October 21-24, 2013-Cotton Council International (“CCI”) and Cotton Incorporated (“CI”) join forces to promote cotton at 2013 Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics. Through Cotton Council International, users of U.S. cotton gain supply chain partners, and through Cotton Incorporated, companies can access resources in research, innovation, technical assistance and marketing.

The exhibition scene, photo by CCI

 s. Karin Malmstrom, China Director of CCI in talking with industry media commented on the trends of the apparels market. “Nowadays, Chinese consumers are more concerned about quality and safety when they are choosing textile products and apparel. Textile manufacturers are endeavoring to work out the best possible solutions to look for quality fiber and new technology in order to introduce quality, safe and responsibly-produced textile to meet consumers’ ever-changing demands.

Ms. Karin Malmstrom, China Director of CCI ，photo by CCI

U.S. cotton has been enjoying a high reputation in the industry given its quality and strict planting and production regulations. U.S. cotton producers are leaders  in the implementation of best management practices that generate ongoing environmental gains.  Over the past two decades, U.S. cotton growers have significantly improved resource efficiencies including a 31% decrease in per-pound lint land use; a 68% decrease in soil erosion, a 75% decrease in irrigation water applied; and reductions of 31% and 22% in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S. cotton satisfies EU Eco-Label standard and clearly passes the regulation as a foodstuff. U.S. cotton is a safe, renewable and eco-friendly natural fiber. In China, CCI attaches much importance to the development of fabric and apparel sector — a steadily increasing segment for domestic volume consumption of cotton-rich fabrics. In CCI’s booth area, we are displaying products from different COTTON USA licensed manufacturers and brands, including, minipeace, Batty Boop, Elle, Levi’s Kids, Teelocker, Fujian Federation, Septwolves, Nautica, Peacebird, Devil Nut, Dazzle, Diamond Dazzle, Dizzit, JNBY, Miidii, Snoopy Girl and New Jersey.

Ms. Malmstrom further introduced, “Under the theme of ‘Come Home to U.S. Cotton’, the upcoming consumer promotion campaign will be different from the previous years. CCI is going to provide our COTTON USA licensees and Chinese consumers an interactive program to further enhance their understanding of the key benefits of U.S. cotton fiber and how U.S. cotton products can have a positive impact on their lives.

Mr. Katsuro Ishida, Vice President for Global Supply Chain Marketing Asia at Cotton Incorporated, noted, “Cotton Incorporated continues to serve as a resource for the world’s textile industry. We remain committed to helping companies improve their cotton business through innovation, fashion and technical assistance.”

Mr. William Kimbrell, Associate Director, Supply Chain Initiatives at Cotton Incorporated, said “Consumers continue to favor cotton in their products. At our booth, visitors can learn about a wide range of ideas in cotton, including product developments and leading technologies for cotton textiles. Cotton Incorporated will also highlight technologies and inspirational designs produced in collaboration with industry partners.” During the exhibition, Cotton Incorporated will hold a Product Trend Forecast Lecture (2015/2016 Spring/Summer), at which, the product trend analyst from Cotton Incorporated will introduce the latest fabrics and color trends.

The US's long staple cotton brand "Supima" have an array of "Supima" products on display featuring quality SUPIMA® products at the joint booth. Central Fabrics Company Limited, Sanyang Textile Company Limited and Wuxi No.1 Cotton Mill, who are “COTTON USA” licensees and strategic partners of CCI and CI in China will also display their cotton-rich products at the joint booth.

Cotton Council International (“CCI”) Washington, DC-based Cotton Council International, the National Cotton Council’s export promotions arm, works to increase U.S. exports of cotton, cottonseed and U.S.-manufactured cotton products. COTTON USA conducts a wide variety of programs for trade and consumers alike, and does so through close cooperation with the leading textile & clothing manufacturers and top brands worldwide, promoting the comfortable, reliable and versatile nature of U.S. cotton throughout the entire cotton supply chain.  For more information, please visit www.cottonusa.org.cn, www.uscottonlife.com.

Cotton Incorporated (“CI”) works on behalf of American producers of upland cotton and importers of cotton products. The company’s mission is to increase demand and add value for cotton through activities in research and cotton promotion around the world. Cotton Incorporated has a world-class research center for new product development and product quality improvement. For more information, please visit www.cottoninc.com