benchmarks moved higher and then lower over the past month. Current values for most prices are near those posted one month ago.

Job gains have decelerated in recent months. However, the U.S. economy has held up better than was generally feared when inflation was surging and interest rates started climbing sharply higher.

Cotton Incorporated introduces RESTech COTTON™ technology, a performance sheeting solution.

Members of the Cotton Incorporated team recently returned from ITMA 2023, an influential textile and garment technology exhibition. Held once every four years, ITMA is where key industry decision-makers gather to showcase the latest textile and garment processing technologies, machinery, and materials.

The NY/ICE December contract pushed through resistance near 82 cents/lb around the middle of July. With the USDAS’s reduction to its U.S. production forecast, December prices climbed to levels near 90 cents/lb.

Now is the time to explore the CottonWorks™ Virtual Showroom and discover the future of cotton through an innovative digital experience. Download free, digital fabric files to bring garment ideas and designs to life, and stay ahead of the “fashion game” by regularly visiting our platform for the latest trends and technologies in the world of cotton.

Since it was established in 1973, Cotton Incorporated’s Seal of Cotton trademark has grown into an iconic household brand. And with 50 years of marketing support from Cotton Incorporated, it’s no wonder that 8 in 10 consumers recognize the trademark and trust it to identify natural, reliable, and hypoallergenic products.

Over the past month, the NY/ICE December contract continued to trade sideways within the range between 77 and 85 cents/lb that has contained values since late November 2022. There was a test of the lower end of that range (closing prices dropped to 77.9 cents/lb on June 26th, which was the lowest level since December 2022)

A range of measures can be used to track inflation. The Federal Reserve most closely follows an inflation rate called the personal consumption expenditure price index (PCE index). PCE index data are published with a longer lag than CPI numbers (the CPI and the PCE index are published by separate government agencies), but the latest readings indicate that inflation continues to fall.

The outlook for the U.S. economy remains clouded by uncertainty. Arguments suggesting a slowdown find support from persistent inflation and the steepest increases in interest rates in a generation. Arguments suggesting continued growth find support from a strong labor market and a resilient consumer.

After three years of drought, significant rainfall finally arrived in West Texas. In certain areas, precipitation was heavy enough to cause flooding. While flooding may have a detrimental impact on some farm operations, the arrival of rain has already caused projections for abandonment to decrease.

Listen in as Cotton Incorporated’s Senior Economist Jon Devine discusses forecasts for planted acreage in the U.S. and around the world and analyzes the production outlook for 2023/24.

There has been renewed concern about 2022/23 production recently. The current focus of attention is India, where arrivals at gins are significantly behind the pace from one year ago. There has been speculation that Indian growers may be withholding volume in hopes of securing better prices, but the breadth of the gap has given root to worry that the Indian crop may end up being smaller than currently forecast.

After a meeting in early May, Federal Reserve officials decided to make its tenth increase in interest rates since March of last year. The speed and magnitude of the change in interest rates presented a series of challenges to business practices. Financing costs have risen sharply across all industries, and a focus on cost-cutting has already led to layoffs at several large corporations.

For cotton, a steep correction in demand has been underway for several months. As concerns about the trajectory of economic growth mounted toward the second half of 2022, order volumes collapsed. However, consumer spending did not drop as was feared. Although uncertainty remains for the future, inflation-adjusted U.S. consumer spending has held at levels 25% higher than in 2019.

Uncertainty surrounding the trajectory of U.S. economic growth persists. The labor market continues to add jobs, and wages continue to rise at rates higher than those experienced in the decade following the financial crisis. Inflation also remains higher than the rates experienced in the decade following the financial crisis. As a result, the Federal Reserve has continued to boost interest rates (the Federal Funds rate was increased another 0.25 points in late March).

Listen in as Cotton Incorporated’s Senior Economist Jon Devine discusses forecasts for planted acreage in the U.S. and around the world and analyzes the production outlook for 2023/24.

In this Q&A session, we spoke with Dr. Gaylon Morgan, the director of Agricultural Research at Cotton Incorporated with 22 years of experience in applied cotton research, to learn more about the benefits of soil health practices for cotton production, how they can be implemented and how they impact brands and retailers. 

The persistently strong labor market continues to defy the expected effects of the Federal Reserve’s increases in interest rates. The economy added a high number of jobs again last month, and the unemployment rate remains at a historically low level. With unemployment low, employers face more competition for qualified candidates, and that can put upward pressure on wages.

