PPB April 2018

Terry Ramsay is associate editor of PPB. | APRIL 2018 | 19 INNOVATE PickingThe Perfect Cotton Globally, the four most widely used commercially grown types of cotton include: Upland cotton makes up most of the world’s cotton crop. In the U.S., it is grown throughout the cotton belt, which extends from Virginia to California. Its versatility makes it useful for a full range of materials, from apparel to heavy canvas. Egyptian cotton is known for its fine, strong fibers. It is often made into high‑end apparel and bedding. Authentic Egyptian cotton is grown in Egypt, but the term is often loosely used to describe any long staple cotton (the industry term for cotton with long fibers). Asiatic cotton is produced primarily in China, India, Pakistan and Russia. Due to its short, tough fibers, Asiatic cotton is best for non‑apparel items such as blankets. Pima cotton is a hybrid product predominantly grown in the western U.S. Created to resemble Egyptian cotton and named after the Pima Indians who cultivated it, this cotton is soft, highly absorbent and sought after for expensive clothing and bedding. Although organic cotton still represents a small percentage of the global market, consumer and corporate demand for organic cotton is on the rise. According to the Organic Trade Association, demand for cotton that is sustainable and chemical free increased 15 percent between 2015 and 2016. Following trends in organic food consumption, the forecast for environmentally‑friendly textiles is strong.