The ultimate guide to different types of cotton
Making Conscious Choices
Cotton is one of the world’s most essential natural fibers, celebrated for its softness, breathability, and versatility. However, the methods of cotton production can vary widely, each with different environmental and social impacts. Understanding these differences can help you make more sustainable and informed choices. This guide breaks down the various types of cotton you might encounter, from Virgin to Recycled, and highlights how companies like Hispano Tex are leading the way in sustainable textile manufacturing.
What is Cotton Fiber?
Cotton is a natural fiber harvested from the seeds of the cotton plant, used in a vast range of products—from clothing and home textiles to medical supplies and even paper. Despite its global importance, cotton cultivation has significant environmental implications, requiring substantial water, energy, and land resources. As a leading high-quality manufacturer of textiles, Hispano Tex has been at the forefront of addressing these challenges by focusing on sustainable production practices, particularly in the use of recycled cotton.
TYPES OF COTTON
Virgin Cotton
Virgin cotton is derived directly from the cotton plant and has not undergone any prior use or processing. This type of cotton, while essential for the textile industry, demands a significant amount of resources, including water, pesticides, and fertilizers. At Hispano Tex, while virgin cotton is still part of our production, we have increasingly shifted towards more sustainable alternatives, particularly recycled cotton, to minimize environmental impact.
Conventional Cotton
Conventional cotton is grown using traditional farming methods, often involving synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This method is still widespread but has considerable environmental drawbacks, including soil degradation and water contamination. Hispano Tex recognizes the need to move away from these practices, which is why since 2018, the majority of our production has transitioned to using recycled cotton, a more sustainable option.
Better Cotton
Better Cotton is produced under the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), which promotes more sustainable farming practices worldwide. This initiative aims to improve global cotton production by reducing its environmental impact and enhancing the livelihoods of cotton farmers. Better Cotton currently represents nearly 22% of global cotton production as of 2023. Hispano Tex is committed to sourcing and producing textiles that align with these sustainable practices, furthering our commitment to a greener textile industry.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is cultivated using organic farming methods that avoid synthetic chemicals and emphasize sustainable practices such as crop rotation and the use of organic fertilizers. This type of cotton must meet strict certification standards to be labeled as organic. As part of our commitment to sustainability, Hispano Tex holds Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Organic Content Standard (OCS) certifications, ensuring that our organic cotton textiles meet the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility.
Organic cotton represented approximately 1.5% of global cotton production in 2023. Hispano Tex is proud to offer a wide range of textile collections made with eco-cotton and GOTS-certified cotton, helping to drive the demand for more sustainable cotton in the market.
Regenerative Cotton
Regenerative cotton involves farming practices that go beyond sustainability, focusing on restoring and enhancing ecosystems, soil health, and community well-being. Although still a niche category, regenerative cotton is gaining momentum as awareness of regenerative agriculture grows. At Hispano Tex, we support the principles of regenerative agriculture and are exploring opportunities to incorporate regenerative cotton into our product lines, furthering our commitment to sustainability.
Recycled Cotton
Recycled cotton is produced from cotton fibers reclaimed from pre-consumer, post-consumer, or post-industrial waste. The process of recycling cotton can be either mechanical or chemical. Mechanical recycling involves breaking down used cotton textiles into fibers and spinning them into new yarn, while chemical recycling breaks the cotton down into its chemical components before regenerating it into new fibers. More detailed information about the differences between pre-consumer and post-consumer cotton can be read here.
Recycled cotton accounted for around 1% of global cotton production in 2023. Since 2018, Hispano Tex has led the way in using recycled cotton for the majority of our textile production, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and reducing the environmental footprint of our products. We hold the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification, which ensures that our recycled cotton meets rigorous environmental and social criteria.
Hispano Tex: Leading the Way in Sustainable Textiles
As a leader in the textile industry, Hispano Tex is committed to sustainability and producing high-quality textiles that meet the highest environmental standards. Since 2018, most of our production has been made with recycled cotton, underscoring our dedication to a green textile industry. We are proud to hold certifications such as the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), GOTS, and OCS, which validate our commitment to sustainable and ethical practices.
On our website, you can explore a wide range of textile collections made with eco-cotton and GRS-certified cotton. We invite you to register on our site to access more detailed information about our products and how we are contributing to a more sustainable future in the textile industry.
Choosing the right type of cotton is crucial for minimizing the environmental and social impacts of textile production. With options ranging from Virgin to Recycled cotton, the decisions you make as a consumer or business can significantly influence the sustainability of the products you use or produce. At Hispano Tex, we are committed to leading the industry in sustainable practices, ensuring that our textiles not only meet the highest quality standards but also contribute to a healthier planet.
