India’s cotton history is rich and extensive, and recent initiatives are giving the country’s modern cotton sector even greater prominence on the world stage. The country’s luxury cotton sector, known as Kasturi Cotton, is setting new benchmarks for Indian cotton by creating a reliable, verifiable supply chain that delivers authentic cotton of “consistently superior quality.”
Kasturi Cotton is cleaner with 2 percent or less waste and an 8 percent moisture content ceiling, according to India’s Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL), the textile export development organization in charge of Kasturi’s branding, traceability and certification program. This allows importers to achieve greater operational efficiency, reduce waste, achieve better cooking and superior product output.
More from Sourcing Journal
Building on this success, Kasturi Cotton looks forward to expanding its offering with Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton with fiber lengths of 31mm and more. This expansion meets the growing demand for luxury cotton products and introduces a new dimension to the brand’s portfolio.
“India has been a global exporter of cotton for centuries. Kasturi Cotton builds on this rich heritage and reflects the country’s commitment to continue meeting global demands of a consistent supply of the finest Indian cotton with the added features of full traceability and transparency,” said Dr. Siddhartha Rajagopal, Executive Director of TEXPROCIL.
To realize this initiative, a historic agreement was signed in December 2022 between the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), a public sector company that plays a crucial role in promoting India’s cotton economy and which includes the Ministry of Textiles, the Indian government and TEXPROCIL. .
At the heart of Kasturi Cotton’s innovation is its state-of-the-art blockchain traceability platform that guarantees 100 percent authenticity. Such transparency promotes trust and accountability, while the customizable platform complies with both current and future global supply chain regulations. Both stakeholders and consumers can now follow the cotton’s journey from farm to final product. A monitoring committee comprising agricultural and textile trade associations, representatives of the Indian textile industry and statutory quality standards bodies regularly monitors the Kasturi Cotton programme, with TEXPROCIL acting as the administrative ‘nerve centre’.
Such stringent, specification-based standards ensure that clothing and home textiles made with Kasturi Cotton excel in softness, strength and purity, promising an elevated experience.
Such origin checking also gives importers peace of mind when it comes to cotton compliance issues. “As the world moves away from Xinjiang cotton [in China due to forced labor regulations]Indian cotton offers a robust alternative that companies should consider,” said Dr. Rajagopal. “With initiatives like Kasturi Cotton, Indian cotton can be a source for companies looking for clean cotton that passes the testing, certification and authentication of the country of origin.”
Kasturi Cotton goes further than just supplying top quality cotton. It is also committed to sustainability and education, working with Indian Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to promote best practices and sustainable farming techniques. As an open platform, Kasturi Cotton meets sustainability criteria without compromising on quality by allowing all standards such as the Better Cotton Initiative, Regenagri and Organic Cotton to join the program.
Since its launch, Kasturi Cotton has successfully changed perceptions and highlighted the potential of Indian cotton. Major industry players using Kasturi Cotton have reported significant benefits, including improved operational efficiency, shorter lead times and superior quality results.
Kasturi Cotton is also suitable for eco-friendly end-of-life programs as it consists of 100 percent natural fibers, said Dr. Rajagopal. “Kasturi’s cleaner construction meets recycling goals by reducing the need for intensive cleaning and its superior quality ensures it can withstand multiple recycling/upcycling applications.”
Overall, Kasturi Cotton, with its focus on quality, environmental responsibility and comprehensive traceability, has redefined expectations in the Indian cotton textile industry.
Click here for more information about Kasturi Cotton.
