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. There were 80 experts who attended the meeting, representing actors along the textile value chain.
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.
One of the CmiA partners is the cotton trader Stadtlander stated that as an internationally oriented company in the cotton trade, a great importance has been attached to reliability and dynamism. Cotton made in Africa also work in accordance to these values says Maximilian Daebel of Otto Stadtlander during the workshop, According to Lorenz Reinhart, working for the swiss-based, international cotton trader Reinhart, CmiA is a key component of the strategy of the company.
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. CmiA thereby maximizes its support for smallholders in Africa, helping them to improve their living and working conditions, and protects the natural environment. A global comparison shows that CmiA cotton saves over 500 liters of water on every T-shirt. in 2016 around 50 million textiles bearing the Cotton made in Africa label were brought onto the market. At present 30 companies market Cotton made in Africa products.
Talking about the Cotton made in Africa,it was initiated in 2005 by Hamburg. Michael Otto as an independent initiative. Today it is the largest initiative for sustainable cotton in Africa and links 695,000 African smallholders and around 30 textile companies with each other along the worldwide supply chain. The products can be identified by the Cotton made in Africa label.
