Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) certified cotton is processed all over the world in all major textile production countries. The aim of the Cotton made in Africa Supply Chain Workshop, held in Coimbatore/India mid-May, was to further establish CmiA in India where demand is also increasing. Some 80 experts attended the meeting, representing actors along the textile value chain – from spinning mills and ready-made garment and fabric producers right through to cotton traders and merchandisers for textile companies.
Christian Barthel, Director Supply Chain Management at Cotton made in Africa, presented examples of best practice, demonstrating how Cotton made in Africa can further be integrated in the textile supply chains in India – in a way which is transparent, traceable and economically viable. Including the Indian market, Cotton made in Africa works with over 100 players in the international textile production market.
One of the CmiA partners is the cotton trader Stadtlander. “As an internationally oriented company in the cotton trade, we attach great importance to reliability and dynamism. Cotton made in Africa also work in accordance to these values,” said Maximilian Daebel of Otto Stadtlander during the workshop, “We are happy to partner with CmiA and thereby helping to improve the living conditions of cotton farmers in Africa who stand at the beginning of the textile supply chain.” According to Lorenz Reinhart, working for the swiss-based, international cotton trader Reinhart, CmiA is a key component of the strategy of the company: “To work with Cotton made in Africa means for us to preserve internationally recognized sustainability standards for hundreds of thousands of smallholders in Africa.”
Through its worldwide network along the textile value chain, Cotton made in Africa ensures that CmiA cotton can be purchased cost-neutral, all over the world and at any time. This enables companies on the one hand to combine their sustainability goals with their procurement targets in the best possible way. The initiative on the other hand can thereby pursue its aims which is to persuade companies to switch from conventional sources to Cotton made in Africa cotton. At the end, CmiA thereby maximizes its support for smallholders in Africa, helping them to improve their living and working conditions and to protect the natural environment. A global comparison shows that CmiA cotton saves over 500 liters of water on every T-shirt. Around 50 million textiles bearing the Cotton made in Africa label were brought onto the market in 2016. Around 30 companies currently market Cotton made in Africa products.