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Cover Story
Fiber Showdown: Is It Time for Cotton and Synthetics to Call a Truce?
When battle is first joined, the blood runs hot and energy levels are high. Motivation is at its peak and focus is easy to maintain. But as the competition drags on and on – as it has for decades with cotton and polyester – some begin to question whether the fight is worth it at all.
Features
ICAC Researcher of the Year: The Best Is Yet to Come
Each year, during the opening session of the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s (ICAC) plenary meeting, the association names the recipient of its “Researcher of the Year.” On Sept. 4 in Buenos Aires, that individual was announced to be Dr. Sukumar Saha, a research geneticist with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
Debunking the Myths: Leaders Gather to Unify the Cotton Family
When people engage in competition, they expect to be challenged and attacked by their opponents. That’s the very nature of the competitive relationship. But when those attacks come from your own team rather than the enemy, it’s a major problem.
Back to Basics Which Fiber Will Win? The One with Better Marketing
If the pen is truly mightier than the sword, all fibers – both natural and synthetic – would be wise to start polishing their communications skills. Cotton and synthetics have been battling for market share for decades, and victory or defeat might ultimately come down to which fiber is better at marketing.
The Kingpins Show Mills Want Cotton, Because Cotton Means Quality
As the exclusive licensee for FiberMax and Stoneville cotton in the finished garment business, Olah Inc. is fortunate to work with Bayer CropScience in promoting these varieties to the textile and fashion industries around the world.
CmiA and BCI: Sustainability Efforts Focus on Income and IPM
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) are two relatively new initiatives aiming to create a market for a more sustainable commodity: cotton. They include principles of integrated pest management (IPM) and set verifiable criteria for this cotton.
Cotton in Africa: Are the CmiA and Compaci Models Financially Sustainable?
The initial impetus to start a sustainable cotton project for Africa goes back to German entrepreneur Michael Otto, the owner of a large textile mail-order and retail company.
Mediterranean Report: Plantings and Production on the Rise in Egypt
Cotton is a cash crop to Egyptian farmers, as well as an important resource to the Egyptian economy. Cotton production occupies more than 500,000 rural householders and employs half a million people.
Mediterranean Report: Maintaining Cotton Purity Is a Top Priority for Egypt
To re-establish Egyptian cotton’s reputation, we must search for a solution beginning with production, marketing, trading, exporting and manufacturing, and then analyze the problems carefully before finding scientific and practical solutions to them.
Mediterranean Report: Cotton in Turkey
GAP Project to Provide Major Boost to Production
Mediterranean Report: Cotton in Syria
Short-Term Success, Long-Term Pessimism
Mediterranean Report: Greek Cotton
All Signs Positive for This Year’s Crop ... So Far
Mediterranean Report: Textile Industry Positive Signs for Cotton in Mediterranean Mills
Once among the world leaders in yarn and textiles, the Mediterranean industry has been impacted by the shift of high volume production to Far Eastern countries. But it’s making a comeback, with a strong emphasis on quality and close proximity to markets in Europe.
Columns
Mike McCue
Wearing a White Hat: Time to Rally the Troops
The negative commentary that occurs among members of the cotton community needs to stop.
Jess Ennis
When Brown is Green
Gifts brought back from exotic lands – that’s one benefit of having a parent or a spouse involved in the international cotton trade.
