Over 100 million textiles carry CmiA label

Currently, 46 international fashion brands and textile companies purchase CmiA cotton on the international textile production markets. The Otto Group is the largest buyer with Bonprix heading the list. Roughly 93 per cent of the cotton purchased and processed by Bonprix is CmiA-certified. “The close collaboration with Cotton made in Africa is an important leverage for us in achieving our goal of exclusively demanding sustainably produced cotton by 2020,” said Stefanie Sumfleth, head of quality management, corporate responsibility & digital product development at Bonprix. “We are convinced that together with CmiA, we make a valuable contribution to protecting people and the environment.” Other major buyers of the sustainably produced cotton are the REWE Group, Tchibo, Aldi SuD, and Asos as well as Ernsting’s family, Vlisco Group, Engelbert Strauss, and Bestseller. In addition to the big players, smaller fair fashion brands such as Hiitu, Cooee Kids, and Weaverbirds also rely on the sustainability label. Aldi Nord recently joined as new licensing partner.

In 2018, around one million smallholder farmers from ten African countries were part of the initiative and trained in sustainable and efficient farming methods. The demand for CmiA cotton on the market also rose by more than 14 per cent compared to 2017.

“With Cotton made in Africa, textile companies get more than just cotton. They show that sustainability and profitability go very well hand in hand,” said Tina Stridde, managing director of CmiA. “At the same time, international textile companies and brands are strong partners for smallholder farmers. For each textile piece, they pay licensing fees which finance the work in Africa. We are pleased that we have been able to successfully expand the demand for CmiA in the market thanks to 46 retailers and fashion brands.”

CmiA is working with smallholder farmers in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia and Ghana, as well as in Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With the addition of new partners in Nigeria and Benin, the initiative expands its network from the 2018-19 season. Whereas more than 100 registered spinning partners and textile producers worldwide work with CmiA in the textile chain now – 85 have been registered in 2018. About 37 per cent of the total cotton production in Africa is CmiA-certified. CmiA-cotton is processed in 19 textile production markets worldwide – thereof seven in Africa.

“It is the courage and strength of our partners in Africa and around the world that spurs us on and motivates us every day to continue working with them on the success of our initiative and that allows us to look to the future with great optimism," founder professor Dr Michael Otto concluded. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India