Trying to minimize the harm of cotton manufacturing on human and environmental health, Better Cotton Standard has been continuing its development since 2010. Many important brands provide most of their cotton needs from Better Cotton. Manufactured in 5 continents and 21 countries since 201, it corresponds to 16% of global cotton production. It is aimed to produce 30% of total cotton as Better Cotton and reach 5 million farmers by 2020.
Global brands’ interest towards cotton with Better Cotton Standard increases rapidly. Brands who performed 85,000mt buying in 2013, performed 116,000mt in 2014, 251,000mt buying in 2015. Brands like Levi Strauss, Adidas, Ikea, Reebok and H&M plan to focus on 100% sustainable cotton buying by 2020.
IPUD Was Formed in 2013 with Sector’s Venture
Better Cotton Application Association (IPUD) was formed as the only establishment owning application and licencing Better Cotton Standards in Turkey with an agreement signed with BCI in 2013. Formed with the enterprise of leader establishments and names of Turkish textile and cotton sectors, IPUD represents the sector powerfully in its corporate structure. IPUD basically performs education, project, auditing and licensing activities for Turkish cotton manufacturers’ produce in Better Cotton Standards.
The Better Cotton manufacturing area where IPUD was formed in 2013 raised to 15.644 hectare in 2016 where it was 7.237 hectare in 2013. Unginned cotton manufacturing raised to 77.897 ton in 2016 while it was 34.517 ton in 2013. This corresponds to 29. 601 fiber production. Aside from the serious raise of all farmers’ harvest efficiency performed manufacturing for Better Cotton concept, it was observed that they used less pesticide, fertilizer and water.
IPUD aims to reach these goals by 2020; total cotton cultivation area in Turkey 600.000 thousand hectare; cultivation area in with Better Cotton licence 111.000 hectare; manufacturer unit number with Better Cotton iicence 99 and farmer number with Better Cotton licence 4,440.