Defending cotton as an essential raw material so that the consumption of textile products becomes more environmentally responsible is the key message that the Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (Abrapa), through Cotton Brazil, will be taking to the Textile Exchange Conference next week. The event takes place from October 28th to November 1st in Pasadena (California). 

Abrapa’s president, Alexandre Schenkel, and the association’s Sustainability manager, Fabio Carneiro, will be representing Brazil which this year became the world leader in cotton exports. Both were invited to participate in the Textile Exchange general assembly on the 28th (Monday). 

On the same day, Abrapa will be part of the ‘Preferred Cotton‘ (pCotton) round table. This expression, created by Textile Exchange, identifies cotton that is produced with more ecological and/or social responsibility than conventional cotton. 

In its latest version, the Textile Exchange has renewed the Preferred Fiber and Materials Matrix (PFMM) methodology. It has included assessment of human rights, chemical management and the integrity of initiatives, adding around 80 qualitative and quantitative indicators to assess the performance of different sustainability standards around the world. 

Currently, Brazil is one of the world’s leading producers of pCotton, as more than 80% of Brazil’s crop is certified by the “Responsible Brazilian Cotton” (ABR) program – the national standard for socio-environmental certification of cotton. 

“We want to position our cotton in this important sustainability forum for our sector. By exchanging experiences and information, we will certainly learn more about innovation and more good practices,” said Mr. Schenkel.

In addition to ABR, the organization classifies 18 other global cotton certification programs as pCotton, including organic, recyclable and responsible cotton certifications. 

The Textile Exchange is a global non-profit organization focused on fostering good practices in the textile and fashion sector. The goal is to reduce the climate and nature impacts of production. 

In all, the Textile Exchange conference agenda includes five days of plenary sessions and debates as well as field trips. 

Find out more. Abrapa’s presence at the event is part of the activities organized by Cotton Brazil, a program to promote Brazilian cotton on a global scale developed by Abrapa. This enterprise is a joint action in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and 

Investment Promotion Agency (Apex Brasil) and is supported by the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea).