Organic cotton market grows 20%

According to a report by Textile Exchange (formerly Organic Exchange) released, neither the recession nor unstable economies put a damper on the fast-growing organic textiles industry which grew 20 percent to an estimated $5.61 billion in 2010.

Several brands and retailers more than doubled their usage of organic cotton alone and plan to do so in 2012 as well. Others with large programs are staying the course. As a result, Textile Exchange projects the global organic cotton market will increase another 20 percent in 2011 to result in an estimated $6.2 billion market in 2011 and $7.4 billion market in 2012.

2010 was the first year that Textile Exchange requested data regarding industry use of sustainable fibers including recycled and cellulosic fiber. Two fibers, recycled polyester and Tencel were the two leading fibers in terms of quantity reported by responding companies, with all respondents indicating substantial increases in use of those and other sustainable fibers in the upcoming years. The 2010 results will form the base line for next year’s report.

Textile Exchange