The US
Cotton Trust Protocol recently welcomed first 10 US cotton textile manufacturers
– Buhler Quality Yarns, Cap Yarns, CCW, Contempora Fabrics, Cotswold Industries,
Frontier Yarns, Hamrick Mills, Inman Mills, Parkdale, Swisstex Direct as
members. US Cotton Trust Protocol membership enables these mills and
manufacturers to prove that they are an approved supply chain partner for
brands and retailers who are sourcing more sustainably grown cotton.
“One of our
goals with the Trust Protocol is to give brands and retailers greater
confidence when including U.S. cotton in their sourcing mix. Our emphasis on
measurement and independent verification can provide confidence and trust that
a brand is using quality, responsibly grown cotton and producing a product that
consumers can believe in,†said Dr Gary
Adams, president of the US Cotton Trust Protocol.
He further
added, “We are delighted that these US mills have joined the Trust Protocol as
that supports the much sought-after supply chain transparency and by using US-manufactured
cotton products, brands and retailers are choosing a reliable and transparent
partner right here in the USA.â€Â
Mills and
manufacturers who become members of the Trust Protocol have access to the Trust
Protocol credit system to validate consumption of cotton and associated
credits. The combination of a unique credit accounting system and the Permanent
Bale Identification (PBI) system enables brands to have transparency throughout
the supply chain to finished product.
The Trust
Protocol has been invited to join Cotton 2040 and its CottonUp guide and also
is on the Textile Exchange’s list of 36 preferred fibres and materials that
more than 170 participating brands and retailers can select from as part of
Textile Exchange’s Material Change Index program. In December the Trust
Protocol also announced Gap Inc. joined as part of its integrated
sustainability strategy and to help achieve its commitment to use only 100 per
cent sustainably-sourced cotton by 2025.