Page 38 - TEXtalks International June/July-2025

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Trust Protocol achieves sixth year of

record growth in enrolled acres and

growers, despite challenging

growing conditions

COTTON USA™ platform for U.S. Cotton. The program’s mission is to create a sustainable standard for U.S. Cotton that is
Launched in 2020, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a voluntary sustainability program and traceability
data-powered, traceable, and generates a positive impact through the global cotton value system – from
farms to finished product.
Sustainability Forum in drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics – land use, soil carbon, water management,

The Trust Protocol is the only system that provides quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement and

Jakarta unites global textile The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol announced its sixth consecutive year of growth, marking an expansion in both
soil loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency. As well as the world’s first sustainable cotton
fiber program to offer article-level supply chain transparency to all members.

leaders to champion growth underscores the program’s increasing value to U.S. cotton farmers, particularly in today’s challenging
planted acres and enrolled growers. The program now represents 2.58 million planted acres, an 18%
increase from the previous year, planted by 1,512 participating growers – a 14% rise compared to 2024. This

U.S. Cotton By participating in the Trust Protocol, growers receive actionable data-driven insights that help them
environment with fluctuating input costs, changing weather, and evolving market conditions.

allows them to demonstrate their commitment to responsible practices through
At the recent COTTON USA™ Sustainability Forum cotton products from leading Indonesian and understand their environmental footprint, optimize farming practices, and improve overall efficiency. This
in Jakarta, Cotton Council International (CCI) international manufacturers. Their displays measurement and verification.
revealed its 2023-24 Circularity Study results, highlighted U.S. cotton’s diverse applications in
showing U.S. cotton's top-quality yarn strength, low advancing circular product lifecycles, reinforcing its “We are proud of the continued increase in grower participation in the Trust Protocol, the voluntary
fiber hairiness, and excellent fabric quality, even versatility and relevance in today’s sustainability program for U.S. Cotton, which means greater sourcing opportunities for brands and retailers
when blended with recycled fibers. sustainability-driven market. around the world, including increased access to U.S. Cotton and Protocol Cotton,” said Daren Abney,
Executive Director of the Trust Protocol. “This consistent increase highlights the value growers find in our
These findings, presented to about 220 key players Exhibitors included: Dan Liris Group, PT Embee program as they look for opportunities to enhance resilience in the face of current economic and
from across the global textile and apparel supply Plumbon Tekstil, PT Pan Brothers Tbk, Aditya Birla environmental pressures.”
chain, demonstrate U.S. cotton’s critical role in Yarn, PT Argo Manunggal Triasta, Duniatex Group,
building a more sustainable, regenerative, and PT Lucky Print Abadi, PT Benang Citra Indonesia, PT The Trust Protocol provides a transparent and verifiable system for tracking U.S. Cotton and Protocol Cotton
circular industry future. Sekar Bengawan and PT Triputra Sandang Utama. to finished product, giving brands and retailers the assurance they need to help meet their sourcing goals
and reporting requirements. The Trust Protocol currently has over 2,500 mill and manufacturer members
CCI’s Circularity Study tested yarns made with 20% The COTTON USA™ Sustainability Forum 2025 around the world, and more than 45 global brands, including Ralph Lauren, Gap, Levi’s, Carhartt, J.Crew, and
post-consumer and 30% pre-consumer recycled reaffirmed U.S. cotton’s role as a powerful asset for Urban Outfitters.
content, blended with cotton from different origins. brands striving to meet global circularity goals
U.S. cotton’s superior performance strongly aligns it without compromising performance, thanks to its European brand KIABI is Weaving Sustainability into Fashion with Cotton Tracked Through
with the European Union’s Strategy for Sustainable durability, traceability, and consistent quality. With a the Trust Protocol
and Circular Textiles, which calls for textile products strong turnout and a vibrant mix of industry leaders, In 2023, KIABI became the first European brand to join the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. The move was part of
that are long-lasting, repairable, and recyclable. sourcing offices, mills, brands, and sustainability the French retail giant’s commitment to sustainable sourcing and a broader push towards positive social and
experts, the event also confirmed its status as a key environmental change across the fashion industry. Two years in, KIABI is leveraging its membership to work
The COTTON USA™ Sustainability Forum also platform for education and collaboration toward a towards ambitious sustainability goals. The retailer also joined the program’s Board of Directors in 2024.
featured 16 booths showcasing innovative U.S. more responsible textile ecosystem.

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