Traceability and the Dynamics of ‘Conflicted Cotton’
Conflicted cotton is an oft-ignored topic in the fashion industry. But as traceability grows as a subject of interest, conflicted cotton — its origins, and the human rights abuses that surround its production processes — is having a comeback of sorts. The fiber is in demand now more than ever: Global cotton production is expected to rise 6.9 percent in this year to a near-record 126.5 million bales, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And countries such as China, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are the largest cotton consumers in the world, accounting for more than 65 percent of global consumption, as stated in a separate report by Mordor Intelligence. So how can fashion brands ensure the use of ethical, conflict-free cotton? Here, MeiLin Wan, vice president, textile sales, at Applied DNA, a New York-based technology firm that develops counterfeiting technologies, discusses the factors that determine cotton origins, conflicted cotton, and its CertainT platform. WWD: Would you describe the dynamics of “conflicted cotton?” MeiLin Wan: As consumers, we love the look and the feel of cotton; and at the same time, we hear about hidden human rights abuses for cotton. Consumers are unwittingly buying products and may be in the dark
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