The trajectory of the global economy looms large. The latest data releases indicate inflation has yet to be cured, which may mean interest rates will have to climb higher. Meanwhile, labor markets have proven resilient, consumers still have savings from the stimulus, and COVID has faded as a pressing threat. Geopolitical developments are unknowable but may prove influential.

These days, more and more of our actions and activities are transitioning to digital and electronic methods—and the worlds of fashion and textile design are no exception. The use of digital fabrics can lead to greater efficiencies for the fashion industry by reducing designers’ reliance on physical samples, accelerating design timelines, and providing more opportunities to experiment with new ideas in less time.

With a dwindling tampon supply trending in the news over the past year, rumors of a cotton shortage took hold. It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the global supply chain across many product categories. However, when it comes to tampons, cotton use and availability are not to blame. Here are the facts.

There are several potential signals that a turnaround in business conditions could be emerging. In its latest round of updates, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lifted projections for global economic growth in 2023 and 2024. While growth is still expected to be sluggish, the reversal in the direction of the updates may be notable.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released an updated set of global estimates for economic growth in late January. The headline for the report was “Inflation Peaking Amid Low Growth”, suggesting that while a major challenge for the global economy may be fading, another remains.

The unemployment rate remains safely below four percent and is low by historical standards. Although it has not been able to surpass inflation, wage growth has been steady near five percent, beyond anything registered in the decade between the financial crisis and the onset of COVID. Nonetheless, inflation has been increasing faster than wages since the first quarter of 2021, implying that consumer spending power has been falling despite higher income.

Given widespread reports of a slowdown in mill demand, the decrease to USDA consumption this month could have been anticipated. China is central to global cotton demand, and the continued inversion of traditional relationships between Chinese prices and other benchmarks may signal that a global recovery in demand is not yet underway.

The U.S. labor market continues to add jobs and support wage growth. This may give the Federal Reserve more room to continue to aggressively increase interest rates to tame inflation. For this reason, financial markets turned lower after the positive job report.

The recent volatility in NY/ICE futures has been attributed to various factors, including short covering in the futures market and import interest from China. The steep increases in early November can also be interpreted as a sensitivity to potential increases in demand for U.S. exports.

The U.S. economy was estimated to have added 261,000 jobs last month. This was the lowest addition since December 2020, but job growth has nonetheless remained resilient to interest rate increases.

Who has time to worry about wrinkled clothing? If you’re looking for the perfect, easy-care Chino pant, look no further. Onward Reserve has launched its men’s City Chinos featuring PUREPRESS™ technology.

About 100 buyers, designers, and sustainability officers with major fashion brands and retailers joined sustainability luminaries and experts in soil health, supply chain, circularity, and cotton agriculture at the 2022 Cotton Sustainability Summit. 

Carbon is a perennially hot topic in the cotton industry. It has a unique role in the carbon equation, as cotton plants naturally—and very efficiently—sequester carbon in the soil and in the fiber itself.

A major development in the global economy has been a steep increase in the value of the U.S. dollar. As U.S. interest rates increased relative to those in other markets over the past several months, it made investment in dollar-denominated assets more attractive and the resulting influx of money caused the dollar to strengthen.

Price decreases over the past month indicate that demand-related concerns have been winning the contest between the competing storylines involving a weaker downstream outlook and lower production expectations in a couple key cotton-growing countries.

October 7 is World Cotton Day, a global celebration of the world’s most important natural fiber. The U.S. cotton industry is leading the way for sustainability research, climate-smart collaboration, and industry innovation that benefits the environment, farmers, and consumers alike.

Staying on top of fashion trends is a must for designers, manufacturers, and retailers alike. Yet, predicting the future of fashion is a tricky business that requires the perfect blend of research and expertise. Even for a tried-and-true fabric staple like denim, trends in how the fabric is made, worn, and styled have evolved and will continue to change over time.

Carhartt has launched the perfect everyday leggings featuring TOUGH COTTON™ technology. Made with 95% cotton, they’re a perfect blend of tough and comfortable and are available in toddler and girls' sizing.

Cotton Incorporated and Adobe collaborated to demonstrate and showcase a new material workflow using Adobe Substance 3D applications, designed to unify digital and physical materials.