Cotton Complexities

What Makes All the Various Cotton Types So Different From Each Other? Experts and Fabric Manufacturers Explain How and Why the White Flock Fiber Can Make a Difference.
 

- Maria Cristina Pavarini

Even if they all look very similar not all cottons are created equal. They may have different intrinsic characteristics that can be employed for different product categories and segments. And, no less important, they may be sustainable and earth-and skin-friendly by different degrees. 

Considering that cotton is a natural product, some of its characteristics depend first of all upon how it is grown, secondly how it is transformed into a yarn, a fabric and garment, and thirdly–though not necessarily–if it can be recycled into new products after it has been worn.

THE ORIGIN OF COTTON

The entire world’s cotton production, according to the US Agriculture Department, has reached over 24 million tons for 2015-16, 16% less than in 2014-15. About 27% of the total harvest comes from India and about 25% from China. Following in the list of the word’s main cotton producers are the US (13%), Pakistan (9%) and Brazil (6%).