Brazilian textile industry stands out with responsible cotton traceability technology

The SouABR project is the first national textile chain traceability initiative using blockchain technology. With it, consumers can have information about the certification of the origin of the cotton, sustainable, used in their clothes. The program was developed by the Brazilian Association of Cotton Producers (Abrapa) with the objective of offering transparency in fashion consumption and stimulating more conscious choices.

The initiative was conceived by Abrapa through the Sou de Algodão movement, in partnership with the brands Reserva and Renner. Among its certified suppliers are the companies Vicunha Têxtil, Incofios, Renauxview and Dalila, which are part of Texbrasil (Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program), founded by Abit (Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).

“The certification of the sustainability of the cotton used by the Brazilian textile industry is a point of pride for the sector and makes us stand out in the international market. We are happy with the participation of the Texbrasil companies in the program”, comments Lilian Kaddissi, Executive Superintendent of Strategic Projects at Abit.

Through a QR Code on the piece of clothing, the consumer can be sure that the cotton used has the socio-environmental certification Responsible Brazilian Cotton (ABR), which gives the industry the commitment of the producers with the three pillars of sustainability (social, environmental, and economic), in addition to informing about the production links: farm, spinning, weaving or knitting, manufacturing, and retail.

Brazil is currently the largest supplier of responsible cotton in the world, with 84% of all its production certified by the ABR. The journey of the certified cotton begins on the farm, where production complies with a complete protocol, which includes more than 180 questions, divided into eight criteria, such as Labor Contract, Prohibition of Child Labor, Prohibition of Slave Labor, Freedom of Association, Prohibition of Discrimination against People, Safety, Occupational Health and Work Environment, Environmental Performance, and Good Agricultural Practices. The audits are annual, individual and performed by certifying companies such as Bureau Veritas and the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT).

“Our customer is more demanding and we are trying to deliver what he asks for: responsibility and transparency,” explains Júlio Cézar Busato, president of the Brazilian Association of Cotton Producers (Abrapa). The Association estimates that the tracking technology of the SouABR program will be available for the entire national textile chain by the year 2023.

About Texbrasil

The Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program (Texbrasil) works with companies in the textile and apparel sector in the development of strategies to conquer the global market. Over 20 years, it has helped around 1600 brands to get on the export trail, doing USD 9 billion in business. The Program is carried out through a partnership between Abit and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).

Source: https://soudealgodao.com.br/souabr/